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Related Experiment Videos

Complement-mediated serum sensitivity among spirochetes that cause Lyme disease

A P van Dam1, A Oei, R Jaspars

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. A.P.vanDam@amc.uva.nl

Infection and Immunity
|April 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes exhibit varying sensitivity to normal human serum (NHS), impacting complement activation. This serum sensitivity is linked to the genetic makeup of different Borrelia isolates.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • Borrelia burgdorferi is a bacterium that causes Lyme disease.
  • Human serum contains complement proteins that can kill bacteria.
  • The interaction between Borrelia and human complement is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the sensitivity of Borrelia burgdorferi-related isolates to normal human serum (NHS).
  • To determine the ability of these isolates to activate the complement system.
  • To correlate serum sensitivity with the genetic background of the isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Testing Borrelia isolates' sensitivity to NHS using microscopy and plating.
  • Assessing complement-mediated effects by manipulating serum components (heat, EDTA, deficiencies).

Related Experiment Videos

  • Analyzing complement pathway involvement (classical, alternative) using deficient sera.
  • Measuring C3 activation via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

    • Main Results:

    • Exposure to NHS (≥10%) caused immobilization, blebbing, and killing of serum-sensitive Borrelia garinii isolates.
    • Serum sensitivity was confirmed to be complement-mediated.
    • Serum sensitivity varied significantly among Borrelia species and strains: B. garinii (types 5/6) and VS116/M19 were sensitive, while B. afzelii and some B. garinii (type 4) and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto were resistant.
    • Both classical and alternative complement pathways were implicated in bactericidal activity.
    • All isolates activated C3 in NHS, regardless of genetic background.

    Conclusions:

    • Borrelia burgdorferi-related spirochetes display a spectrum of in vitro serum sensitivity and resistance.
    • Serum sensitivity is strongly associated with the genetic characteristics of the Borrelia isolate.
    • Understanding this variability is crucial for comprehending Borrelia pathogenesis and host immune response.