Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Encephalitis associated with Borrelia burgdorferi infection in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1987
- Authors:
- Burgess, E C & Mattison, M
- Affiliation:
- Department of Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A horse in Wisconsin developed encephalitis, which is inflammation of the brain, due to an infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Tests showed that the bacteria were present in the horse's brain, but there was no sign of rabies. Blood tests revealed a high level of antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, indicating a strong immune response, while tests for other viruses affecting the brain were negative. The treatment details are not provided, but the outcome suggests that the horse was affected by this specific infection.
Abstract
Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi was associated with encephalitis in a horse. The horse lived in an area of Wisconsin endemic for B burgdorferi infection. Borrelia burgdorferi was isolated from the brain, but rabies virus was not detected in the brain. Serum obtained from the horse had a B burgdorferi antibody titer of 1:2,048, but was negative for antibodies to eastern and western encephalomyelitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3692996/