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DNA test detects Lyme disease in horses
"The method is like having a special, specific 'fishhook' that only grabs Borrelia DNA and not the DNA of other microbes, nor the DNA of the host" - Prof Steven Schutzer.
The method works by isolating DNA from the microorganism causing the disease.  
 
A team of scientists from New Jersey have developed an advanced DNA test capable of identifying Lyme disease in a sick horse.

Professor Steven Schutzer, a professor of medicine at Rutgers University, and his team used their “genomic hybrid capture assay” to detect the disease agent – Borrelia burgdorferi – in a sample of the horse's spinal fluid. 

The test, described in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, works by isolating DNA from the microorganism causing the disease. 

Schutzer explained: "The method is like having a special, specific 'fishhook' that only grabs Borrelia DNA and not the DNA of other microbes, nor the DNA of the host (animal or human). Detecting DNA of the disease is a direct test, meaning we know you have active disease if it's circulating in the blood or spinal fluid.”

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the US, transmitted to humans and animals by ticks. In horses, symptoms can include chronic weight loss, lameness and low-grade fever.

Usually, when a Lyme disease infection is suspected, antibody tests are administered. However, in the case of an 11-year-old Swedish warmblood mare, a standard PCR and antibody test did not detect an infection. 

It was Schutzer's advanced test that ultimately detected the pathogen, allowing Lyme disease to be diagnosed and successfully treated.

Professor Thomas Divers, a veterinary surgeon who led the equine team on the paper, said: "The diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis (Neurologic Lyme disease) in horses is rarely confirmed antemortem and has frustrated veterinarians for years. 

“This is a very promising technique. Focused treatment against B. burgdorferi administered in this case resulted in the horse's complete athletic recovery."

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.