A molecular marker for the identification of the zoonotic reservoirs of Lyme borreliosis by analysis of the blood meal in its European vector Ixodes ricinus

Article Abstract:

The mitochondrially encoded cytochrome b gene can be used as a molecular marker to discriminate between the reservoir host species of the Lyme borreliosis spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi sensus lato, in its European vector Ixodes ricinus. The cytochrome b product remains stable as a marker for 200 days after larval ingestion. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification has been used for the detection of the larval host blood meal in nymphal I. ricinus ticks. The amplicon size and successful PCR amplification of host DNA show an inverse correlation.

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Characterization of spirochetes isolated from ticks (Ixodes tanuki, Ixodes turdus, and Ixodes columnae) and comparison of the sequences with those of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato strains

Article Abstract:

Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA of the spirochetes isolated from Ixodes tanuki, I. turdus and I. columnae shows that the spirochetes are genetically distinct from the other known Borrelia strains. The isolates from Ixodes tanuki, I. turdus and I. columnae have been designated as Hk501, Ya501 and Am501 respectively. The isolates have their own tick vectors with enzootic cycles, and are different from each other and the Borrelia species causing Lyme disease. A comparison of the 16S rRNA indicates that Am501 is related to Hk501.

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Failure of Ixodes ticks to inherit Borrelia afzelii infection

Article Abstract:

Conditions that foster inherited infection by Lyme disease spirochetes in Ixodes ticks have been studied. Dark-field microscopy, immunofluorescence, polymerase chain reaction and serial passage were used in examining progenies of ticks infected with Borrelia afzelii. Results reveal the absence of inherited infection, regardless of instar or gender infection or frequency of exposure. This finding indicates that vector ticks do not inherit Lyme spirochetes.

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