IMMUNIZATION WITH A POLYVALENT OSPA VACCINE PROTECTS MICE AGAINST IXODES-RICINUS TICK BITES INFECTED BY BORRELIA-BURGDORFERI SS, BORRELIA-GARINII AND BORRELIA-AFZELII

Sequence variability of the outer surface protein (Osp) A among Borrel ia burgdorferi sl species suggests that a monovalent OspA vaccine may not protect against the various Borrelia present in Eurasia. Here, we confirmed that a monovalent recombinant OspA (rOspA) vaccine noes not protect mice against Ixodes ricinus mediated infection with B. burgdor feri ss, Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii. However when mice were vaccinated with a cocktail of various rOspA from these three species, they were protected, and all challenge ricks that fed on them were cl eared of their spirochetes. These results showed that a multiple OspA antigens vaccine, compatible with human use, was very efficient at pro tecting mice against B. burgdorferi ss, B. garinii and B. afzelii. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.