The First Study of <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> Sensu Lato Persistence in Small Mammals Captured in the <i>Ixodes persulcatus</i> Distribution Area in Western Siberia.

ABSTRACT: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) persistence in reservoir hosts is essential for the maintenance of the spirochaetes in the enzootic cycle. In this study, we investigated the persistence of Siberian B. burgdorferi s.l. strains in naturally infected voles and their transmission to Ixodes ticks. A long-term study conducted in 2013-2024 demonstrated the presence of Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia bavariensis, and, rarely, "Candidatus Borrelia sibirica" DNA in blood samples of small mammals. Among these, B. bavariensis exhibited the highest genetic diversity. All identified Borrelia species persisted in naturally infected Clethrionomys spp. voles throughout their lifespan (up to 50 weeks), providing the first evidence of long-term

SUBMITTER: Rar V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12735746 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature