Serum Antibodies to Borrelia Burgdorferi, Anaplasma Phagocytophilum, and Babesia Microti in Recaptured White-Footed Mice

Abstract

A mark-release-recapture study was conducted during 2007 through 2010 in six, tick-infested sites in Connecticut, United States to measure changes in antibody titers for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti in Peromyscus leucopus (white-footed mice). There was an overall recapture rate of 40%, but only four tagged mice were caught in ≥2 yr. Sera from 561 mice were analyzed for total antibodies to B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum by using whole-cell or recombinant (VlsE or protein 44) antigens in a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or to whole-cell B. microti by indirect fluorescent antibody staining. Antibody prevalences were highly variable for B. burgdorferi (from 56% to 98%), A. phagocytophilum (from 11% to 85%), and B. microti (from 11% to 84%) depending on the site and time of sampling. Of 463 mice with antibodies, 206 (45%) had antibodies to all three pathogens. Changes in antibody status for some mice from negative to positive (117 seroconversions) or from positive to negative (55 reversions) were observed. Seroconversions were observed in 10.1% of 417 mice for B. burgdorferi, 18.0% of 306 mice for A. phagocytophilum, and 6.6% of 304 mice for B. microti; reversion rates were 5.3, 5.9, and 4.9%, respectively. Antibodies to all pathogens persisted in some mice over several weeks while, in others, there were marked declines in titration end points to negative status. The latter may indicate elimination of a certain pathogen, such as A. phagocytophilum, or that mouse immune systems ceased to produce antibodies despite an existing patent infection.

BB0347, from the Lyme Disease Spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, Is Surface Exposed and Interacts with the CS1 Heparin-Binding Domain of Human Fibronectin

“…6B), as we have done previously [43]. The reciprocal titer levels were comparable to measured levels against whole Borrelia lysates in infected wild animals [77], [78]. Further studies are needed to determine the immunogenicity of BB0347 in humans, as well as the prevalence and distribution of αBB0347 antibodies in an infected population of patients and the protective efficiency of the antibodies.…”

Coinfection by Ixodes Tick-Borne Pathogens: Ecological, Epidemiological, and Clinical Consequences

“…These pathogens can serve as a useful model for the study of coinfection because they are commonly found together in reservoir hosts, ticks and humans. These reservoir hosts often are infected with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato , and therefore constitute an ‘infected niche’ that is encountered by any of the other Ixodes -transmitted pathogens [6, 7]. We review the pathogen combinations found in Ixodes ticks and reservoir hosts around the world, but focus on coinfection with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and Babesia microti , the major etiologic agents of Lyme disease and human babesiosis in the United States, respectively [8, 9].…”

“…B. burgdorferi is highly prevalent among reservoir hosts in endemic areas [7]. As B. microti infected nymphs disperse into B. burgdorferi endemic areas that are B. microti free, they most likely inoculate B. microti into reservoir hosts that are infected with B. burgdorferi.…”

Lyme Borreliosis - the Utility of Improved Real-Time PCR Assay in Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi Infections

“…in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial fluid, skin bioptates and urine samples [18][19][20]. Taking into account that the etiologic agent of LD, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, was recovered first from the tick Ixodes dammini in the year 1982 [2] and then from a skin biopsy, CSF and blood specimens of patients with LB around the world [2,[21][22][23][24][25], the main aim of this study was to discuss the utility of introduction of a well-optimized, sensitive and highly specific quantitative real-time PCR assay into the diagnostics of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infections.…”