Bacteriocidal activity of lizard and mouse serum for Borrelia lonestari, putative agent of a Lyme-like illness (AKA STARI or Masters disease) in Missouri

Abstract

Objective: To determine responses of Borrelia lonestari and Borrelia burgdorferi to Eastern Fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus) and Swiss-Webster mouse (Mus musculus) sera.

Results: Lizard sera lysed both Borrelia lonestari and Borrelia burgdorferi. Mouse sera lysed only Borrelia lonestari.

Conclusions: Borrelia lonestari and Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes did not survive exposure to lizard sera. Mice are reservoirs for Borrelia burgdorferi but may not be a Borrelia lonestari reservoir because spirochetes did not survive exposure to mouse sera.