Comparative analysis of genetic variability among Borrelia burgdorferi isolates from Europe and the United States by restriction enzyme analysis, gene restriction fragment length polymorphism, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.
The genomes of 62 North American and European Borrelia burgdorferi isolates were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis (REA), gene probe restriction fragment length polymorphism, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Hybridization of restriction fragments with the immunologically relevant 83-kDa antigen gene revealed polymorphisms and divided the isolates into three major groups. Group I included all but two of the American isolates and some of the European isolates. One of two Californian isolates (DN 127) and one Ixodes dammini isolate from New York (strain 25015), previously described as atypical, were distinct from the isolates in the three groups. Plasmid profile analysis and REA, the method with the highest level of discrimination, revealed extensive heterogeneity among isolates of the same major group. Our study demonstrates the usefulness of the 83-kDa antigen gene probe for dividing the isolates into major genogroups, whereas REA and plasmid profile analysis allow for a distinction of individual strains within these groups.
Zingg
B C
BC
Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
Anderson
J F
JF
Johnson
R C
RC
LeFebvre
R B
RB
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005060:Europe; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D000091402:Prohibitins; D014481:United States
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; C000717331:PHB2 protein, human; D000091402:Prohibitins; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes