A Note on Strain Variation in Akola and Jabalpur Strains of Borrelia anserina

Abstract

Strain variation in the spirochaete B. anserina has been reported MULEY, 1968, 1972;PARATKAR and MEHTA, 1973). This information on strain variation is of paramount significance from the prophylaxis point of view. In spirochaetosis, strain specific immunity is produced and in some cases partial protection is afforded where two strains share common antigens. In this communication, studies with a strain isolated from the Akola region of Maharastra (India) as compared to the local Jabalpur (India) strain are presented.Akola strains of B. anserina were procured from a private poultry farm cmd were passaged in chickens 6 weeks of age. After infection, birds were treated by penicillin injection (20,000 IU, intramuscular per bird). A new batch of chickens were infected with Jabalpur strain of B. anserina and were similarly treated. Ten days after recovery, recovered plasma was obtained. The recovered chickens were saved for challenge test. Similarity or otherwise of the strains under study was detected by the cross immobilization test.For challenge test, the recovered chickens with Akola strain infection, were challenged with 0.2 ml. B. anserina Jabalpur strain infected blood by intra-muscular mute. Jabalpur strain recovered chickens were likewise challenged with Akola strain. The challenged chickens were observed daily for the presence or absence of infection for a total period of ten days. Presence or absence of spirochaetes was observed under dark ground illumination.It was observed that Akola strain was equally potent in infecting the susceptible chickens and followed practically the same course as observed in chickens infected with Jabalpur strain of B. anserina. * Associate Prof. Very. Medicine (Officer In charge Ambulatory Clinic).

Estudo de Borrelia spp. no Brasil

“…Análises filogenéticas da seqüência parcial do gene flaB da cepa PL mostraram que esta cepa diferenciou em 10 nucleotídeos da cepa de B. anserina da América do Norte, refletindo em pelo menos 1 amino-ácido diferente. Como o gene flaB codifica uma proteína de membrana externa, essa diferença pode ser ligada a uma possível diferença antigênica entre as duas cepas de B.anserina, já que diferentes variantes antigênicas de B. anserina têm sido relatadas (DAMASSA;ADLER, 1979;SAMBRI et al, 1999SONI;JOSHI, 1980;). De fato, anticorpos cepa-específicos têm sido relatados contra a infecção por B. anserina (SAMBRI et al, 1999).…”

“…Isto era justificado pelos resultados negativos obtidos nos testes de imunidades cruzadas em aves de laboratório com cepas de diferentes pontos geográficos. Atualmente, é bem conhecido que existem diferentes variedades antigênicas de B. anserina e a imunidade ativa pode ser especifica para determinadas variedades (DAMASSA;ADLER, 1979;NOPPA et al, 1995, SAMBRI et al, 1999SONI;JOSHI, 1980;). No entanto, a caracterização molecular foi feita apenas de cepas de B. anserina originais dos Estados Unidos (BUNIKIS et al, 1998;MARCONI;GARON, 1992;MARTI RAS et al, 1996;PASTER et al, 1991).…”