Cellular and immunological mechanisms influence host-adapted phenotypes in a vector-borne microparasite.

ABSTRACT: Predicting pathogen emergence and spillover risk requires understanding the determinants of a pathogens' host range and the traits involved in host competence. While host competence is often considered a fixed species-specific trait, it may be variable if pathogens diversify across hosts. Balancing selection can lead to maintenance of pathogen polymorphisms (multiple-niche-polymorphism; MNP). The causative agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), provides a model to study the evolution of host adaptation, as some Bb strains defined by their outer surface protein C (ospC) genotype, are widespread in white-footed mice and others are associated with non-rodent vertebrates (e.g. birds). To identify the mechanisms underlying potential strain × host adaptatio

SUBMITTER: Lin YP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8864362 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature