Complete genome sequence of Borrelia afzelii K78 and comparative genome analysis.

The main Borrelia species causing Lyme borreliosis in Europe and Asia are Borrelia afzelii, B. garinii, B. burgdorferi and B.

Multiplex PCR as a tool for validating plasmid content of Borrelia burgdorferi.

Borrelia burgdorferi has an unusual genomic structure containing 21 plasmids. These plasmids carry genes that are essential for infectivity and survival of the spirochetes in vivo. Several plasmids are lost during cultivation in vitro, which might lead to a heterogeneous population after multiple passages and loss of infectivity in laboratory animals.