Phenotypic variation in Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and isolates from Missouri, USA

Seven species of ticks (n=1,088) collected by dragging and from mammals captured in southeastern Missouri, USA, during 1995 and 1996, were tested by indirect and direct immunofluorescent assays for Borrelia species and B. burgdorferi. Variation occurred in the reactivities of various tick species and in four isolates from Missouri to species specific monoclonal antibodies (MAB) and polyclonal anti-Borrelia antibodies (PAB). MAB specific for B. burgdorferi were H5332 and H3TS for Osp A, H614 for Osp B and H605 for flagellin. The PAB labeled “Borrelia genus specific” cross-reacted with other spirochetes, specifically Leptospira and Treponema. The PAB labeled “B. burgdorferi specific” cross-reacted with B. turicatae and B. anserina. One Haemaphysalis leporispalustris and 19 Ixodes dentatus were positive for B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. Ten ticks were positive for B. burgdorferi sensu lato: 5 Amblyomma americanum, 1 H. leporispalustris, 3 I. dentatus, and 1 I. scapularis.