Remains of infection

Sleeper cells: the stringent response and persistence in the Borreliella (Borrelia) burgdorferi enzootic cycle

“…The hypothesized active B. burgdorferi stringent response in the first 24-48 h of nymph feeding would coincide with observed borrelial cell blebs, transient round forms and formation of biofilm-like networks and aggregates, and expression of borrelial adhesins for tick epithelial cell receptors together with adhesion-mediated motility through the gut epithelial cells (Fig. 2) (Pal et al, 2004;Ferullo and Lovett, 2008;Traxler et al, 2008;Dunham-Ems et al, 2009;2012;Srivastava and de Silva, 2009;Zhang et al, 2011;Meril€ ainen et al, 2015;Gupta et al, 2016). It is plausible that the stringent response mediates these processes since the stringent response in B. burgdorferi (like that in other bacteria) modulates expression of genes of the mevalonate pathway involved in cell wall morphogenesis, inhibition of motility, formation of aggregates and biofilms, and quorum sensing (Potrykus and Cashel, 2008;Dalebroux and Swanson, 2012;Boutte and Crosson, 2013;Arnold et al, 2015;Bugrysheva et al, 2015;Drecktrah et al, 2015;Gupta et al, 2016).…”

“…It generates the second messenger cyclic diguanylate monophosphate (c-di-GMP) and stimulates utilization of glycerol and other functions necessary for survival in ticks (Rogers et al, 2009;Freedman et al, 2010;He et al, 2011;2014;Pappas et al, 2011;Novak et al, 2014). In contrast, the regulatory axis mediated by RpoN, RpoS and the Hk2-Rrp2 TCS modulates expression of genes essential for tick transmission and mammalian infection (H€ ubner et al, 2001;Caimano et al, 2004;Fisher et al, 2005;Smith et al, 2007;Boardman et al, 2008;Ouyang et al, 2008;2012). This second TCS regulatory axis also represses glycerol utilization and many other functions needed by B. burgdorferi for proliferation in ticks but not in the mammalian host where glucose, a preferred carbon source, is readily available (Caimano et al, 2007;Corona and Schwartz, 2015).…”

“…By the time spirochetes reach the basement membrane of the tick gut epithelia, motility has been reactivated, and a fraction of motile borrelia migrate from the gut to the haematocele and the salivary glands (Fig. 2) (Dunham-Ems et al, 2009;2012).…”

The clinical significance of biochemical failure in the first 2 years in patients treated with neo-adjuvant androgen deprivation and radiotherapy for prostate cancer

“…In his Commentary on the mouse study, Alan Barbour proposes the alternative hypothesis that cell-wall deficient L-forms, or cysts, may be responsible for B. burgdorferi persistence in these animals [15]. He notes that these cystic structures, which Bockenstedt et al, observed in their infected animals ( Figure 2 in their study [10]), have been described as a persister mechanism employed by many bacteria, including B. burgdorferi [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24].…”

Screening, treatment, and follow-up of syphilis patients: Issues, concerns and efforts to improve current paradigms

“…These forms might revert to normal replicating bacteria in the absence of antibiotics. [5] The question is: Could other treatment regimens be able to decrease late complications? We implemented, therefore, a regimen that adds doxycycline and ceftriaxone to BPG.…”