Divergence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes could be driven by the host: diversity of Borrelia strains isolated from ticks feeding on a single bird

摘要: The controversy surrounding the potential impact of birds in spirochete transmission dynamics and their capacity to serve as a reservoir has existed for long time. majority analyzed bird species are able infect larval ticks with Borrelia. Dispersal infected due migration is key establishment new foci Lyme borreliosis. infection supports mixing different species, horizontal exchange genetic information, appearance recombinant genotypes. Four Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato strains were cultured from Ixodes minor larvae four isolated nymphs collected single Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus). A multilocus sequence analysis that included 16S rRNA, 5S-23S intergenic spacer region, 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer, flagellin, p66, ospC separated 8 into 3 distinct groups. Additional typing housekeeping genes, clpA, clpX, nifS, pepX, pyrG, recG, rplB, uvrA was used resolve taxonomic status bird-associated strains. Results 14 genes confirmed level divergence among significantly higher than what would be expected within species. presence cross-species recombination revealed: stricto gene nifS incorporated homologous locus strain, previously assigned B. americana. Genetically diverse often found same tick or vertebrate host, presenting wide opportunity exchange. We report led incorporation strain another strain. Our results support hypothesis maintains polymorphism populations because re-assortment pre-existing variants. Even if our findings broad diversity fed on could exception rather rule, they theory evolution LB spirochetes driven mainly by host.