Abstract
The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify DNA sequences of the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, and was applied to the detection of the spirochete in its thick vector. The target for PCR amplification was the OSP-A gene of strain B31; analysis of isolates from different geographical areas indicated that this gene could be used to identify most North American isolates. These methods were extended to the analysis of colony-derived and field-collected Ixodes dammini. OSP-A-specific sequences were identified in 15 of 15 colony-deprived nymphal ticks that had fed previously on an infected animal; no such amplification products were detected in 8 control ticks. Segregated midgut tissues of field-collected adult and nymphal ticks from Nantucket Island, Mass., and the Crane Reserve, Ipswich, Mass., were examined by both direct fluorescent-antibody (DFA) staining and PCR. The DFA technique identified 16 infected ticks of 30 paired specimens; 15 of these specimens were positive by PCR. One specimen was positive by PCR that was DFA negative. Both live whole ticks and desiccated dead specimens were suitable for this analysis. Because only live ticks are suitable for DFA analysis, the use of PCR may extend the range of specimens that can be analyzed for the presence of the Lyme spirochete.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 566-572 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Journal of Clinical Microbiology |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - 1990 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Microbiology (medical)
- Microbiology
Cite this
Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in Ixodes dammini ticks with the polymerase chain reaction. / Persing, D. H.; Telford, S. R.; Spielman, A.; Barthold, Stephen W.
In: Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Vol. 28, No. 3, 1990, p. 566-572.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in Ixodes dammini ticks with the polymerase chain reaction
AU - Persing, D. H.
AU - Telford, S. R.
AU - Spielman, A.
AU - Barthold, Stephen W
PY - 1990
Y1 - 1990
N2 - The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify DNA sequences of the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, and was applied to the detection of the spirochete in its thick vector. The target for PCR amplification was the OSP-A gene of strain B31; analysis of isolates from different geographical areas indicated that this gene could be used to identify most North American isolates. These methods were extended to the analysis of colony-derived and field-collected Ixodes dammini. OSP-A-specific sequences were identified in 15 of 15 colony-deprived nymphal ticks that had fed previously on an infected animal; no such amplification products were detected in 8 control ticks. Segregated midgut tissues of field-collected adult and nymphal ticks from Nantucket Island, Mass., and the Crane Reserve, Ipswich, Mass., were examined by both direct fluorescent-antibody (DFA) staining and PCR. The DFA technique identified 16 infected ticks of 30 paired specimens; 15 of these specimens were positive by PCR. One specimen was positive by PCR that was DFA negative. Both live whole ticks and desiccated dead specimens were suitable for this analysis. Because only live ticks are suitable for DFA analysis, the use of PCR may extend the range of specimens that can be analyzed for the presence of the Lyme spirochete.
AB - The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify DNA sequences of the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, and was applied to the detection of the spirochete in its thick vector. The target for PCR amplification was the OSP-A gene of strain B31; analysis of isolates from different geographical areas indicated that this gene could be used to identify most North American isolates. These methods were extended to the analysis of colony-derived and field-collected Ixodes dammini. OSP-A-specific sequences were identified in 15 of 15 colony-deprived nymphal ticks that had fed previously on an infected animal; no such amplification products were detected in 8 control ticks. Segregated midgut tissues of field-collected adult and nymphal ticks from Nantucket Island, Mass., and the Crane Reserve, Ipswich, Mass., were examined by both direct fluorescent-antibody (DFA) staining and PCR. The DFA technique identified 16 infected ticks of 30 paired specimens; 15 of these specimens were positive by PCR. One specimen was positive by PCR that was DFA negative. Both live whole ticks and desiccated dead specimens were suitable for this analysis. Because only live ticks are suitable for DFA analysis, the use of PCR may extend the range of specimens that can be analyzed for the presence of the Lyme spirochete.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0025098821&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 1969867
AN - SCOPUS:0025098821
VL - 28
SP - 566
EP - 572
JO - Journal of Clinical Microbiology
JF - Journal of Clinical Microbiology
SN - 0095-1137
IS - 3
ER -