title: Borrelia miyamotoi: a widespread tick-borne relapsing fever spirochete.
abstract: Borrelia miyamotoi is a relapsing fever spirochete that has only recently been identified as a human pathogen. Borrelia miyamotoi is genetically and ecologically distinct from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, while both are present in Ixodes ticks. Over 50 patients with an acute febrile illness have been described with a B. miyamotoi infection, and two infected immunocompromised patients developed a meningoencephalitis. Seroprevalence studies indicate exposure in the general population and in specific risk groups, such as patients initially suspected of having human granulocytic anaplasmosis. Here, we review the available literature on B. miyamotoi, describing its presence in ticks, reservoir hosts, and humans, and discussing its potential impact on public health.
authors.affiliation: Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wagemakers
authors.affiliation: Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Pieter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Staarink
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology, National Institute for Public Health and Environment (RIVM), Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, PO Box 1, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sprong
authors.affiliation: Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Amsterdam Multidisciplinary Lyme Center, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: lyme@amc.uva.nl.
authors.forename: Joppe W R
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hovius
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000469:parasitology; D001898:Borrelia / Q000502:physiology*; D001899:Borrelia Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D018884:Ixodes / Q000469:parasitology*; D012061:Relapsing Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission
keywords: Borrelia miyamotoi; Ixodes; tick-borne relapsing fever