2019
Borrelia miyamotoi infection leads to cross-reactive antibodies to the C6 peptide in mice and men
Koetsveld J, Platonov A, Kuleshov K, Wagemakers A, Hoornstra D, Ang W, Szekeres S, van Duijvendijk G, Fikrig E, Embers M, Sprong H, Hovius J. Borrelia miyamotoi infection leads to cross-reactive antibodies to the C6 peptide in mice and men. Clinical Microbiology And Infection 2019, 26: 513.e1-513.e6. PMID: 31404672, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.07.026.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCross-reactive antibodiesC6 peptideEnzyme immunoassayLyme borreliosisBorrelia miyamotoi infectionBMD patientsExperimental murine infectionC6 enzyme immunoassayAvailable immunoblotNegative immunoblotMiyamotoi infectionTick bitePatient seraMurine infectionPatientsReactivity testingInfectionVlsE proteinBorrelia miyamotoiBorrelia burgdorferiMice
2017
Advances in Serodiagnostic Testing for Lyme Disease Are at Hand
Branda JA, Body BA, Boyle J, Branson BM, Dattwyler RJ, Fikrig E, Gerald NJ, Gomes-Solecki M, Kintrup M, Ledizet M, Levin AE, Lewinski M, Liotta LA, Marques A, Mead PS, Mongodin EF, Pillai S, Rao P, Robinson WH, Roth KM, Schriefer ME, Slezak T, Snyder J, Steere AC, Witkowski J, Wong SJ, Schutzer SE. Advances in Serodiagnostic Testing for Lyme Disease Are at Hand. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2017, 66: 1133-1139. PMID: 29228208, PMCID: PMC6019075, DOI: 10.1093/cid/cix943.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSerodiagnostic testingEnzyme immunoassayLyme diseaseIndirect fluorescence antibodySerologic assaysImmunoglobulin MEarly infectionFluorescence antibodyTesting protocolAlternative testing protocolsBorrelia burgdorferiB. burgdorferiWestern immunoblotAntigenDiseaseAntibodiesBurgdorferiLow sensitivitySynthetic peptidesAssays
2012
Activation of the RpoN-RpoS regulatory pathway during the enzootic life cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi
Ouyang Z, Narasimhan S, Neelakanta G, Kumar M, Pal U, Fikrig E, Norgard MV. Activation of the RpoN-RpoS regulatory pathway during the enzootic life cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi. BMC Microbiology 2012, 12: 44. PMID: 22443136, PMCID: PMC3320556, DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-12-44.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRpoN-RpoS regulatory pathwayRpoN-RpoS pathwayExpression of rpoSEnzootic life cycleMammalian infectionRegulatory pathwaysTranscription of rpoSOuter membrane lipoproteinLife cycleB. burgdorferiKey environmental stimuliLyme disease pathogenesisDiverse nichesMembrane lipoproteinMammalian hostsTarget genesTranscription levelsMicrobial survivalLipoprotein geneRpoSOrganism adaptationInfectious cycleFed larvaeIntermolt larvaeSustained transcriptionPostgenomic Analyses Reveal Development of Infectious Anaplasma phagocytophilum during Transmission from Ticks to Mice
Mastronunzio JE, Kurscheid S, Fikrig E. Postgenomic Analyses Reveal Development of Infectious Anaplasma phagocytophilum during Transmission from Ticks to Mice. Journal Of Bacteriology 2012, 194: 2238-2247. PMID: 22389475, PMCID: PMC3347074, DOI: 10.1128/jb.06791-11.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpen reading frameA. phagocytophilum genomeObligate intracellular bacteriaBlood-feeding arthropodsCell surface proteinsMammalian cell cultureRickettsiales orderUncharacterized proteinsRibosomal proteinsEssential proteinsTranscriptome sequencingBacterial adaptationA. phagocytophilumDNA replicationTick salivary glandsPostgenomic analysisReading frameMammalian hostsAnaplasma phagocytophilumDevelopmental transitionsDC-specific markerIntracellular bacteriaTransmission feedingSurface proteinsProtein
2010
Anaplasma phagocytophilum AptA modulates Erk1/2 signalling
Sukumaran B, Mastronunzio JE, Narasimhan S, Fankhauser S, Uchil PD, Levy R, Graham M, Colpitts TM, Lesser CF, Fikrig E. Anaplasma phagocytophilum AptA modulates Erk1/2 signalling. Cellular Microbiology 2010, 13: 47-61. PMID: 20716207, PMCID: PMC3005019, DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2010.01516.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsA. phagocytophilum infectionPhagocytophilum infectionCommon tick-borne diseasesHuman granulocytic anaplasmosisActivation of ERK1/2ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinasesA. phagocytophilum survivalPolymorphonuclear leucocytesMitogen-activated protein kinaseHuman neutrophilsObligate intracellular pathogensGranulocytic anaplasmosisIntracellular pathogensTick-borne diseasesInfectionERK1/2 activationAnaplasma phagocytophilumVimentinSurvivalActivationBacterial inclusionsHost proteinsIntermediate filament protein vimentinVirulence proteinsProtein vimentin
2009
Toll-Like Receptors 1 and 2 Heterodimers Alter Borrelia burgdorferi Gene Expression in Mice and Ticks
Fikrig E, Narasimhan S, Neelakanta G, Pal U, Chen M, Flavell R. Toll-Like Receptors 1 and 2 Heterodimers Alter Borrelia burgdorferi Gene Expression in Mice and Ticks. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2009, 200: 1331-1340. PMID: 19754309, PMCID: PMC2846271, DOI: 10.1086/605950.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGene expressionMicroarray analysisB. burgdorferi gene expressionQuantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysisToll-like receptor 1Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysisReceptor 1Expression profilesWild-type animalsHost TLRsArthropod vectorsMessenger RNA levelsPolymerase chain reaction analysisChain reaction analysisB. burgdorferi-infected ticksGenesBurgdorferi-infected ticksRNA levelsExpressionMurine hostBorrelia burgdorferiReaction analysisWild-type miceAnimalsHeterodimers
2008
Borrelia burgdorferi lipoprotein BmpA activates pro-inflammatory responses in human synovial cells through a protein moiety
Yang X, Izadi H, Coleman AS, Wang P, Ma Y, Fikrig E, Anguita J, Pal U. Borrelia burgdorferi lipoprotein BmpA activates pro-inflammatory responses in human synovial cells through a protein moiety. Microbes And Infection 2008, 10: 1300-1308. PMID: 18725314, PMCID: PMC2648844, DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2008.07.029.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB mutantsWild-type B. burgdorferiP38 MAP kinase pathwayMAP kinase pathwayHuman synovial cellsSynovial cellsProtein moietyP38 MAP kinaseNF-kappaBLyme arthritisB operonKinase pathwayMAP kinaseRecombinant BmpAPro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alphaCultured human synovial cellsLipopolysaccharide inhibitorMutantsCytokines TNF-alphaHost inflammatory responsePro-inflammatory responseCytokine responsesIL-1betaTNF-alphaInflammatory responseA Differential Role for BB0365 in the Persistence of Borrelia burgdorferi in Mice and Ticks
Pal U, Dai J, Li X, Neelakanta G, Luo P, Kumar M, Wang P, Yang X, Anderson JF, Fikrig E. A Differential Role for BB0365 in the Persistence of Borrelia burgdorferi in Mice and Ticks. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2008, 197: 148-155. PMID: 18171298, DOI: 10.1086/523764.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVertebrate hostsWild-type B. burgdorferiArthropod vectorsB. burgdorferi persistenceB. burgdorferi transcriptomeDiverse murine tissuesSpirochete life cycleLife cycleB. burgdorferi B31Lyme disease agentGene productsMurine tissuesGenesWild rodentsDisease agentsDifferential rolesFeeding ticksB. burgdorferiInfectious isolatesHostBorrelia burgdorferiTicksTranscriptomePersistence of BorreliaMutants
2007
Borrelia burgdorferi basic membrane proteins A and B participate in the genesis of Lyme arthritis
Pal U, Wang P, Bao F, Yang X, Samanta S, Schoen R, Wormser GP, Schwartz I, Fikrig E. Borrelia burgdorferi basic membrane proteins A and B participate in the genesis of Lyme arthritis. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 2007, 205: 133-141. PMID: 18166585, PMCID: PMC2234379, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20070962.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLyme arthritisMouse jointsB. burgdorferi antigensBurgdorferi-infected miceSevere arthritisSpirochete numbersArthritisHost responseLyme diseaseAffinity-purified antibodiesBorrelia burgdorferiChain reactionMiceOriginal phenotypeBasic membrane proteinMutant spirochetesGene expressionJointsInflammationPathogenesisAntigenDiseaseB. burgdorferi gene expression
2006
The Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi requires BB0690, a Dps homologue, to persist within ticks
Li X, Pal U, Ramamoorthi N, Liu X, Desrosiers DC, Eggers CH, Anderson JF, Radolf JD, Fikrig E. The Lyme disease agent Borrelia burgdorferi requires BB0690, a Dps homologue, to persist within ticks. Molecular Microbiology 2006, 63: 694-710. PMID: 17181780, DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2006.05550.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBorrelia burgdorferi Lacking BBK32, a Fibronectin-Binding Protein, Retains Full Pathogenicity
Li X, Liu X, Beck DS, Kantor FS, Fikrig E. Borrelia burgdorferi Lacking BBK32, a Fibronectin-Binding Protein, Retains Full Pathogenicity. Infection And Immunity 2006, 74: 3305-3313. PMID: 16714558, PMCID: PMC1479267, DOI: 10.1128/iai.02035-05.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdhesins, BacterialAnimalsBacterial AdhesionBacterial ProteinsBorrelia burgdorferiLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HRabbitsTicksConceptsB. burgdorferiFlat ticksB. burgdorferi proteinsTick biteSpirochete acquisitionLyme disease spirocheteAdverse effectsBorrelia burgdorferiFibronectin-binding proteinBurgdorferiFibronectin binding proteinMiceSpirochete life cycleLyme pathogenesisB. burgdorferi B31Mammalian hostsSyringe inoculationExpression profilesBBK32Surface lipoproteinsFibronectin bindingPathogenesisExpressionInfectionTemporal expression profilesBorrelia burgdorferi–Traveling incognito?
Fikrig E, Narasimhan S. Borrelia burgdorferi–Traveling incognito? Microbes And Infection 2006, 8: 1390-1399. PMID: 16698304, DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2005.12.022.Peer-Reviewed Reviews, Practice Guidelines, Standards, and Consensus Statements
2004
Protective Niche for Borrelia burgdorferi to Evade Humoral Immunity
Liang FT, Brown EL, Wang T, Iozzo RV, Fikrig E. Protective Niche for Borrelia burgdorferi to Evade Humoral Immunity. American Journal Of Pathology 2004, 165: 977-985. PMID: 15331421, PMCID: PMC1618599, DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9440(10)63359-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChronic infectionHumoral immunityProtective nicheB. burgdorferiDecorin expressionLower decorin expressionDecorin-deficient miceWild-type miceStrong immune responseDecorin-binding protein ASpirochete burdenUrinary bladderImmune responsePersistent infectionMurine infectionEarly infectionInfectionExtracellular microbesDbpA expressionLyme disease spirocheteBorrelia burgdorferiC expressionTargeted disruptionBurgdorferiMiceUSE OF RECOMBINANT ANTIGENS OF BORRELIA BURGDORFERI AND ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM IN ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAYS TO DETECT ANTIBODIES IN WHITE-TAILED DEER
Magnarelli LA, IJdo JW, Ramakrishnan U, Henderson DW, Stafford KC, Fikrig E. USE OF RECOMBINANT ANTIGENS OF BORRELIA BURGDORFERI AND ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM IN ENZYME-LINKED IMMUNOSORBENT ASSAYS TO DETECT ANTIBODIES IN WHITE-TAILED DEER. Journal Of Wildlife Diseases 2004, 40: 249-258. PMID: 15362824, DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-40.2.249.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPreferential Presence of Decorin-Binding Protein B (BBA25) and BBA50 Antibodies in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Neurologic Lyme Disease
Fikrig E, Coyle PK, Schutzer SE, Chen M, Deng Z, Flavell RA. Preferential Presence of Decorin-Binding Protein B (BBA25) and BBA50 Antibodies in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Neurologic Lyme Disease. Journal Of Clinical Microbiology 2004, 42: 1243-1246. PMID: 15004083, PMCID: PMC356844, DOI: 10.1128/jcm.42.3.1243-1246.2004.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2002
Comparative reactivity of human sera to recombinant VlsE and other Borrelia burgdorferi antigens in class-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for Lyme borreliosis
Magnarelli LA, Lawrenz M, Norris SJ, Fikrig E. Comparative reactivity of human sera to recombinant VlsE and other Borrelia burgdorferi antigens in class-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for Lyme borreliosis. Journal Of Medical Microbiology 2002, 51: 649-655. PMID: 12171295, DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-51-8-649.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assayIgG antibodiesErythema migransIgM antibodiesLyme borreliosisPhysician-diagnosed erythema migransOnset of illnessVlsE antigenB. burgdorferi infectionBorrelia burgdorferi antigensEnzyme-linked immunosorbentHuman granulocytic ehrlichiosisHuman serumOuter surface protein CRheumatoid arthritisBorrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoOral infectionBurgdorferi infectionFalse-positive reactionsBurgdorferi sensu strictoSera crossLouse-borneLaboratory diagnosisNormal serumGranulocytic ehrlichiosisMolecular Adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the Murine Host
Liang FT, Nelson FK, Fikrig E. Molecular Adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi in the Murine Host. Journal Of Experimental Medicine 2002, 196: 275-280. PMID: 12119353, PMCID: PMC2193918, DOI: 10.1084/jem.20020770.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLipoprotein geneMolecular adaptationsHost immune selection pressureAnalysis of expressionNovel adaptation mechanismSteps of adaptationSelection pressureLyme disease spirocheteB. burgdorferiMurine hostGenesHost tissuesImmune selection pressureAdaptation mechanismsChronic infectionMurine infectionCritical stepHostBorrelia burgdorferiInfectionAdaptationSpirochetesBurgdorferiInitial inoculumPathogensDNA Microarray Assessment of Putative Borrelia burgdorferi Lipoprotein Genes
Liang FT, Nelson FK, Fikrig E. DNA Microarray Assessment of Putative Borrelia burgdorferi Lipoprotein Genes. Infection And Immunity 2002, 70: 3300-3303. PMID: 12011030, PMCID: PMC128019, DOI: 10.1128/iai.70.6.3300-3303.2002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchExamination of the Borrelia burgdorferi Transcriptome in Ixodes scapularis during Feeding
Narasimhan S, Santiago F, Koski RA, Brei B, Anderson JF, Fish D, Fikrig E. Examination of the Borrelia burgdorferi Transcriptome in Ixodes scapularis during Feeding. Journal Of Bacteriology 2002, 184: 3122-3125. PMID: 12003955, PMCID: PMC135063, DOI: 10.1128/jb.184.11.3122-3125.2002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBorrelia burgdorferi gene expressionB. burgdorferi genesPeriplasmic proteinsSignal transductionChromosomal genesPutative lipoproteinSubstrate transportGene expressionDifferential expressionGenesEnergy metabolismIxodes scapularis ticksGlobal analysisIxodes scapularisScapularis ticksExpressionTranscriptomeTransductionTicksProteinFeedingMetabolismScapularis
2001
Borrelia burgdorferi-Induced Inflammation Facilitates Spirochete Adaptation and Variable Major Protein-Like Sequence Locus Recombination
Anguita J, Thomas V, Samanta S, Persinski R, Hernanz C, Barthold S, Fikrig E. Borrelia burgdorferi-Induced Inflammation Facilitates Spirochete Adaptation and Variable Major Protein-Like Sequence Locus Recombination. The Journal Of Immunology 2001, 167: 3383-3390. PMID: 11544329, PMCID: PMC4309988, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.167.6.3383.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdaptation, PhysiologicalAnimalsAntibodies, BacterialAntigens, BacterialAntigens, SurfaceBacterial ProteinsBase SequenceBorrelia burgdorferiCD4-Positive T-LymphocytesDNA, BacterialGene Expression RegulationImmune SeraImmunocompetenceInflammationInterferon-gammaInterleukin-12LipoproteinsLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C3HMice, KnockoutMolecular Sequence DataReceptors, InterferonRecombination, GeneticSequence AlignmentSequence Homology, Nucleic AcidConceptsImmunocompetent miceDeficient miceB. burgdorferi N40IFN-gammaRMurine immune responseIFN-gamma-mediated responsesIFN-gamma-mediated signalsSpirochetal burdensSpirochete clearanceIL-12Immune responseIFN-gammaControl animalsDifferential immunoscreeningMice resultsMiceVariable major proteinsRT-PCRVivo adaptationB. burgdorferiClearanceBorrelia burgdorferi gene expressionB. burgdorferi survivalAdministrationVivo