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Borrelia recurrentis
Species of bacterium From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Borrelia recurrentis is a species of Borrelia, a spirochaete bacterium associated with relapsing fever.[1][2] B. recurrentis is usually transmitted from person to person by the human body louse.[3] Since the 1800s, the body louse has been known as its only known vector.[4]
B. recurrentis DNA was found in 23% of head lice from patients with louse-borne relapsing fever in Ethiopia. Whether head lice can transmit these bacteria from one person to another remains to be determined.[4]
It is notable for its ability to alter the proteins expressed on its surface, which causes the "relapsing" characteristic of relapsing fever.[5]
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Origins
Genomic analysis of ancient B. recurrentis samples suggests the species diverged from its closest tick-borne relative, Borrelia duttonii, approximately 6,000 to 4,000 years ago during the Late Neolithic to Early Bronze Age.[6]
The transition to louse-borne transmission is linked with increased sedentism, agriculture , and densely populated settlements. The divergence also coincides with the rise of sheep farming for wool in the Near East, Caucasus, and Pontic-Caspian steppe around 6,000 years ago, and its spread to Europe by at least 4,000 years ago. Wool-based textiles created more favorable conditions for human body lice, as the rougher material provides better surfaces for egg laying than plant-based textiles.[6]
Ancient DNA evidence from Britain finds B. recurrentis infections dating back 2,300 years to the Iron Age, with medieval evidence from around 600 years ago. The evolutionary transition from tick-borne relatives involved genome reduction and increased virulence. Much of this genomic change occurred by 2,300 years ago, with additional change continuing until 1,000 years ago.[6]
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References
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