Borrelia burgdorferi Bacteria in Domestic Animals China

Background: Borreliosis are among both the longest known and most recently recognized infectious diseases. Although Borrelia species have been isolated in many parts of the world including China, Little is known about the epidemiology of Borrelia burgdorferi pathogen in domestic animals from Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China (XUAR). Methods: In an attempt to assess the potential risk of B. burgdorferi infection in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China, a total of 99 blood samples collected from domestic animals in the north of XUAR were screened by polymerase chain reaction based on the 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer and flagellin gene. Results: 14 of the 99 specimens (14%) were found to be positive by PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer and flagellin gene sequences identified a B. burgdorferi- like bacteria, Ili district (10/72, 13.8%) and Altay district (4/27, 14.8%). Conclusions: This study has reported the occurrence of B. burgdorferi- like bacteria in Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China and suggested that B. burgdorferi bacteria encompassed a large area in China. Further studies on the characterization and culture of B. burgdorferi- like bacteria found in domestic animals should be performed to further clarify this. Additionally, the screening of human specimens for borreliosis in this region will define the incidence of infection.