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Residual brain infection in relapsing-fever borreliosis

Diego Cadavid1, Marie Sondey, Edwin Garcia

  • 1Department of Neurology and Neuroscience and Center for the Study of Emerging Pathogens, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103, USA. cadavidi@umdnj.edu

The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|April 19, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Residual brain infection (RBI) in relapsing fever (RF) is common, occurring in 19% of immunocompetent mice. This infection can persist as the original Borrelia turicatae serotype or as newly emerged Vsp or Vlp variants.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Neurological involvement is a common feature of spirochetal infections like relapsing fever (RF).
  • Relapsing fever is characterized by antigenic variation through sequential expression of variable lipoproteins (Vsp and Vlp).
  • The persistence of RF borreliae in the brain, termed residual brain infection (RBI), is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phenomenon of residual brain infection (RBI) in relapsing fever (RF).

Main Methods:

  • Residual brain infection (RBI) was studied in immunocompetent mice one month post-inoculation with Borrelia turicatae serotype 1 (Bt1).
  • Infection was assessed by culturing blood and perfused brain samples.
  • Mice deficient in Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2-/-) and severe combined immunodeficient (scid) mice were included for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

  • Severe combined immunodeficient (scid) mice exhibited persistent infection in both blood and brain.
  • Residual brain infection (RBI) was detected in 19% of immunocompetent and TLR2-/- mice.
  • RBI resulted from the persistence of the original Borrelia turicatae serotype (Bt1) or the emergence of new Vsp or Vlp serotypes, with Vsp proteins showing 75% identity.

Conclusions:

  • Residual brain infection (RBI) is a relatively frequent occurrence in relapsing fever (RF).
  • RBI can be caused by the persistence of the initial infecting serotype or by newly emerged serotypes.

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