Infection of laboratory mice with the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent does not induce antibodies to diagnostically significant Borrelia burgdorferi antigens

Laboratory diagnosis of Borrelia burgdorferi is routinely made by an enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay, with positive results confirmed by Western blo t analysis. Concern has been raised that false-positive diagnoses may be ma de on the basis of serologic cross-reactivity with antibodies directed agai nst other bacterial pathogens, in particular the agent of human granulocyti c ehrlichiosis (HGE). The present study made use of a mouse model to ascert ain the validity of these concerns. Two different strains of mice were inoc ulated with the HGE agent and assayed for production of polyclonal and mono clonal antibodies to antigens of both of these bacteria. Infection of mice with the HGE agent does not induce diagnostically significant B. burgdorfer i serologic cross-reactions.