The AxBioTick study - immune gene expression signatures in human skin bitten by Borrelia-infected versus non-infected ticks.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Borrelia infection is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and transmitted by Ixodes ricinus ticks, a common tick-borne infection in Northern Europe. The establishment of Borrelia infection depends on transmission of the spirochetes, as well as the immune response generated in the skin after a bite. Here we aim to investigate the local immune response in the skin after a tick bite and assess the possible direct effects of Borrelia, by applying gene expression analysis of the immune response in skin exposed to Borrelia-infected and non-infected ticks, respectively.

Methods

Skin biopsies from the study participants were taken 7-10 days after the tick-bite. The ticks and skin biopsies were analysed by real-time PCR for Borrelia spp. and other tick-borne pathogen

SUBMITTER: Berthen NC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11654342 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature