A genetic analysis of Lyme disease bacteria has been generated by a group of biologists working under the direction of the CUNY Graduate Center. This research has the potential to enhance the detection, management, and avoidance of this illness that is transmitted by ticks. Through the process of mapping the whole genetic composition of 47 strains of Lyme disease-related bacteria from all around the world, the researchers were able to develop a robust method for pinpointing the bacterial strains that infect people.
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Potential for Improved Diagnostic Tests and Treatments For Lyme
There are hundreds of thousands of individuals who are affected with Lyme disease each year, making it the most prevalent tick-borne sickness in both North America and Europe. In the event that the infection is not treated, it has the potential to move into the the heart, joints, and nerve system, resulting in more severe consequences. Fortunately, we are getting closer to more effective diagnostic tests and, of course, better therapies, every time scientists and researchers come across new information after prolonged lab work.
As a result, the researchers matched the genomes and recreated the evolutionary history of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, tracing their roots back millions of years. They made the discovery that the bacteria most likely originated prior to the disintegration of the ancient supercontinent Pangea, which is genuinely intriguing.
By understanding how these bacteria evolve and exchange genetic material, we’re better equipped to monitor their spread and respond to their ability to cause disease in humans, stated Weigang Qiu, a professor of Biology at the CUNY Graduate Center and Hunter College and the corresponding author of the study.
Additionally, the study shed light on the process by which bacteria share genetic material within and between species. Researchers were able to pinpoint specific hot areas within the genomes of bacteria that are the sites where this genetic exchange takes place the most frequently. These hot spots frequently involve genes that assist the bacteria in interacting with their tick carriers and animal hosts.
The research was published in the mBio journal.
