Tick-to-host transmission differs between Borrelia afzelii strains

• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01675-23
• Publication Date: 2023-09-07T13:00:49Z
• Authors: Dolores Genné; Whitney Jiricka; Anouk Sarr; Maarten J. Voordouw
• Keywords: Borrelia afzelii

Many vector-borne pathogens establish multiple-strain infections in the vertebrate host and arthropod vector. Multiple-strain influence strain acquisition by naive vectors. Whether vector strain-specific transmission to hosts remains unknown. The spirochete, Borrelia afzelii, causes Lyme borreliosis are common both tick host. Our study used two B. afzelii strains: Fin-Jyv-A3 NE4049. Donor mice were infected with alone, NE4049 or strains. Larval ticks fed on donor molted into nymphal either These nymphs test determine whether nymph nymph-to-host (NHT). infection reduced of strains 23%. Thus, a substantial fraction from multiple treatment "wrong" competitor rather than "right" focal strain. As result, 46% less likely infect compared single treatment. However, had no effect NHT spirochete load was 1.9 times higher (79%) 1.5 (53%). suggests that loads have NHT. IMPORTANCE For many pathogens, common. reduce feeding In our study, we tick-borne which borreliosis, investigate influenced (NHT) ticks. did not bacterial abundance pathogen is important for vector-to-host transmission.