The Role of Plasmid lp36 in Lyme Disease Bacteria
Author Information
Author(s): Jewett Mollie W, Lawrence Kevin, Bestor Aaron C, Tilly Kit, Grimm Dorothee, Shaw Pamela, VanRaden Mark, Gherardini Frank, Rosa Patricia A
Primary Institution: Laboratory of Zoonotic Pathogens, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health
Hypothesis
Does the linear plasmid lp36 play a critical role in the infectious cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi?
Conclusion
The lp36 plasmid is essential for the infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi in mammalian hosts but not required for survival in ticks.
Supporting Evidence
- Restoration of lp36 to the mutant strain confirmed that the infectivity defect was due to loss of lp36.
- Spirochetes lacking lp36 exhibited a nearly 4-log increase in ID50 relative to the isogenic lp36+ clone.
- Reintroduction of the bbk17 gene alone restored infectivity to spirochetes lacking lp36.
Takeaway
The lp36 plasmid helps Lyme disease bacteria infect mice, but they can survive in ticks without it.
Methodology
The study involved comparing the infectivity of Borrelia burgdorferi clones with and without the lp36 plasmid through mouse inoculation and tick feeding experiments.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on specific plasmids and may not account for other genetic factors influencing infectivity.
Participant Demographics
C3H/HeN mice were used for the experiments.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 1.1 × 106 − 5.8 × 107
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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