Diagnosis of Lyme Disease in Veterinary Medicine.

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii, which is most commonly transmitted through the bite of infected ticks. 

This zoonotic infection can affect both humans and animals. Dogs are the most affected, with typical symptoms including joint swelling, fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite.

Detection and Analysis Process

The body’s immune system produces antibodies in response to exposure to the bacteria. Lyme disease tests measure antibodies against Borrelia in the blood. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend two types of tests for the detection and diagnostic confirmation of Lyme disease: an immunoassay followed by a confirmatory Western Blot in case of a positive result.

Collection and Isolation of Antibodies in Serum for Diagnosis

The antibodies used for these tests are obtained from serum, which requires collecting a blood sample from the infected animal. This sample is taken in a tube without anticoagulant and left to stand for about 30 minutes at room temperature to allow clot formation.

Subsequently, the sample is centrifuged at 1,500xG for 15 minutes at 4°C, causing the clot to precipitate due to its weight, leaving the serum, which contains the antibodies of interest, in the supernatant. 

Finally, to isolate the antibodies from the serum, sonication is first used to break the cells, releasing both the antibodies inside and those attached to the cell membrane. The sample is then centrifuged at 1,500xG for 15 minutes at 4°C to separate the cellular debris (heavier and sedimented) from the proteins of interest (lighter and remain in the supernatant). Among these proteins are the antibodies, which will be analyzed in the corresponding test.

The Consul 22 R centrifuge is ideal for these centrifugation steps, offering the capacity and optimal conditions for precise separations, as well as efficient temperature control that maintains the sample at 4°C, preserving the integrity of the antibodies and the quality of the serum.

Thus, the analysis of antibodies in serum is a simple and quick procedure, facilitated by the centrifugation steps, which help streamline the process and ensure proper separation of elements in the sample.