Borrelia afzelii: Difference between revisions
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==Description and Significance== | ==Description and Significance== | ||
Borrelia afzelli is considered a new species of the Genus Borrelia. Diseases linked to this species of Borrelia are Lyme disease and Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA). In understanding the structure and function of this pathogen, the easier it will be to treat people with the diseases it causes. | Borrelia afzelli is considered a new species of the Genus Borrelia and considered homologous to Borrelia burgdorferi with regard to phenotypic, genetic, and immunological characteristics. Diseases linked to this species of Borrelia are Lyme disease and Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA). In understanding the structure and function of this pathogen, the easier it will be to treat people with the diseases it causes. | ||
==Genome Structure== | ==Genome Structure== | ||
Revision as of 04:57, 5 June 2007
Classification
Higher order taxa:
Kingdom: Bacteria, Phylum: Spirochaetes, Class: Spriochaetes, Order: Spirochaetales, Family: Spirochaetaceae, Genus: Borrelia
Species
Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia lonestari, Borrelia recurrentis
Description and Significance
Borrelia afzelli is considered a new species of the Genus Borrelia and considered homologous to Borrelia burgdorferi with regard to phenotypic, genetic, and immunological characteristics. Diseases linked to this species of Borrelia are Lyme disease and Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA). In understanding the structure and function of this pathogen, the easier it will be to treat people with the diseases it causes.
Genome Structure
The genome sequencing of this particular strain is still underway as it is still a very new strain. However, all previous species of Borrelia have had linear chromosomes, ranging in sizes from 900-920kb pairs having circular and linear plasmids.
Cell Structure and Metabolism
The phenotype of the species afzelli include being, a motile, nonsporulating, spirally-shaped, aerobic, pathogen. Also, it is a gram negative bacterium and is generally transmitted through ticks. Being spirally-shaped, allows it to penetrate deep into its hosts avoiding recognition of an immune response.
