Borrelia miyamotoi BipA-like protein, BipM, is a candidate serodiagnostic antigen distinguishing between Lyme disease and relapsing fever Borrelia infections.

A Borrelia miyamotoi gene with partial homology to bipA of relapsing fever spirochetes Borrelia hermsii and Borrelia turicatae was identified by a GenBank basic alignment search analysis. We hypothesized that this gene product may be an immunogenic antigen as described for other relapsing fever Borrelia (RFB) and could serve as a serological marker for B. miyamotoi infections.

Structural Elucidation of a Protective B Cell Epitope on Outer Surface Protein C (OspC) of the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borreliella burgdorferi.

Outer surface protein C (OspC) plays a pivotal role in mediating tick-to-host transmission and infectivity of the Lyme disease spirochete, Borreliella burgdorferi. OspC is a helical-rich homodimer that interacts with tick salivary proteins, as well as components of the mammalian immune system. Several decades ago, it was shown that the OspC-specific monoclonal antibody, B5, was able to passively protect mice from experimental tick-transmitted infection by B.

Analysis of variable major protein antigenic variation in the relapsing fever spirochete, Borrelia miyamotoi, in response to polyclonal antibody selection pressure.

Borrelia miyamotoi is a tick-transmitted spirochete that is genetically grouped with relapsing fever Borrelia and possesses multiple archived pseudogenes that encode variable major proteins (Vmps). Vmps are divided into two groups based on molecular size; variable large proteins (Vlps) and variable small proteins (Vsps). Relapsing fever Borrelia undergo Vmp gene conversion at a single expression locus to generate new serotypes by antigenic switching which is the basis for immune evasion that causes relapsing fever in patients.

Modification of the multiplex plasmid PCR assay for Borrelia miyamotoi strain LB-2001 based on the complete genome sequence reflecting genomic rearrangements differing from strain CT13-2396.

The genome of Borrelia spp. consists of an approximate 1 megabase chromosome and multiple linear and circular plasmids. We previously described a multiplex PCR assay to detect plasmids in the North American Borrelia miyamotoi strains LB-2001 and CT13-2396.

A transwell assay method to evaluate Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto migratory chemoattraction toward tick saliva proteins.

We developed a transwell assay to quantify migration of the Lyme disease agent, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), toward Ixodes scapularis salivary gland proteins.

Borrelia miyamotoi strain LB-2001 retains plasmids and infectious phenotype throughout continuous culture passages as evaluated by multiplex PCR.

Borrelia miyamotoi is a tick-borne spirochete of the relapsing fever borrelia group and an emerging pathogen of public health significance. The genomes of relapsing fever borreliae and Lyme disease borreliae consist of multiple linear and circular plasmids in addition to the chromosome. Previous work with B.

Characterization of a Borrelia miyamotoi membrane antigen (BmaA) for serodiagnosis of Borrelia miyamotoi disease.

Borrelia miyamotoi is a tick-borne pathogen that causes Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD), an emerging infectious disease of increasing public health significance. B. miyamotoi is transmitted by the same tick vector (Ixodes spp.

Evaluation of Patient IgM and IgG Reactivity Against Multiple Antigens for Improvement of Serodiagnostic Testing for Early Lyme Disease.

Serologic testing is the standard for laboratory diagnosis and confirmation of Lyme disease. Serodiagnostic assays to detect antibodies against , the agent of Lyme borreliosis, are used for detection of infection. However, serologic testing within the first month of infection is less sensitive as patients' antibody responses continue to develop.

Immunoproteomic analysis of Borrelia miyamotoi for the identification of serodiagnostic antigens.

The tick-borne spirochete, Borrelia miyamotoi, is an emerging pathogen of public health significance. Current B. miyamotoi serodiagnostic testing depends on reactivity against GlpQ which is not highly sensitive on acute phase serum samples.

Evaluation of in vivo expressed Borrelia burgdorferi antigens for improved IgM serodiagnosis of early Lyme disease.

Improved serologic tests are needed for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of early stage Lyme disease. We evaluated the 3 antigens currently used for 2-tiered IgM immunoblot testing (FlaB, OspC, and BmpA) in combination with 3 additional antigens (BBA65, BBA70, and BBA73) and measured the sensitivity and specificity against a serum repository of positive and negative controls. Using 3 statistical methods for positivity cutoff determinations and scoring criteria, we found increased sensitivities for early Lyme disease when 2 of 6 antigens were positive as compared with the 2 of 3 antigen IgM criteria currently used for second-tier immunoblot scoring.

Human neuroglial cells internalize Borrelia burgdorferi by coiling phagocytosis mediated by Daam1.

Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme borreliosis, can elude hosts' innate and adaptive immunity as part of the course of infection. The ability of B. burgdorferi to invade or be internalized by host cells in vitro has been proposed as a mechanism for the pathogen to evade immune responses or antimicrobials.

Immunization of mice with Borrelia burgdorferi lp54 gene encoded recombinant proteins does not provide protection against tick transmitted infectious challenge.

The Borrelia burgdorferi outer surface membrane proteins BBA65, BBA66, BBA69, BBA70, and BBA73 were tested for their ability to confer protection against B. burgdorferi infection challenge. Mice were immunized with recombinant forms of the proteins singly or in combinations.

Evaluation of Selected Borrelia burgdorferi lp54 Plasmid-Encoded Gene Products Expressed during Mammalian Infection as Antigens To Improve Serodiagnostic Testing for Early Lyme Disease.

Laboratory testing for the diagnosis of Lyme disease is performed primarily by serologic assays and is accurate for detection beyond the acute stage of the infection. Serodiagnostic assays to detect the early stages of infection, however, are limited in their sensitivity, and improvement is warranted. We analyzed a series of Borrelia burgdorferi proteins known to be induced within feeding ticks and/or during mammalian infection for their utility as serodiagnostic markers against a comprehensive panel of Lyme disease patient serum samples.

pncA and bptA are not sufficient to complement Ixodes scapularis colonization and persistence by Borrelia burgdorferi in a linear plasmid lp25-deficient background.

The complex segmented genome of Borrelia burgdorferi is comprised of a linear chromosome along with numerous linear and circular plasmids essential for tick and/or mammalian infectivity. The pathogenic necessity for specific borrelial plasmids has been identified; most notably, infections of the tick vector and mammalian host both require linear plasmid 25 (lp25). Genes carried on lp25, specifically bptA and pncA, are postulated to play a role for B.

Evaluation of the Borrelia burgdorferi BBA64 protein as a protective immunogen in mice.

The Borrelia burgdorferi bba64 gene product is a surface-localized lipoprotein synthesized within mammalian and tick hosts and is involved in vector transmission of disease. These properties suggest that BBA64 may be a vaccine candidate against Lyme borreliosis. In this study, protective immunity against B.

Borrelia burgdorferi bba66 gene inactivation results in attenuated mouse infection by tick transmission.

The impact of the Borrelia burgdorferi surface-localized immunogenic lipoprotein BBA66 on vector and host infection was evaluated by inactivating the encoding gene, bba66, and characterizing the mutant phenotype throughout the natural mouse-tick-mouse cycle. The BBA66-deficient mutant isolate, Bb(ΔA66), remained infectious in mice by needle inoculation of cultured organisms, but differences in spirochete burden and pathology in the tibiotarsal joint were observed relative to the parental wild-type (WT) strain. Ixodes scapularis larvae successfully acquired Bb(ΔA66) following feeding on infected mice, and the organisms persisted in these ticks through the molt to nymphs.

Borrelia burgdorferi visualized in Ixodes scapularis tick excrement by immunofluorescence.

The enzootic cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, involves Ixodes spp. ticks and vertebrates. Resident tick Borrelia, harbored inside the midgut, are eventually expelled with the tick's saliva into the vertebrate host when a tick consumes a blood meal.

Saliva, salivary gland, and hemolymph collection from Ixodes scapularis ticks.

Ticks are found worldwide and afflict humans with many tick-borne illnesses. Ticks are vectors for pathogens that cause Lyme disease and tick-borne relapsing fever (Borrelia spp.), Rocky Mountain Spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii), ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia chaffeensis and E.

Analysis of Borrelia burgdorferi Surface Proteins as Determinants in Establishing Host Cell Interactions.

Borrelia burgdorferi infection causes Lyme borreliosis in humans, a condition which can involve a systemic spread of the organism to colonize various tissues and organs. If the infection is left untreated by antimicrobials, it can lead to manifestations including, arthritis, carditis, and/or neurological problems. Identification and characterization of B.

Functional analysis of the Borrelia burgdorferi bba64 gene product in murine infection via tick infestation.

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, is transmitted to humans from the bite of Ixodes spp. ticks. During the borrelial tick-to-mammal life cycle, B.

Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi DNA in tick feces provides evidence for organism shedding during vector feeding.

Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, is transmitted to a susceptible host by Ixodes spp. tick bites. However, there is uncertainty whether B.

The bba64 gene of Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease agent, is critical for mammalian infection via tick bite transmission.

The spirochetal agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is transmitted by bites of Ixodes ticks to mammalian reservoir hosts and humans. The mechanism(s) by which the organism is trafficked from vector to host is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that a B.

Borrelia burgdorferi expression of the bba64, bba65, bba66, and bba73 genes in tissues during persistent infection in mice.

Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease in humans, is vectored between mammalian hosts in nature by Ixodes ticks. The organism adapts to diverse environments encountered throughout the enzootic cycle by differentially expressing essential gene products to survive the specialized conditions, whether in ticks or warm-blooded hosts. However, little is known regarding the identity and/or function of B.