Relapsing Fever SpirochetesBorrelia recurrentisandB. duttoniiAcquire Complement Regulators C4b-Binding Protein and Factor H

• DOI: 10.1128/iai.00007-06
• Publication Date: 2006-06-21T23:10:29Z
• Authors: T. Meri; S. J. Cutler; A. M. Blom; S. Meri; T. S. Jokiranta
• Keywords: relapsing fever

ABSTRACT Relapsing fever is a rapidly progressive and severe septic disease caused by certain Borrelia spirochetes. The divided into two forms, i.e., epidemic relapsing fever, recurrentis transmitted lice, the endemic form, several species, such as B. duttonii , soft-bodied ticks. spirochetes enter bloodstream vector bite live persistently in plasma even after development of specific antibodies. This leads to relapses high mortality clearly indicates that organisms utilize effective immune evasion strategies. In this study, we show pathogen an pathogen, are serum resistant, resistant complement vitro. They acquire host alternative pathway regulator factor H on their surfaces similar way less serum-resistant Lyme burgdorferi sensu stricto. More importantly, specifically bind C4b-binding protein, major antibody-mediated classical pathway. Both regulators retained functional activities when bound conclusion, first report showing capture protein