Genetic analysis of Borrelia garinii OspA serotype 4 strains associated with neuroborreliosis: evidence for extensive genetic homogeneity.

ABSTRACT: Infection with Borrelia garinii outer surface protein (Osp) A serotype 4 strains has been correlated with the development of neuroborreliosis in Lyme borreliosis patients in Europe. OspA serotype 4 isolates have been recovered primarily from human cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting a tropism for this environment. Previous studies with monoclonal antibodies directed against OspA and OspC demonstrated that OspA serotype 4 strains are antigenically closely related. In view of the pronounced antigenic and genetic variability that has been noted in the Osps of other Borrelia isolates, we sought to determine if OspA serotype 4 strains represent a recently emerged clonal lineage of B. garinii. Toward this goal, a representative group of OspA serotype 4 strains was analyzed for traits that typically

SUBMITTER: Marconi RT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC85856 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature