VIRULENCE ASSOCIATED PROTEINS IN (BORRELIA BURGDORFERI (BB)

摘要

The invention relates to a DNA segment encoding a Borrelia burgdorferi antigenic polypeptide. The invention also relates to a purified 30 kDa polypeptide isolated from a virulent strain of B. burgdorferi and to epitopic segments of the polypeptide with immunogenic potential. The 30 kDa protein provides a route for the development of immunodiagnostics for Lyme disease and related disorders. The 30 kDa protein and related amino acid and DNA sequences may also be used for the immunization, for the detection of B. burgdorferi in human or animal tissues or body fluids, and also for the generation of specific antibodies for use in diagnosis, epidemiology, and prevention of Lyme disease.