Rapid clearance of Lyme disease spirochetes lacking OspC from skin

Infect Immun. 2007 Mar;75(3):1517-9. doi: 10.1128/IAI.01725-06. Epub 2006 Dec 11.

Abstract

We previously demonstrated that Borrelia burgdorferi requires OspC to colonize a mammalian host. To delineate this requirement, we analyzed the clearance of ospC mutant spirochetes and found that they were eliminated within 48 h. We conclude that B. burgdorferi uses OspC to resist innate host defenses immediately after transmission.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Bacterial* / genetics
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins* / genetics
  • Borrelia burgdorferi / genetics
  • Borrelia burgdorferi / growth & development*
  • Borrelia burgdorferi / immunology*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Immunity, Innate / genetics
  • Lyme Disease / immunology
  • Lyme Disease / microbiology*
  • Lyme Disease / transmission
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / immunology
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / transmission

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
  • OspC protein