Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Equine abortion associated with the Borrelia parkeri-B. turicatae tick-borne relapsing fever spirochete group.
- Journal:
- Journal of clinical microbiology
- Year:
- 2002
- Authors:
- Walker, R L et al.
- Affiliation:
- School of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A mare experienced a late-term abortion, and researchers found that the cause was linked to a specific group of bacteria known as Borrelia parkeri and Borrelia turicatae, which are spread by ticks and can cause relapsing fever. They identified these bacteria by analyzing genetic material from the liver of the aborted fetus. This study highlights the potential risks that tick-borne infections can pose to pregnant horses. The findings suggest that these bacteria may be a contributing factor in equine abortions.
Abstract
Direct amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and a variable region of the flagellin gene from fetal liver-associated spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia parkeri-B. turicatae tick-borne relapsing fever spirochete group with a late-term abortion in a mare are described.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11923397/