A5057255061- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Dermatological diseases and infestations
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
- Toxin Mechanisms and Immunotoxins
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- RNA modifications and cancer
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Nail Diseases and Treatments
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Sepsis Diagnosis and Treatment
- Breastfeeding Practices and Influences
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Escherichia coli research studies
- Enzyme Structure and Function
- Infant Nutrition and Health
- Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
- Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Fungal Infections and Studies
New York Medical College
2012-2025
Renal Research Institute
2017
Yonsei University
2017
Lehigh University
2017
Harvard University
2006
Westchester Medical Center
2001
New York College of Podiatric Medicine
1996
Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center
1995
Columbia University
1995
Lyme disease, the most common tickborne disease in United States, is caused exclusively by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto North America. The present study evaluated genotypes of >400 clinical isolates B. recovered from patients suburban New York City with early associated erythema migrans; it largest number borrelial strains America ever to be investigated.Genotyping was performed restriction fragment-length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction analysis 16S-23S ribosomal RNA spacer and...
Borrelia spp. associated with Lyme disease possess an rRNA gene organization consisting of a single 16S followed by spacer several kilobases and tandem repeat 23S (rrl)-5S (rrf) cluster. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns for these genes have been widely used to classify spirochete isolates. We analyzed the sequences two Ixodes ovatus isolates from Japan (IKA2 HO14) group 21038 dentatus ticks or rabbits North America (isolates 19857). This analysis revealed unique...
Erythematous rashes that are suggestive of early Lyme disease have been associated with the bite Amblyomma americanum ticks, particularly in southern United States. However, Borrelia burgdorferi causative agent disease, has not cultured from skin biopsy specimens these patients, and diagnostic serum antibodies usually found. lonestari sp nov, an uncultured spirochete, detected A. ticks by DNA amplification techniques, but its role human illness is unknown. We observed erythema migrans a...
Here we present evidence that only five of the seven rRNA operons in Escherichia coli are necessary to support near-optimal growth on complex media. Seven rrn necessary, however, for rapid adaptation nutrient and temperature changes, suggesting it is ability adapt quickly changing environmental conditions has provided selective pressure persistence E. coli. We have also found one consequence operon inactivation a miscoordination concentrations initiation factor IF3 ribosomes.
Erythema migrans is the most common manifestation of Lyme disease. Recurrences are not uncommon, and although they usually attributed to reinfection rather than relapse original infection, this remains somewhat controversial. We used molecular typing Borrelia burgdorferi isolates obtained from patients with culture-confirmed episodes erythema distinguish between reinfection.
Endothelial glycocalyx (EG) is disintegrated during sepsis. We have previously shown that this occurs very early in the course of sepsis and its prevention improves survival mice with Here, we sought to investigate possibility pharmacologically accelerating restoration EG used a soilage injection model induce polymicrobial C57/BL6 measured total body EG. En face aortic preparations were for staining markers atomic force microscopy was measure vitro. In vitro studies conducted cultured...
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne in North America and Europe. The clinical manifestations of vary based on genospecies infecting Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete, but microbial genetic elements underlying these associations are not known. Here, we report whole genome sequence (WGS) analysis 299 B . ( Bb ) isolates derived from patients Eastern Midwestern US Central We develop a WGS-based classification isolates, confirm extend findings previous single- multi-locus typing systems,...
To investigate whether genetic diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto may affect the occurrence hematogenous dissemination, 104 untreated adults with erythema migrans from a Lyme disease diagnostic center in Westchester County, New York, were studied. Cultured skin isolates classified into 3 groups by polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. A highly significant association between infecting RFLP type presence spirochetemia...
The pathogenicity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto clinical isolates representing 2 distinct ribosomal DNA spacer restriction fragment–length polymorphism genotypes (RSTs) was assessed in a murine model Lyme disease. B. recovered from 71.5% and 26.6% specimens mice infected with RST1 RST3 isolates, respectively (P<.0001). average ankle diameter histologic scores for carditis arthritis were significantly higher after weeks infection among than those (P<.001). These manifestations...
Recently, a number of refinements in diagnostic modalities for detection Borrelia burgdorferi infection have been developed. These include large-volume blood cultures, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques, and 2-stage serologic testing. In the present study, we compared 6 47 adult patients who had clinical diagnosis erythema migrans. Quantitative PCR on skin biopsy-derived material was most sensitive method (80.9%), followed by testing convalescent-phase samples (66.0%),...
ABSTRACT Two hundred seventeen isolates of Borrelia burgdorferi originally cultured from skin biopsy samples or blood early Lyme disease patients were genetically characterized by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing the 16S-23S ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer. Three major RFLP types observed. Of isolates, 63 217 (29.0%) type 1, 85 (39.2%) 2, and 58 (26.7%) 3; mixtures two obtained in 6.0% (13 217) cultures. Comparison B. performed directly on 51 patient specimens with...
ABSTRACT Approximately 45% of untreated United States patients with early Lyme disease associated erythema migrans have a positive blood culture based on microscopic detection Borrelia burgdorferi in Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly medium after 2 to 12 weeks incubation. In this study we demonstrate that the yield cultures can be significantly increased 70.8% by use combined culture-quantitative PCR technique and among those found culture, positivity was detected over 90% within just 7 days Patients...
The etiologic agent of Lyme borreliosis, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, has been isolated from many biologic sources in North America and Eurasia, isolates have divided into three distinct genospecies (B. stricto, garinii, afzelii). In order to explore the possible association with disease manifestation, 60 B. lato were subjected 5S rDNA-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. results confirmed earlier studies which indicated that virtually all American are whereas...
Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis was first described in the United States, northern Midwest, 1994.1 is caused by an organism, still referred to as agent of human ehrlichiosis, that similar two animal pathogens, Ehrlichia phagocytophila and E. equi. 2–4 Transmission occurs through bites ixodes ticks, which are arthropod vectors for Borrelia burgdorferi Babesia microti. 5,6 acute, febrile, nonspecific illness may be severe enough cause hospitalization even death, particularly elderly.1,7,8 We...
Background. Borrelia lonestari infects Amblyomma americanum, the tick species that is most common cause of bites in southeast and south-central United States, this spirochete has been detected an erythema migrans (EM)–like skin rash 1 patient. Therefore, B. considered to be a leading candidate for etiologic agent EM region. Methods. Skin biopsy specimens obtained from patients Cape Girardeau area Missouri who had EM-like lesions were cultured Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly medium evaluated by...
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is a group of spirochetes belonging to the genus in family Spirochaetaceae. The spirochete transmitted between reservoirs and hosts by ticks Ixodidae. Infection with B. humans causes Lyme disease or borreliosis. Currently, 20 disease-associated species more than relapsing fever-associated have been described. Identification differentiation different strains largely dependent on analyses their genetic characteristics. A variety molecular techniques described...
In the United States, Borrelia burgdorferi ( Bb ) is principal etiologic agent of Lyme disease. The complex structure genomes has posed challenges for genomic studies because homology among bacterium's many plasmids, which account ∼40% genome by length, made them difficult to sequence and assemble. We used long-read sequencing generate near-complete assemblies 62 isolates human-derived collected public with plasmid sequences. characterized genetic diversity population in resulting set 82...
ABSTRACT Variability of disease manifestations has been noted in patients with Lyme disease. A contributing factor to this variation may be the number spirochetes present infected patients. We evaluated clinical and laboratory findings for erythema migrans regard Borrelia burgdorferi organisms detected by quantitative PCR (qPCR) 2-mm skin biopsy specimens. B. was 80% (40 50) specimens tested; mean these ranged over 3 orders magnitude (10 11,000 per specimen). Larger numbers were...
Ninety-three Borrelia burgdorferi isolates obtained from erythema migrans lesions or blood of Lyme disease patients in Westchester County, N.Y., between 1991 and 1994 were characterized by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis the 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer. All could be classified into three distinct RFLP types. Among 82 skin biopsy studied, 21 (25.6%) type 1, 37 (45.1%) 2, 3. Three (3.7%) cultures contained a mixture two with The 11 cultured showed similar...
ABSTRACT Although BBA74 initially was described as a 28-kDa virulence-associated outer-membrane-spanning protein with porin-like function, subsequent studies revealed that it is periplasmic and downregulated in mammalian host-adapted spirochetes. To further elucidate the role of this Borrelia burgdorferi tick-mammal cycle, we conducted thorough examination its expression profile comparison profiles three well-characterized, differentially expressed borrelial genes ( ospA , ospC ospE ) their...
The alternative sigma factor RpoS plays a key role modulating gene expression in Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease spirochete, by transcribing mammalian host-phase genes and repressing σ70-dependent required within arthropod vector. To identify cis regulatory elements involved RpoS-dependent repression, we analyzed green fluorescent protein (GFP) transcriptional reporters containing portions of upstream regions prototypical tick-phase ospAB, glp operon, bba74 As RpoS-mediated repression...
Lyme disease (LD) is an increasing public health problem. Current laboratory testing insensitive in early infection, the stage at which appropriate treatment most effective preventing sequelae. The Disease Biobank (LDB) collects samples from individuals with symptoms consistent LD presenting or without erythema migrans (EM) annular, expanding skin lesion and uninfected areas of endemicity. Samples were collected 550 participants (298 cases 252 controls) according to institutional review...
ABSTRACT The density of spirochetes in field-collected or experimentally infected ticks is estimated mainly by assays based on microscopy. In this study, a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) protocol targeting the Borrelia burgdorferi -specific recA gene was adapted for use with Lightcycler rapid detection and quantification Lyme disease spirochete, B . , Ixodes scapularis ticks. sensitivity qPCR DNA comparable to that well-established nested 16S-23S rRNA spacer. Of 498 I collected from four...