Natural selection and recombination at host-interacting lipoprotein loci drive genome diversification of Lyme disease and related bacteria.

ABSTRACT: Lyme disease, caused by spirochetes in the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato clade within the Borrelia genus, is transmitted by Ixodes ticks and is currently the most prevalent and rapidly expanding tick-borne disease in Europe and North America. We report complete genome sequences of 47 isolates that encompass all established species in this clade while highlighting the diversity of the widespread human pathogenic species B. burgdorferi. A similar set of plasmids has been maintained throughout Borrelia divergence, indicating that they are a key adaptive feature of this genus. Phylogenetic reconstruction of all sequenced Borrelia genomes revealed the original divergence of Eurasian and North American lineages and subsequent dispersals that introduced

SUBMITTER: Akther S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11389397 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature