Studies in Borreliae

One strain of Borrelia turicatae and one of B. parkeri were studied. The organisms had chemical compositions similar to those of leptospirae and of Trypanosoma brucei. Three antigenic factors were isolated, of which two were proteins and one a protein or polypeptide complex. One antigen, designated B, was shared by B. turicatae and B. parkeri. It did not differ in strains isolated from the first attack and from relapse. Antigens A and C were strain and relapse specific. These two antigens also played a role in the immobilization and lysis of borreliae. They reacted with antibodies present in the β- and γ-globulin fractions of the immune sera. Relapse sera protected young rats against borreliae from both the relapse and the first attack, while sera collected after the first attack did not protect against borreliae isolated from the relapse. The immune sera had a strong immobilizing and lytic activity, the latter dependent on complement. The strains used in this experiment did not show adhesion. Lysis was, therefore, considered independent of the adhesion phenomenon.