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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
07:20
Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR
Published on: February 4, 2018
Taxonomy of Borrelia spp
B Wilske1, J F Anderson, G Baranton
1Max von Pettenkofer Institute, University of Munich, Germany.
Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. Supplementum
|January 1, 1991
Summary
Phenotypic and genetic analysis reveal Borrelia burgdorferi may include distinct genomic species. Further research is needed to fully characterize these diverse Borrelia burgdorferi strains and subspecies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Immunology
Background:
- Increasingly heterogeneous Borrelia isolates challenge current species delineation.
- Phenotypic variants of Borrelia burgdorferi differ from the established American type strain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss phenotypic and genotypic characters for differentiating Borrelia burgdorferi strains.
- To characterize Borrelia burgdorferi isolates at the subspecies level.
- To explore potential reorganisation in Borrelia species delineation.
Main Methods:
- Discussion of ultrastructure, antigen structure, and genotypic characters by experts.
- Analysis of phenotypic and genotypic differences in Borrelia strains from various hosts and vectors.
- Utilisation of restriction endonuclease analysis, DNA hybridization, and plasmid analysis.
Main Results:
- Borrelia burgdorferi may encompass multiple genomic species sharing common epitopes.
- Significant heterogeneity was observed at the subspecies level.
- A serotyping system using monoclonal antibody reactivity against outer surface protein OspA was proposed.
Conclusions:
- Current typing methods are limited by the use of different strains.
- Future research requires analysis of diverse strains to define genotypic clusters and phenotypic characters.
- Close inter-researcher cooperation is essential for advancing Borrelia classification.
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