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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
08:23
Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
Published on: August 31, 2013
Tick-host-pathogen interactions in Lyme borreliosis
Joppe W R Hovius1, Alje P van Dam, Erol Fikrig
1University of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. j.w.hovius@amc.uva.nl
Trends in Parasitology
|July 28, 2007
Summary
Borrelia burgdorferi uses specific genes to survive in ticks and hosts. Understanding these genes and tick molecules may lead to new vaccines against Lyme disease.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Vector-borne diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Lyme borreliosis is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted by Ixodes ticks.
- Borrelia burgdorferi adapts to diverse environments in ticks and hosts.
- Understanding pathogen survival strategies is crucial for disease control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review Borrelia burgdorferi genes preferentially expressed in tick and host environments.
- To describe how gene products aid spirochete survival during the enzootic cycle.
- To explore the role of tick genes (TROSPA, salp15) in Borrelia burgdorferi survival and transmission.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on gene expression in Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Analysis of Borrelia burgdorferi-Ixodes scapularis interactions.
- Discussion of potential vaccine development strategies.
Main Results:
- Borrelia burgdorferi preferentially expresses specific genes in tick and host.
- Selected gene products facilitate spirochete survival and transmission.
- Borrelia burgdorferi enhances expression of specific Ixodes scapularis genes (TROSPA, salp15).
Conclusions:
- Borrelia burgdorferi employs sophisticated survival strategies involving differential gene expression.
- Tick-derived molecules like TROSPA and salp15 are important for spirochete survival and transmission.
- Vector-antigen-based vaccines represent a promising approach to prevent Lyme disease transmission.
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