scholarly journals Molecular Analysis of Sequence Heterogeneity among Genes Encoding Decorin Binding Proteins A and B of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 5275-5285 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Roberts ◽  
Brian A. Mullikin ◽  
Raju Lathigra ◽  
Mark S. Hanson
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Genetic Recombination ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Protective Epitope ◽  
Chromosomal Markers ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Sequence Elements ◽  
Conserved Epitope

ABSTRACT Immunization of mice with Borrelia burgdorferi decorin binding protein A (DbpA), one of two gene products of thedbpBA locus, has been shown recently to confer protection against challenge. Hyperimmune DbpA antiserum killed a large number of B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolates of diverse phylogeny and origin, suggesting conservation of the protective epitope(s). In order to evaluate the heterogeneity of DbpA and DbpB and to facilitate defining the conserved epitope(s) of these antigens, the sequences of the dbpA genes from 29 B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolates and of the dbpBgenes from 15 B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolates were determined. The predicted DbpA sequences were fairly heterogeneous among the isolates (58.3 to 100% similarity), but DbpA sequences with the highest similarity tended to group into species previously defined by well-characterized chromosomal markers. In contrast, the predicted DbpB sequences were highly conserved (96.3 to 100% similarity). Substantial diversity in DbpA sequence was seen among isolates previously shown to be killed by antiserum against a single DbpA, suggesting that one or more conserved protective epitopes are composed of noncontiguous amino acids. The observation of individual dbpA alleles with sequence elements characteristic of more than one B. burgdorferi sensu lato species was consistent with a role for genetic recombination in the generation of dbpAdiversity.

scholarly journals First Isolation and Cultivation of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato from Missouri

1998 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Oliver ◽  
T. M. Kollars ◽  
F. W. Chandler ◽  
A. M. James ◽  
E. J. Masters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Surface Protein ◽  
Human Case ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Sylvilagus Floridanus ◽  
B 31

Five Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato isolates from Missouri are described. This represents the first report and characterization of such isolates from that state. The isolates were obtained from either Ixodes dentatus or Amblyomma americanum ticks that had been feeding on cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) from a farm in Bollinger County, Mo., where a human case of Lyme disease had been reported. All isolates were screened immunologically by indirect immunofluorescence by using monoclonal antibodies to B. burgdorferi-specific outer surface protein A (OspA) (antibodies H3TS and H5332), B. burgdorferi-specific OspB (antibody H6831), Borrelia(genus)-specific antiflagellin (antibody H9724), and Borrelia hermsii-specific antibody (antibody H9826). Analysis of the isolates also involved a comparison of their protein profiles by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Finally, the isolates were analyzed by PCR with six pairs of primers known to amplify selected DNA target sequences specifically found in the reference strain B. burgdorferi B-31. Although some genetic variability was detected among the five isolates as well as between them and the B-31 strain, enough similarities were found to classify them as B. burgdorferi sensu lato.

scholarly journals Serological Evidence of Natural Exposure to Tick-Borne Pathogens in Horses, Romania

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 373
Author(s):  
Andreea Monica Bogdan ◽  
Mariana Ionita ◽  
Ioan Liviu Mitrea
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Serological Evidence ◽  
North Central ◽  
Natural Exposure

The purpose of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of selected tick-borne-pathogens (TBPs) among Romanian horses. For this, a total of 223 animals originating from north, central, and southeast Romania, including horses from stud farms (n = 118) and working horses (n = 105), were tested using a commercial rapid ELISA-based test. Overall, 10.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.7–15.1%) of the tested horses were seropositive for antibodies (Ab) against Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Additionally, 18.8% (95% CI: 13.9–24.6%) and 0.5% (95% CI: 0.01–2.5%) of horses were seropositive for Ab against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Ehrlichia spp., respectively. Among the tested horses, 3.1% were seroreactive to two or three pathogens. These findings show the natural exposure of Romanian horses to zoonotic tick-borne pathogens and emphasize the need for further studies to better understand the epidemiology of equine tick-borne diseases in Romania.

scholarly journals Surveillance of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Suburban Natural Habitats of Central Maryland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T Milholland ◽  
Lars Eisen ◽  
Robyn M Nadolny ◽  
Andrias Hojgaard ◽  
Erika T Machtinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Questing Ticks ◽  
Tick Vectors

Abstract Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are increasing in the eastern United States and there is a lack of research on integrated strategies to control tick vectors. Here we present results of a study on tick-borne pathogens detected from tick vectors and rodent reservoirs from an ongoing 5-yr tick suppression study in the Lyme disease-endemic state of Maryland, where human-biting tick species, including Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) (the primary vector of Lyme disease spirochetes), are abundant. During the 2017 tick season, we collected 207 questing ticks and 602 ticks recovered from 327 mice (Peromyscus spp. (Rodentia: Cricetidae)), together with blood and ear tissue from the mice, at seven suburban parks in Howard County. Ticks were selectively tested for the presence of the causative agents of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato [s.l.]), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), babesiosis (Babesia microti), ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and ‘Panola Mountain’ Ehrlichia) and spotted fever group rickettsiosis (Rickettsia spp.). Peromyscus ear tissue and blood samples were tested for Bo. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s), A. phagocytophilum, Ba. microti, and Borrelia miyamotoi. We found 13.6% (15/110) of questing I. scapularis nymphs to be Bo. burgdorferi s.l. positive and 1.8% (2/110) were A. phagocytophilum positive among all sites. Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. was found in 71.1% (54/76) of I. scapularis nymphs removed from mice and 58.8% (194/330) of captured mice. Results from study on tick abundance and pathogen infection status in questing ticks, rodent reservoirs, and ticks feeding on Peromyscus spp. will aid efficacy evaluation of the integrated tick management measures being implemented.

scholarly journals Hematological Features in Sheep with IgG and IgM Antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Labrini V. Athanasiou ◽  
Victoria M. Spanou ◽  
Eleni G. Katsogiannou ◽  
Panagiotis D. Katsoulos
Keyword(s):  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Blood Analysis ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Igm Antibodies ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B ◽  
Group D ◽  
Immunofluorescence Antibody

Exposure of sheep to Borreliaburgdorferi sensulato (s.I.) complex, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis (LB), has been reported in tick-abundant areas worldwide, while no data have been reported in Greece. The aim of the study was to identify the hematological alterations in sheep with seropositivity against Borrelia burgdorferi (s.I.). Blood samples were obtained from 318 tick infested sheep for blood analysis and serological determination of IgG and IgM antibodies against B. burgdorferi by indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) assay after exclusion of endo-ectoparasites and other tick-borne infections. A total number of 162 sheep met the inclusion criteria, allocated in four groups based on the presence or absence of IgG and/or IgM; sheep found negative for IgM and IgG (Group A), positive for IgM (Group B), positive for both IgM and IgG (Group C) and positive for IgG (Group D). Anemia, thrombocytopenia and normal or decreased leukocyte count, mainly due to lymphopenia were the main hematological features observed in seropositive sheep. The presence of these features raises the suspicion of Borrelia infection in tick infested sheep. The seropositivity of 23.58% in sheep raises concerns of Borrelia circulation, especially in rural areas and potential risk of transmission to humans.

scholarly journals Sequence-specific activation of transcription by adenovirus EIa products is observed in HeLa cells but not in 293 cells.

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Leff ◽  
P Chambon
Keyword(s):  
Hela Cells ◽  
Upstream Region ◽  
Gene Products ◽  
Promoter Regions ◽  
Chimeric Promoter ◽  
293 Cells ◽  
Activation Of Transcription ◽  
Upstream Promoter ◽  
Sequence Elements ◽  
Responsive Element

The adenovirus EIa gene products activate transcription from the viral EIII and EIIaE promoters. We studied the mechanism of this stimulation by constructing a series of chimeric promoter recombinants containing the upstream regions of the EIII and EIIaE promoters linked to the TATA box-start-site regions of the viral major late and EIIa late promoters. By introducing these recombinants into HeLa cells together with recombinants producing the EIa gene products, we demonstrated that the induction of EIII and EIIaE transcription by EIa 13S and 12S mRNA products is dependent on sequences located in the upstream region (approximately -40 to -250) of these promoters. In addition, we showed that the major late and EIIa late upstream promoter regions do not contain such EIa-responsive sequence elements. In contrast, after transfection of these chimeric promoter recombinants into 293 cells (which constitutively express the EIa proteins), we found that their relative levels of transcription are similar and markedly different from those observed when they are cotransfected into HeLa cells with EIa protein-producing recombinants. We conclude that the efficiency of transcription from a given promoter in 293 cells is not necessarily related to the presence of a specific EIa-responsive element.

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