Epidemiological studies in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have shown a high prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi-infected ticks. A total of 17 B. burgdorferi sensu lato strains were isolated from ticks and investigated by Western blots (immunoblot) with eight monoclonal anti-bodies against different epitopes of the outer surface protein A (OspA). Except for one, all strains could be classified using this system. The majority of strains belonged to the B. garinii-associated OspA serotypes 3, 5 and 6. Three isolates were classified as OspA serotype 2 (B. afzelii). B. burgdorferi sensu stricto strains (OspA serotype 1) as well as B. garinii-associated OspA serotype 4 were not present.

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