The infectivity gene
bbk13
is important for multiple phases of the
Borrelia burgdorferi
enzootic cycle
Lyme disease is a multi-stage inflammatory disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through the bite of an infected Ixodes scapularis tick. We previously discovered a B. burgdorferi infectivity gene, bbk13 , that facilitates mammalian infection by promoting spirochete population expansion in the skin inoculation site. Initial characterization of bbk13 was carried out using an intradermal needle inoculation model of mouse infection, which does not capture the complex interplay of the pathogen-vector-host triad of natural transmission. Herein, we aimed to understand the role of bbk13 in the enzootic cycle of B. burgdorferi . B. burgdorferi lacking bbk13 were unable to be acquired by naive larvae fed on needle inoculated mice. Using a capsule-feeding approach to restrict tick feeding activity to a defined skin site, we determined that delivery by tick bite alleviated the population expansion defect in the skin observed after needle inoculation of Δ bbk13 B. burgdorferi . Despite overcoming the early barrier in the skin, Δ bbk13 B. burgdorferi remained attenuated for distal tissue colonization after tick transmission. Disseminated infection of Δ bbk13 B. burgdorferi was improved in needle inoculated immunocompromised mice. Together, we established that bbk13 is crucial to the maintenance of B. burgdorferi in the enzootic cycle and that bbk13 is necessary beyond early infection in the skin, likely contributing to host immune evasion. Moreover, our data highlight the critical interplay between the pathogen, vector, and host as well as the distinct molecular genetic requirements for B. burgdorferi to survive at the pathogen-vector-host interface and to achieve productive disseminated infection.