Borrelia spp. genotyping in small rodents and ticks

Abstract

Borrelia spp. is a bacterial species of the spirochete class of the genus Borrelia. The genus Borrelia usually is divided into two groups: causing recurrent fever and another group that is associated with Lyme disease. The latter group consists of B. burgdoferi sensu lato complex (Chinmoy and et al., 2011). Different Borrelia spp. species can be associated with different reservoir hosts: B. afzelii with Yellow-necked Field mouse (Apodemus flavicolis) B. burgdorferi with red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) and B. garinii with some bird species. Clinically and ecologically important, what are Borrelia spieces prevalent in a particular area. It is also important to accurately determine the Borrelia species and strains of different organisms and tissu (Radzijevskaja et al., 2011). 481 I. ricinus and I. persulcatus ticks were analyzed from seven different locations in Estonia and 72 rodent ears, and urinary bladder in six different locations in Lithuania. Our studies have used genome plasmid ospA gene, fla gene and the ribosomal intergenic spacer (IGS) region molecular markers. Studies have shown that more sensitive and appropriate pathogen detection was nested PCR, which amplified IGS molecular marker. Using this marker, it was found that a total of 24 (33%) rodents were infected Borrelia spp. pathogens, while using ospA marker, only 13 (18%). In rodents were found B. afzelii and B. miyamotoi species. Also rodent samples were tested for B. valaisiana pathogen infection, but the bacteria were not detected in the tested samples. Using ospA marker only 6 rodents Borrelia spp. pathogens have been identified in ears, and urinary bladder samples, three rodents were positive only by ear samples, four rodents - just under the bladder samples. According to IGS molecular markers, six rodents were positive by ear, and urinary bladder samples, 9 rodents under the ear and under the bladder samples. [...]