Genospecies identification and characterization of Lyme disease spirochetes of genospecies Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato isolated from rodents in Taiwan.

ABSTRACT: Lyme disease spirochetes of the genospecies Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato were identified and characterized for the first time in Taiwan. Seven isolates, designated TWKM1 to TWKM7, were purified from the ear tissues of three species of rodents captured from seven localities of Taiwan. The immunological characteristics of these Taiwan isolates were compared with those of other genospecies of Lyme disease spirochetes by analyzing the protein profiles and reactivities with B. burgdorferi-specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The genospecies of these Taiwan isolates were also identified by the similarities in their plasmid profiles and differential reactivities with genospecies-specific PCR primers. Although two distinct protein profiles were observed among the seven Taiwan isolates, the MA

SUBMITTER: Shih CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC105287 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature