Fine-Scale Phylogeographic Structure of Borrelia lusitaniae Revealed by Multilocus Sequence Typing

摘要: Borrelia lusitaniae is an Old World species of the Lyme borreliosis (LB) group tick-borne spirochetes and prevails mainly in countries around Mediterranean Basin. Lizards family Lacertidae have been identified as reservoir hosts B. lusitaniae. These reptiles are highly structured geographically, indicating limited migration. In order to examine whether host geographic structure shapes evolution epidemiology lusitaniae, we analyzed phylogeographic population this bacterium using a recently developed multilocus sequence typing (MLST) scheme based on chromosomal housekeeping genes. A total 2,099 questing nymphal adult Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected two climatically different regions Portugal, being ∼130 km apart. All screened for by direct PCR. Attempts isolate strains yielded 16 cultures total. Uncontaminated well infected included study. The results MLST show that regional populations constitute genetically distinct populations. contrast, no clear signals detected sequences commonly used molecular markers ospA ospC. pronounced over short distance captured genes suggests migration rates rather low, most likely because distribution mediterranean lizard parapatric. study underlines importance vertebrate spread microparasites.