Duration of Borrelia mayonii infectivity in an experimental mouse model for feeding Ixodes scapularis larvae

In this study, we demonstrate that an experimental spirochete host, the CD-1 strain outbred white mouse, can maintain active infection with B. mayonii for up to 1year: infected mice consistently yielded ear biopsies containing motile spirochetes from 29–375days after they were first infected via tick bite. Infection rates in resultant nymphal ticks varied greatly both over time for larvae fed on the same individual mouse at different time points after infection (2–42%) and for larvae fed on different mice at a given time point up to 8 months after infection (0–48%). Infection rates were lower in nymphs fed as larvae on mice 10–12 months after infection (2–3% for 5 mice and 9.8% for 1 mouse). In addition to ear biopsies, B. mayonii was detected from bladder, heart, and spinal cord of infected mice when they were sacrificed 163–375days after initial infection via tick bite. Examination of blood from mice determined to be infected with B. mayonii by ear biopsy did not produce evidence of B. mayonii DNA in blood taken 8–375days after the mice were first infected via tick bite.
Source: Ticks and Tick borne Diseases - Category: Zoology Source Type: research