2021
Probing an Ixodes ricinus salivary gland yeast surface display with tick-exposed human sera to identify novel candidates for an anti-tick vaccine
Trentelman JJA, Tomás-Cortázar J, Knorr S, Barriales D, Hajdusek O, Sima R, Ersoz JI, Narasimhan S, Fikrig E, Nijhof AM, Anguita J, Hovius JW. Probing an Ixodes ricinus salivary gland yeast surface display with tick-exposed human sera to identify novel candidates for an anti-tick vaccine. Scientific Reports 2021, 11: 15745. PMID: 34344917, PMCID: PMC8333314, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92538-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick salivary gland proteinsLyme borreliosisVaccination studiesTick biteTick-borne encephalitis virusB. burgdorferi transmissionMultiple tick bitesYeast surface display libraryHuman infectious diseasesImmunization of rabbitsVaccination platformAnti-tick effectsAnti-tick vaccinesEncephalitis virusImmunodominant antigensInfectious diseasesNon-natural hostsTick immunityTick feedingImmunityBorreliosisBiteVaccineAntigenHuman serum
2020
A human secretome library screen reveals a role for Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein 1 in Lyme borreliosis
Gupta A, Arora G, Rosen CE, Kloos Z, Cao Y, Cerny J, Sajid A, Hoornstra D, Golovchenko M, Rudenko N, Munderloh U, Hovius JW, Booth CJ, Jacobs-Wagner C, Palm NW, Ring AM, Fikrig E. A human secretome library screen reveals a role for Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein 1 in Lyme borreliosis. PLOS Pathogens 2020, 16: e1009030. PMID: 33175909, PMCID: PMC7657531, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009030.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeptidoglycan recognition protein 1B. burgdorferi infectionB. burgdorferiBurgdorferi infectionHost responseLow serum IgG levelsCommon vector-borne illnessDiverse host responsesSerum IgG levelsProtein 1Vector-borne illnessImmune dysregulationIgG levelsBorreliacidal activityBurgdorferi sensu latoHuman extracellular proteinsSpirochete burdenTick biteB. burgdorferi sensu latoSpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiNervous systemLyme borreliosisLyme diseaseInfectionBorrelia burgdorferi
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 burgdorferiMice28 Host Defenses to Spirochetes
Navasa N, Fikrig E, Anguita J. 28 Host Defenses to Spirochetes. 2019, 403-411.e1. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-7020-6896-6.00028-4.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2015
Ixodes scapularis dystroglycan-like protein promotes Borrelia burgdorferi migration from the gut
Coumou J, Narasimhan S, Trentelman JJ, Wagemakers A, Koetsveld J, Ersoz JI, Oei A, Fikrig E, Hovius JW. Ixodes scapularis dystroglycan-like protein promotes Borrelia burgdorferi migration from the gut. Journal Of Molecular Medicine 2015, 94: 361-370. PMID: 26594018, PMCID: PMC4803822, DOI: 10.1007/s00109-015-1365-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB. burgdorferi transmissionTick gutLyme borreliosisTick feedingMurine modelVaccine targetsUninfected ticksRNA interferenceInfected ticksSalivary glandsBorrelia burgdorferiPotential targetGut tissueB. burgdorferiCausative agentIxodes ticksGutPrevious screeningTick proteinsGut cellsBurgdorferiMiceTicks resultsBorreliosisConfocal microscopy
2012
Immunization with adenoviral-vectored tick salivary gland proteins (SALPs) in a murine model of Lyme borreliosis
Ullmann AJ, Dolan MC, Sackal CA, Fikrig E, Piesman J, Zeidner NS. Immunization with adenoviral-vectored tick salivary gland proteins (SALPs) in a murine model of Lyme borreliosis. Ticks And Tick-borne Diseases 2012, 4: 160-163. PMID: 23141105, PMCID: PMC4306421, DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2012.08.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTick salivary proteinsBorrelia burgdorferi infectionSalivary proteinsTick salivary gland proteinsSalivary gland proteinsTh1 responseImmunized miceSpecific immunityBurgdorferi infectionMurine modelSpirochete loadLyme borreliosisPrior exposureAdenovirus expression systemAdenoviral vectorTick challengeVaccinationMammalian hostsIxodes scapularisVertebrate hosts
2010
SEASONAL PREVALENCE OF SERUM ANTIBODIES TO WHOLE CELL AND RECOMBINANT ANTIGENS OF BORRELIA BURGDORFERI AND ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM IN WHITE-TAILED DEER IN CONNECTICUT
Magnarelli LA, Williams SC, Fikrig E. SEASONAL PREVALENCE OF SERUM ANTIBODIES TO WHOLE CELL AND RECOMBINANT ANTIGENS OF BORRELIA BURGDORFERI AND ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM IN WHITE-TAILED DEER IN CONNECTICUT. Journal Of Wildlife Diseases 2010, 46: 781-790. PMID: 20688684, DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-46.3.781.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRecombinant antigensInfected Ixodes scapularis ticksCoexistence of antibodiesAnaplasma phagocytophilumRespective causative agentsTick-borne infectionsEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assayIndirect fluorescent antibodyHuman granulocytic anaplasmosisPolyvalent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assaysIxodes scapularis ticksWhole blood samplesAntibody titersCurrent infectionWhole-cell B. burgdorferiBorrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoSerum antibodiesTotal antibodyBlood samplesHigher antibodyBurgdorferi sensu strictoSpecific recombinant antigensLyme borreliosisDeer seraImmunosorbent assayLyme borreliosis vaccination: the facts, the challenge, the future
Schuijt TJ, Hovius JW, van der Poll T, van Dam AP, Fikrig E. Lyme borreliosis vaccination: the facts, the challenge, the future. Trends In Parasitology 2010, 27: 40-47. PMID: 20594913, DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2010.06.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBorrelia burgdorferi sensu lato groupPrevalent arthropod-borne diseaseAnti-tick vaccinesLyme borreliosisArthropod-borne diseaseSensu lato groupTick proteinsTick vectorIxodes ticksNovel vaccination strategiesTicksMammalian hostsVaccination strategiesLyme diseaseVaccine candidatesBorreliosisBorrelia antigensVaccineAntigenDiseaseBorreliaOuter membrane proteinsWestern worldFuture candidatesSpirochetesImmunization with Adenoviral-expressed salivary gland proteins (SALPs) decreases spirochete load in a murine model of Lyme borreliosis (52.2)
Ullmann A, Dolan M, Fikrig E, Piesman J, Zeidner N. Immunization with Adenoviral-expressed salivary gland proteins (SALPs) decreases spirochete load in a murine model of Lyme borreliosis (52.2). The Journal Of Immunology 2010, 184: 52.2-52.2. DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.184.supp.52.2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBurgdorferi infectionMurine modelTick salivary proteinsC3H/HeJ miceDendritic cell expressionCellular immune responsesBorrelia burgdorferi infectionB. burgdorferi infectionLeast partial protectionSalivary proteinsSalivary gland proteinsImmunized miceSpecific immunitySpirochete burdenImmunomodulatory factorsHeJ miceVaccination techniqueImmune responseI. scapularis ticksTarget organsProtein antibodiesCell expressionSpirochete loadTick salivaLyme borreliosis
2009
Late Manifestations of Lyme Borreliosis
Hovius J, van Dam A, Fikrig E. Late Manifestations of Lyme Borreliosis. 2009, 9-25. DOI: 10.1128/9781555815486.ch2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLyme borreliosisObjective clinical manifestationsFrequent clinical signsB. burgdorferiB. burgdorferi infectionHost immune responseCommon vector-borne diseaseClinical manifestationsErythema migransAntibiotic treatmentClinical signsBurgdorferi infectionImmune responsePositive culturesLate manifestationTick-borne pathogensLyme diseaseBorreliosisBorrelia burgdorferiDiseaseCausative agentB. afzeliiB. gariniiInfected tissuesBurgdorferiThe Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) Facilitates Clearance of Borrelia burgdorferi
Hovius JW, Bijlsma MF, van der Windt GJ, Wiersinga WJ, Boukens BJ, Coumou J, Oei A, de Beer R, de Vos AF, van 't Veer C, van Dam AP, Wang P, Fikrig E, Levi MM, Roelofs JJ, van der Poll T. The Urokinase Receptor (uPAR) Facilitates Clearance of Borrelia burgdorferi. PLOS Pathogens 2009, 5: e1000447. PMID: 19461880, PMCID: PMC2678258, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000447.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsArthritis, InfectiousBorrelia burgdorferiCell MovementHeartHistocytochemistryHumansLeukocytesLyme DiseaseMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMice, KnockoutMyocarditisPhagocytosisReceptors, Urokinase Plasminogen ActivatorSkinStatistics, NonparametricUp-RegulationUrinary BladderUrokinase-Type Plasminogen ActivatorConceptsB. burgdorferi numbersWT controlsPhagocytotic capacityC3H/HeN backgroundIL-1beta mRNA expressionBorrelia burgdorferiB. burgdorferi infectionRole of uPARSevere carditisBurgdorferi infectionImmune responseLeukocyte functionSpirochete Borrelia burgdorferiFibrinolytic systemPAI-1Facilitate clearanceMRNA expressionHuman leukocytesLyme borreliosisMiceB. burgdorferiCausative agentProteinase receptorUPARAdequate eradication
2008
Preferential Protection of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto by a Salp 15 Homologue in Ixodes ricinus Saliva
Hovius JW, Schuijt TJ, de Groot KA, Roelofs JJ, Oei GA, Marquart JA, de Beer R, Veer C, van der Poll T, Ramamoorthi N, Fikrig E, van Dam AP. Preferential Protection of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Stricto by a Salp 15 Homologue in Ixodes ricinus Saliva. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2008, 198: 1189-1197. PMID: 18752445, PMCID: PMC4317250, DOI: 10.1086/591917.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntibody-mediated killingB. burgdorferiB. afzeliiB. gariniiEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assaySole causative agentBorrelia burgdorferi sensu latoBorrelia speciesSevere carditisOuter surface protein CImmune miceControl miceBorrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoBurgdorferi sensu latoSurface protein CSurvival advantageBurgdorferi sensu strictoSolid-phase overlayLyme borreliosisImmunosorbent assayProtein CCausative agentIxodes ticksBurgdorferiMice
2007
Tick–host–pathogen interactions in Lyme borreliosis
Hovius JW, van Dam AP, Fikrig E. Tick–host–pathogen interactions in Lyme borreliosis. Trends In Parasitology 2007, 23: 434-438. PMID: 17656156, DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2007.07.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVertebrate hostsB. burgdorferi survivalB. burgdorferi genesEnzootic life cycleSpirochete survivalGene productsB. burgdorferiArthropod vectorsGenesVector moleculesLife cycleDifferent environmentsHostBorrelia burgdorferiIxodes ticksTROSPATicksSpirochetal agentBurgdorferiLyme borreliosisMicrobesSalp15ExpressionSurvivalRole of Outer Surface Protein D in the Borrelia burgdorferi Life Cycle
Li X, Neelakanta G, Liu X, Beck DS, Kantor FS, Fish D, Anderson JF, Fikrig E. Role of Outer Surface Protein D in the Borrelia burgdorferi Life Cycle. Infection And Immunity 2007, 75: 4237-4244. PMID: 17620358, PMCID: PMC1951184, DOI: 10.1128/iai.00632-07.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsB. burgdorferiSecond blood mealMurine modelSpirochete transmissionB. burgdorferi persistenceLyme borreliosisMiceB. burgdorferi strainsProtein DI. scapularisTick gutBlood mealBurgdorferi strainsSpirochete life cycleBurgdorferiGut extractsIxodes scapularisB. burgdorferi infectivityThreefold decreaseHost-specific signalsScapularisTicksBorreliosis
2006
Coinfection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Borrelia garinii alters the course of murine Lyme borreliosis
Hovius JW, Li X, Ramamoorthi N, Van Dam AP, Barthold SW, Van Der Poll T, Speelman P, Fikrig E. Coinfection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Borrelia garinii alters the course of murine Lyme borreliosis. Pathogens And Disease 2006, 49: 224-234. PMID: 17328756, DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2006.00177.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMurine Lyme borreliosisB. burgdorferi sensu strictoBurgdorferi sensu strictoLyme borreliosisBorrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoEffect of coinfectionCoinfected miceBorrelia speciesSimultaneous infectionMiceCoinfectionBorreliosisB. gariniiBorrelia gariniiReservoir hostsGariniiI. ricinus populationsSpirochetesHigher numberArthritisPreferential maintenanceInfectionPrevalenceSpirochetemia
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 ehrlichiosis
2000
Arthropod- and Host-Specific Borrelia burgdorferi bbk32 Expression and the Inhibition of Spirochete Transmission
Fikrig E, Feng W, Barthold S, Telford S, Flavell R. Arthropod- and Host-Specific Borrelia burgdorferi bbk32 Expression and the Inhibition of Spirochete Transmission. The Journal Of Immunology 2000, 164: 5344-5351. PMID: 10799897, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.164.10.5344.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSpirochete transmissionLyme borreliosisB. burgdorferi infectionB. burgdorferi transmissionMechanisms of immunityIxodes scapularis ticksCutaneous sitesImmunized miceSpirochete numbersBurgdorferi infectionMurine infectionMurine hostMiceInfectionMRNA levelsScapularis ticksB. burgdorferiTick engorgementMurine tissuesVector-borne diseasesBorreliosisAdult ticksAntiserumBBK32Regulated expressionSerologic Diagnosis of Lyme Borreliosis by Using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays with Recombinant Antigens
Magnarelli L, Ijdo J, Padula S, Flavell R, Fikrig E. Serologic Diagnosis of Lyme Borreliosis by Using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays with Recombinant Antigens. Journal Of Clinical Microbiology 2000, 38: 1735-1739. PMID: 10790090, PMCID: PMC86574, DOI: 10.1128/jcm.38.5.1735-1739.2000.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assayHuman granulocytic ehrlichiosisRecombinant antigensClass-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assaysIgG antibodiesAntibody reactivityLyme borreliosisSerum samplesImmunoblotting of seraImmunoglobulin M antibodiesLow antibody titersB. burgdorferiEnzyme-linked immunosorbentWhole cell antigenAnalysis of serumWestern blot analysisOuter surface protein CErythema migransRheumatoid arthritisAntibody titersIgM antibodiesM antibodiesBorrelia burgdorferi sensu strictoOral infectionSurface protein C
1998
Human Exposure to a Granulocytic Ehrlichia and Other Tick-Borne Agents in Connecticut
Magnarelli L, Ijdo J, Anderson J, Padula S, Flavell R, Fikrig E. Human Exposure to a Granulocytic Ehrlichia and Other Tick-Borne Agents in Connecticut. Journal Of Clinical Microbiology 1998, 36: 2823-2827. PMID: 9738027, PMCID: PMC105071, DOI: 10.1128/jcm.36.10.2823-2827.1998.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman monocytic ehrlichiosisWestern blot analysisTick-borne agentsProbable human casesTick-borne infectionsHuman granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) agentBlot analysisSerologic testingMarked leukopeniaSeropositive specimensPositive seraHGE agentLyme borreliosisBabesia microtiHuman casesMonocytic ehrlichiosisEhrlichia equiBorrelia burgdorferiGranulocytic EhrlichiaEhrlichia chaffeensisFrequent detectionHuman exposurePatientsInfectionAntibodiesDifferential Expression of Borrelia burgdorferi Genes during Erythema Migrans and Lyme Arthritis
Fikrig E, Feng W, Aversa J, Schoen R, Flavell R. Differential Expression of Borrelia burgdorferi Genes during Erythema Migrans and Lyme Arthritis. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 1998, 178: 1198-1201. PMID: 9806060, DOI: 10.1086/515684.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLyme arthritisLyme diseaseHuman infectionsPhase III clinical trialsMurine Lyme borreliosisRNA polymerase chain reactionErythema migrans biopsiesErythema migransProtective immunityClinical trialsVaccine candidatesTissue specimensLyme borreliosisPatientsGene expressionBorrelia burgdorferiDiseaseFirst direct demonstrationB. burgdorferiChain reactionArthritisInfectionBorrelia burgdorferi genesOspAB. burgdorferi gene expression