A genetic analysis of Lyme disease bacteria may pave the way for improved diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the tick-borne ailment.
Rutgers UniversityAug 16 2024
Steven Schutzer, Study Co-Author and Professor, Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University Case numbers are increasing steadily, with 476,000 new cases each year in the US, and may grow faster with climate change, the study authors said. Related StoriesThe study also revealed how these bacteria exchange genetic material within and between species. This process, known as recombination, allows the bacteria to evolve rapidly and adapt to new environments. The researchers identified specific hot spots in the bacterial genomes where this genetic exchange occurs most frequently, often involving genes that help the bacteria interact with their tick vectors and animal hosts.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to analyze more strains of Lyme disease bacteria, particularly from understudied regions. They also aim to investigate the functions of genes unique to disease-causing strains, which could reveal new targets for therapeutic interventions.
Lyme Disease Bacteria Borrelia Climate Change Diagnostic Evolution Genes Medical School Medicine Physiology Public Health Research Research Project
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