Studies Conducted at University of Vienna on Borrelia Recently Published (A metalloprotease secreted by an environmentally acquired gut bacterium hinders Borrelia afzelii colonization in Ixodes ricinus).

A recent study conducted at the University of Vienna explores the impact of an environmentally acquired gut bacterium on Borrelia afzelii colonization in Ixodes ricinus ticks. The research reveals that a metalloprotease secreted by this bacterium can hinder the colonization of Borrelia, potentially reducing the burden of the pathogen in tick vectors. This study sheds light on the role of the gut microbiome in determining tick vector competence and provides insights into the complex interactions between Borrelia, ticks, and their microbiome. [Extracted from the article]