Differential Infectivity of the Lyme Disease Spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi Derived from Ixodes scapularis Salivary Glands and Midgut

Authors: Lima, C. M. R.; Zeidner, N. S.; Beard, C. B.; Soares, C. A. G.; Dolan, M. C.; Dietrich, G.; Piesman, J.

Source: Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 42, Number 3, May 2005 , pp. 506-510(5)

Publisher: Entomological Society of America

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Abstract:

Blood fed nymphal Ixodes scapularis Say infected with Borrelia burgdorferi were dissected to obtain salivary gland and midgut extracts. Extracts were inoculated into C3H/HeJ mice, and ear, heart, and bladder were cultured to determine comparative infectivity. Aliquots of extracts were then analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the number of spirochetes inoculated into mice. A comparative median infectious dose (ID50) was determined for both salivary gland and midgut extract inoculations. Our data demonstrated a statistically significant difference (P < 0.002) in the ID50 derived from salivary gland (average = 18) versus midgut (average = 251) extracts needed to infect susceptible mice. A rationale for the differential infectivity of salivary and midgut derived spirochetes is discussed.

Keywords: Lyme disease; salivary glands; Borrelia burgdorferi; Ixodes scapularis

Document Type: Short communication

Publication date: 2005-05-01

More about this publication?
  • Journal of Medical Entomology is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November. The journal publishes reports on all phases of medical entomology and medical acarology, including the systematics and biology of insects, acarines, and other arthropods of public health and veterinary significance.

    The journal is divided into the following sections: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution; Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal; Development, Life History; Population and Community Ecology; Behavior, Chemical Ecology; Population Biology/Genetics; Molecular Biology/Genomics; Neurobiology, Physiology, Biochemistry; Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents; Arthropod/Host Interaction, Immunity; Vector/Pathogen/Host Interaction, Transmission; Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention; Direct Injury, Myiasis, Forensics; Modeling/GIS, Risk Assessment, Economic Impact. In addition to full-length research articles, the journal publishes interpretive articles in a Forum section, Short Communications, Rapid Communications, and Book Reviews.
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