Detection of borrelia species in ticks

Abstract

The pathogens, that causes Lyme disease are bacteria, so called Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., which is transmitted mainly by ticks. In order to identify borrelia species ticks should be collected from different objects (birds, rodents, vegetation...) and all field sample information should be documented. The genetic material of borrelia is DNA because of that it can be relatively easily detected using the PCR method and specific primers. Using genospecies-specific primers based on the plasmid ospA sequence, we are able to differentiate the three Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. genospecies associated with Lyme disease. Information about Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. species might have a significant importance for monitoring of Lyme disease