Sensitivity of Borrelia genospecies to serum complement from different animals and human: a host-pathogen relationship

FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2005 Feb 1;43(2):165-72. doi: 10.1016/j.femsim.2004.07.012.

Abstract

Different Borrelia species and serotypes were tested for their sensitivity to serum complement from various animals and human. Complement-mediated Borrelia killing in cattle, European bison and deer was higher irrespective of the Borrelia species whereas in other animals and human it was intermediate and Borrelia species-dependent. Activation of the alternative complement pathway by particular Borrelia strain was in correlation with its sensitivity or resistance. These results support the incompetent reservoir nature of cattle, European bison, red, roe and fallow deer, at the same time present the probable reservoir nature of mouflon, dog, wolf, cat and lynx. In short, this study reviews Borrelia-host relationship and its relevance in reservoir competence nature of animals.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bison / immunology
  • Blood Bactericidal Activity*
  • Borrelia / immunology*
  • Borrelia Infections / immunology*
  • Borrelia Infections / veterinary
  • Cats
  • Cattle
  • Complement Pathway, Alternative
  • Complement System Proteins / immunology*
  • Deer / immunology
  • Disease Reservoirs
  • Dogs
  • Host-Parasite Interactions
  • Humans
  • Lynx / immunology
  • Sheep, Domestic / immunology
  • Wolves / immunology

Substances

  • Complement System Proteins