Multilocus Sequence Typing Unveils Two Novel Genospecies of <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> Sensu Lato in Ticks Infesting Cricetid Rodents of Northern Chile.

ABSTRACT: Tick-borne spirochetes of the genus Borrelia are maintained in enzootic transmission cycles involving wild vertebrates such as rodents. The genus includes the lyme disease group (LDG), transmitted by hard ticks (Ixodidae), and the relapsing fever group (RFG), mostly transmitted by soft ticks (Argasidae). While research on Borrelia spirochetes has been largely concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere, recent studies have uncovered new genospecies in South American ecosystems. Particularly in Chile, while Borrelia chilensis is the sole species that has been cultured, multiple under characterized strains have been detected in wild rodents and ticks. This study aimed to genetically characterize strains of Borrelia in ticks parasitizing Phyllotis darwini, an ab

SUBMITTER: Parrague-Migone C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12271690 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature