Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Arthritis and panuveitis as manifestations of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in a Wisconsin pony.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1986
- Authors:
- Burgess, E C et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A pony in Wisconsin developed serious health issues due to an infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. This infection led to inflammation in the eye (called panuveitis) and painful swelling in the joints (arthritis). Tests showed a high level of antibodies against the bacteria in both the pony's blood and the fluid around its joints. While other horses had shown antibodies to this bacteria before, this is the first time such severe illness has been reported in a horse. The treatment details are not provided, but the case highlights the potential for serious disease from this infection in ponies.
Abstract
Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi caused panuveitis and arthritis in a pony. Spirochetes were detected by direct immunofluorescence in the anterior chamber of the eye. The carpal joints had severe degenerative joint disease, with synovial proliferation. The synovium and serum had B burgdorferi antibody titers of 1:1024. The pony lived in an area of Wisconsin where infection with B burgdorferi is endemic in human beings. Previously, serum antibodies to B burgdorferi had been found in horses, but disease had not been reported.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3793582/