Animal Models of Borreliosis
Monica E. Embers, Stephen W. Barthold and Diego Cadavid
from: Lyme Disease and Relapsing Fever Spirochetes: Genomics, Molecular Biology, Host Interactions and Disease Pathogenesis (Edited by: Justin D. Radolf and D. Scott Samuels). Caister Academic Press, U.K. (2021) Pages: 447-498.
Abstract
Animal models have been extremely useful for understanding many features of infection with Borrelia species, including pathogenesis, host responses, host-vector interactions, in vivo bacterial gene expression, vaccine responses, and chemotherapy. In particular, the smaller animal models have been beneficial in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of Lyme and relapsing fever spirochetes, mechanisms of immune evasion and generation of arthritis. The larger animal models including dogs and primates, have been valuable for the development of vaccines and diagnostics. Each animal model brings its own set of benefits for studying aspects of borreliosis, which is what we aim to convey in this chapter. We begin with the laboratory mouse, with which the majority of borreliosis studies have been conducted. We also discuss wild mice and other rodent models, rabbits, dogs, horses and nonhuman primates. We conclude with a summary of results in animal models on the controversial topic of antimicrobial efficacy. Some degree of overlap may exist with these subjects that are covered in other chapters, but the goal of this chapter is to focus on the practical aspects of various animal models used for Lyme borreliosis and relapsing fever research read more ...
