A Novel Surface Antigen of Relapsing Fever Spirochetes Can Discriminate between Relapsing Fever and Lyme Borreliosis

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Abstract
In a previous immunoproteome analysis ofBorrelia hermsii, candidate antigens that bound IgM antibodies from mice and patients infected with relapsing fever spirochetes were identified. One candidate that was identified is a hypothetical protein with a molecular mass of 57 kDa that we have designatedBorreliaimmunogenic protein A (BipA). This protein was further investigated as a potential diagnostic antigen forB. hermsiigiven that it is absent from theBorrelia burgdorferigenome. ThebipAlocus was amplified and sequenced from 39 isolates ofB. hermsiithat had been acquired from western North America.bipAwas also expressed as a recombinant fusion protein. Serum samples from mice and patients infected withB. hermsiiorB. burgdorferiwere used to confirm the immunogenicity of the recombinant protein in patients infected with relapsing fever spirochetes. Lastly,in silicoand experimental analysis indicated that BipA is a surface-exposed lipoprotein inB. hermsii. These findings enhance the capabilities of diagnosing infection with relapsing fever spirochetes.

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