DIVERSITY OF OSPA AND OSPC AMONG CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID ISOLATES OF BORRELIA-BURGDORFERI SENSU-LATO FROM PATIENTS WITH NEUROBORRELIOSIS IN GERMANY

Neuroborreliosis is the most frequent manifestation of the second stag e of Lyme borreliosis in Europe. However, only few isolates from the c erobrospinal fluid (CSF) have been characterized with controversial re sults. A large panel of 36 CSF isolates isolated over a 10-year period in Munich has now been analyzed for their OspA and OspC type, resulti ng in at least eight different types, respectively. Representatives of the different types cultivated from CSF in Munich have also been isol ated from other geographical regions in Europe from CSF or ticks, sugg esting a widespread distribution of pathogenic strains. A certain OspA type (type 4) was frequently observed in adults but rarely in childre n or ticks. Since OspA and OspC are the most promising candidates for a Borrelia vaccine, the considerable heterogeneity found among CSF iso lates has important implications for development of a vaccine in Europ e.