FASTest® BOR in TICK is a rapid immunochromatographic assay for the qualitative detection of Borrelia antigens in the tick.

Lyme borreliosis is present in animals and humans world-wide, mostly in the northern hemisphere. The castor bean tick Ixodes ricinus (“wood tick”) is said to be the main vector for borrelia (spiral bacteria, Spirochaetaceae) of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B.b.s.l.) complex. Ca. 19 species, among them the human-pathogen species B. b. sensu stricto (B.b.s.s.), B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. bavariensis and B. spielmanii belong to this complex. According to current knowledge, the pathogenicity for the dog is only proven for B.b.s.s.

Whether and how many Borrelia are contained in a tick is dependent on development stage of the tick, number of blood meals and on seasonal and geographical influences. Studies showed prevalence rates up to 50% in endemic areas. Reservoirs for Borrelia are small rodents, birds, roes and deer. Here, even larval and nymph-stage ticks get infected when sucking blood.

Borrelia live in the intestinal tract of ticks and are passed on to animals and humans via tick stings. About 12h after the sting, Borrelia located in the tick intestine are transferred via the salivary glands of the tick into the sting wound. The peak of Borrelia transmission is about 72 h after sting.

Due to the long incubation time, symptoms like fever, varying lameness, lymphadenopathy, inflammation of muscles and joints appear not before weeks or months after the tick sting. The first and characteristic symptom for borreliosis in humans, a circular flush (Erythema migrans), is scarce in animals. Furthermore, it is often overlooked due to the fur.

The diagnosis and therapy of borreliosis in animals is often very difficult based on long incubation times, prolonged laboratory tests as well as the often unfavourable healing process. Thus, early diagnostics of the sucking tick is very important. So far, the direct detection of Borrelia in the tick only was possible with a time-consuming and costly test via PCR in a laboratory.

Using FASTest^® BOR in TICK, potential Borrelia antigens in ticks can be detected fast, simple and reliable on-site. In case of a positive test result, diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic measures can be initiated immediately.