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Ultrastructural differences among spirochetes isolated from patients with Lyme disease and related disorders, and
Abstract:
Previous studies on cells of strains B31 isolated in the U.S.A. from Ixodes dammini and strain G25 isolated in Sweden from Ixodes ricinus, showed that their ultrastructure was similar, but not identical. For this reason the studies were extended to spirochetes isolated directly from patients with Lyme disease and related disorders. Included in the present study were three strains isolated from skin, blood and spinal fluid, respectively, from patients with Lyme disease, two strains from patients with erythema chronicum migrans and one strain from a patient with acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. Three additional strains isolated in Sweden from Ixodes ricinus were also studied. All spirochetes were examined after negative straining with 1% ammonium molybdate. The cells of each individual strain were identical except for one strain isolated from a tick. This isolate was found to consist of two morphologically different spirochetes. Comparison of morphological features of cells from various isolates revealed certain differences. The cells of the different strains could be divided into at least four groups for which cell size and shape as well as number of flagella varied. By morphological criteria, all cells were found to belong to the genus Borrelia.
Insights
Ultrastructural analysis of Borrelia spirochetes from Lyme disease patients and ticks revealed distinct morphological groups. These findings highlight variations within Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme disease.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Medical Entomology
Background:
- Previous studies indicated ultrastructural similarities but not identity between Borrelia strains B31 (USA) and G25 (Sweden).
- Further investigation was warranted due to observed differences in tick-borne spirochetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the ultrastructure of Borrelia spirochetes isolated directly from patients with Lyme disease and related conditions.
- To identify morphological variations among different Borrelia isolates from human and tick sources.
Main Methods:
- Spirochetes were isolated from patient samples (skin, blood, spinal fluid) and Ixodes ticks.
- Morphological examination was performed using negative staining with 1% ammonium molybdate.
- Cell size, shape, and flagella number were analyzed for comparative purposes.
Main Results:
- Most individual strains exhibited uniform cell morphology, with one tick isolate showing two distinct spirochete types.
- Morphological features varied across different strains, allowing classification into at least four groups based on size, shape, and flagella.
- All examined spirochetes were identified as belonging to the genus Borrelia based on morphological criteria.
Conclusions:
- Borrelia spirochetes from Lyme disease patients and ticks display significant morphological heterogeneity.
- These variations suggest distinct characteristics among Borrelia strains, potentially impacting disease presentation or diagnosis.
- Morphological analysis confirms the genus Borrelia for all studied isolates.