Lyme borreliosis in genetically resistant and susceptible mice with severe combined immunodeficiency.

SW Barthold, CL Sidman, AL Smith - The American journal of …, 1992 - europepmc.org
SW Barthold, CL Sidman, AL Smith
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 1992europepmc.org
The evolution of Lyme borreliosis was examined in genetically resistant CB-17 and
susceptible C3H/He (C3H) mice homozygous for the severe combined immune deficiency
(scid) gene, or their immunocompetent counterparts. The CB-17, CB-17-scid, C3H, and C3H-
scid mice were inoculated intradermally with 10 (4) Borrelia burgdorferi and examined on
days 14, 21, 30, 45, and 60 after inoculation. Spirochetemia was detected through 30 days,
but was cleared in all groups by 45 days. Kidney and brain were inconsistently culture …
The evolution of Lyme borreliosis was examined in genetically resistant CB-17 and susceptible C3H/He (C3H) mice homozygous for the severe combined immune deficiency (scid) gene, or their immunocompetent counterparts. The CB-17, CB-17-scid, C3H, and C3H-scid mice were inoculated intradermally with 10 (4) Borrelia burgdorferi and examined on days 14, 21, 30, 45, and 60 after inoculation. Spirochetemia was detected through 30 days, but was cleared in all groups by 45 days. Kidney and brain were inconsistently culture positive, but spleen and ear punch samples were positive in most mice. Immunocompetent CB-17 and C3H mice seroconverted with equivalent IgG titers to B. burgdorferi, while CB-17-scid and C3H-scid mice did not seroconvert. Arthritis occurred in nearly all joints examined in all genotypes on day 14, was of equal severity among CB-17, CB-17-scid, and C3H mice, but was more severe in C3H-scid mice. By days 30 and 45, arthritis began to resolve in immunocompetent mice, with C3H mice having more severe disease than CB-17 mice. Arthritis persisted in CB-17-scid and C3H-scid mice. Carditis occurred to an equal degree in all groups on day 14, remained active in scid mice, but regressed in immunocompetent mice at later intervals. Many spirochetes were visualized with silver stain in inflamed synovial tissues of scid mice, and were present in other tissues in smaller numbers. These studies show that specific immunity is not involved in arthritogenesis or genetically determined susceptibility to arthritis, but is involved in arthritis and carditis regression.
europepmc.org