Abstract

Our objective is to identify the host-associated signals that stimulate the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) to become infective in vector ticks and to determine how dormancy is maintained. The physiological mechanisms that regulate developmental diapause will be compared to those regulating infectivity of other Ixodes-associated pathogens. Toward this end, we shall identify variables that affect the spirochete's ability to become motile in ixodid ticks during the period of contact between vector and reservoir host. Methods for enema and for capillary feeding will be perfected to facilitate discrimination between physical, chemical and endogenous factors as developmental stimuli. In addition, we shall examine related aspects of tick physiology that regulate onset of infectivity of a piroplasm, embryogenesis of a parasitoid wasp and of rapid-engorgement of the host tick. In this manner, we shall explore the conditions that affect motility and dormancy of the Lyme disease spirochete, ultimately seeking to understand how human hosts become infected by this important human pathogen.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI029724-02
Application #
3144631
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (SRC)
Project Start
1990-05-01
Project End
1995-04-30
Budget Start
1991-05-01
Budget End
1992-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1991
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
Harvard University
Department
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
082359691
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115

  Publications

Brunet, L R; Katavolos, P; Spielman, A et al. (1997) Anti-OspA antibody reduces reservoir competence of mice for Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease. Med Vet Entomol 11:198-200
Shih, C M; Spielman, A; Telford 3rd, S R (1995) Short report: mode of action of protective immunity to Lyme disease spirochetes. Am J Trop Med Hyg 52:72-4
Ruderman, E M; Kerr, J S; Telford 3rd, S R et al. (1995) Early murine Lyme carditis has a macrophage predominance and is independent of major histocompatibility complex class II-CD4+ T cell interactions. J Infect Dis 171:362-70
Brunet, L R; Spielman, A; Telford 3rd, S R (1995) Short report: density of Lyme disease spirochetes within deer ticks collected from zoonotic sites. Am J Trop Med Hyg 53:300-2
Telford 3rd, S R; Kantor, F S; Lobet, Y et al. (1995) Efficacy of human Lyme disease vaccine formulations in a mouse model. J Infect Dis 171:1368-70
Shih, C M; Telford 3rd, S R; Spielman, A (1995) Effect of ambient temperature on competence of deer ticks as hosts for Lyme disease spirochetes. J Clin Microbiol 33:958-61
Brunet, L R; Sellitto, C; Spielman, A et al. (1995) Antibody response of the mouse reservoir of Borrelia burgdorferi in nature. Infect Immun 63:3030-6
Urioste, S; Hall, L R; Telford 3rd, S R et al. (1994) Saliva of the Lyme disease vector, Ixodes dammini, blocks cell activation by a nonprostaglandin E2-dependent mechanism. J Exp Med 180:1077-85
Kiszewski, A E; Spielman, A (1994) Virulence of vector-borne pathogens. A stochastic automata model of perpetuation. Ann N Y Acad Sci 740:249-59
Telford 3rd, S R; Fikrig, E; Barthold, S W et al. (1993) Protection against antigenically variable Borrelia burgdorferi conferred by recombinant vaccines. J Exp Med 178:755-8

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