title: An OspC-specific monoclonal antibody passively protects mice from tick-transmitted infection by Borrelia burgdorferi B31.
abstract: A murine monoclonal antibody directed against Borrelia burgdorferi B31 outer surface protein C (OspC) antigen was generated by a method whereby borreliae were inoculated into the mouse via the natural transmission mode of tick feeding. Passive immunization with this antibody resulted in protection of C3H/HeJ and outbred mice from a tick-transmitted challenge infection. Immunofluorescence staining of borrelia cells indicated surface exposure of the OspC epitope reactive with the monoclonal antibody.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1671, USA. lmbow@lamar.colostate.edu
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mbow
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Gilmore
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Titus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001425:Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; C079616:OspC protein