Refractoriness of the western fence lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis) to the Lyme disease group spirochete Borrelia bissettii.

摘要: The western fence lizard, Sceloporus occidentalis, is refractory to experimental infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, one of several Lyme disease spirochetes pathogenic for humans. Another member the spirochete complex, bissettii, distributed widely throughout North America and a similar, if not identical, has been implicated as human pathogen in southern Europe. To determine susceptibility S. occidentalis B. 6 naive lizards were exposed feeding activities Ixodes pacificus nymphs experimentally infected this spirochete. None developed spirochetemias detectable by polymerase chain reaction up 8 wk post-tick feeding, apparently lost their bissettii infections within 1–2 after engorgement, xenodiagnostic I. larvae that co-fed alongside did acquire maintain spirochetes. In contrast, 3 4 deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) s...