Live Attenuated Borrelia burgdorferi Targeted Mutants in an Infectious Strain Background Protect Mice from Challenge Infection.

Borrelia burgdorferi, B. garinii, and B. afzelii are all agents of Lyme disease in different geographic locations.

The β₃-integrin ligand of Borrelia burgdorferi is critical for infection of mice but not ticks.

P66 is a Borrelia burgdorferi surface protein with β₃ integrin binding and channel forming activities. In this study, the role of P66 in mammalian and tick infection was examined. B.