Insight into the pathogenesis of lyme disease

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States and Europe, caused by a tick-borne spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. Life cycle alternation between arthropod and mammals enhanced B. burgdorferi to adapt to two diverse niches. Although B. burgdorferi infection in these reservoir hosts appears asymptomatic, infection in human can typically cause inflammation in the skin, nervous system, musculoskeletal system and heart. In this review, we discuss the basic molecular characteristics and cell biology of B. burgdorferi and provide an overview of spirocheteinduced activation of innate and adaptive immunity, resulting in particular immunopathology. Advancing understanding of the immune evasion mechanisms of B. burgdorferi provides important implications for ongoing research and clinical practice of Lyme disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10-22
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Bacteriology and Virology
Volume44
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014 Mar

Keywords

  • B. burgdorferi
  • Lyme disease
  • Pathogenesis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Immunology
  • Virology

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