@Article{ecn.2017.0396,
AUTHOR = {Dennis Verhaegh, Leo A. B. Joosten, Marije Oosting},
TITLE = {The role of host immune cells and <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i> antigens in the etiology of Lyme disease},
JOURNAL = {European Cytokine Network},
VOLUME = {28},
YEAR = {2017},
NUMBER = {2},
PAGES = {70--84},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/ECN/v28n2/65521},
ISSN = {1952-4005},
ABSTRACT = {Lyme disease is a zoonosis caused by infection with bacteria belonging to the <i>Borrelia burgdorferi</i>
species after the bite of an infected tick. Even though an infection by this bacterium can be effectively treated with
antibiotics, when the infection stays unnoticed <i>B. burgdorferi</i> can persist and chronic post-treatment Lyme disease
syndrome is able to develop. Although a cellular and humoral response is observed after an infection with theBorrelia
bacteria, these pathogens are still capable to stay alive. Several immune evasive mechanisms have been revealed
and explained and much work has been put into the understanding of the contribution of the innate and adaptive
immune response. This review provides an overview with the latest findings regarding the cells of the innate and
adaptive immune systems, how they recognize contribute and mediate in the killing of the <i>B. burgdorferi</i> spirochete.
Moreover, this review also elaborates on the antigens that are expressed by on the spirochete. Since antigens drive
the adaptive and, indirectly, the innate response, this review will discuss briefly the most important antigens that
are described to date. Finally, there will be a brief elaboration on the escape mechanisms of <i>B. burgdorferi</i> with a
focus on tick salivary proteins and spirochete antigens.},
DOI = {10.1684/ecn.2017.0396}
}