The anti-Borrelia Dog (IgG) test identifies antibodies to eight antigens of B. burgdorferi at the early and later stages of infection in a single sample with 100% sensitivity. An interpretation of the results is submitted with the test report. The assay allows secure and sensitive discrimination of vaccine-derived OspA antibodies from actual infections using VlsE, OspC and other antigens to differentiate between Borrelia-specific and non-specific reactions.

​Specific antigens used in this test: VlsE, a specific surface lipoprotein of B. burgdorferi, is known as a variable major protein-like sequence expressed (VlsE). VlsE is one of the most important antigens in Lyme disease diagnostics. Infected dogs show an early strong IgG response to VlsE.

​p100 protein, flagellin and an internal flagellin fragment of B. burgdorferi is the significant antigen for the late immune response to Borrelia. Generally, IgG antibodies against the p100 are detectible in all dogs with late Lyme borreliosis.

​OspA (p31) – outer surface lipoprotein (Osp) of B. burgdorferi. The antibodies to OspA are usually observed in vaccinated dogs. OspA is downregulated during infection. Thus, antibodies to OspA are generally undetectable after natural infection in most non-vaccinated dogs.

​OspC (p25) – is another outer surface lipoprotein (Osp) of B. burgdorferi. OspC is immunogenic during early infection and can produce protective antibody responses to B. burgdorferi infection. Antibodies to OspC can be detected after three weeks of infection. The level of antibodies to OspC decreases after seven to eleven weeks and is undetectable between four to five months after infection.

​p41 (Flagellin or Flagellar filament 41kD core protein) is a protein found in the hollow cylinder forming the filament in B. burgdorferi flagellum. The flagella play a role in the Borrelia invasion of host tissue. p41 is associated with delayed IgG response and is typically detected in late Lyme borreliosis. The p41 IgG response persists with a prolonged illness.

​p39 protein, or Basic membrane protein A (BmpA), is the immunogenic cell membrane component presented on the outer surface of B. burgdorferi. BmpA is an important antigen for a B. burgdorferi infection diagnostic. IgG antibodies to p39 are frequently observed in Lyme borreliosis cases, mainly in late infections. However, these antibodies can also be detected in the early stages of Lyme disease (BmpA is expressed during the invasion of the spirochete and in the development of the arthritis of Lyme disease in dogs).

​p18 is the variable region of the Borrelia burgdorferi flagellin (an 18-kDa fragment). The IgG antibodies against the 18-kDa proteins are frequently detected in late Lyme disease infections.

​p21 protein is a member of the OspE-F gene family. Specific IgG antibodies against p21protein can be detected at either early or late stages of Lyme disease.