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Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is the most prevalent vector-borne illness in the United States and Europe and a growing threat to global health. In addition Lyme disease is considered a model system of emerging infectious diseases. The book Borrelia: Molecular Biology, Host Interaction and Pathogenesis published in 2010 was the first state-of-the-art reference work covering the myriad, interlaced facets of the enzootic disorders caused by pathogenic Borrelia. This current volume, by the same editors, builds on the previous work and contains a vast amount of new information, a wider scope, and increased coverage of genomics, genetics, evolutionary biology, vector biology, physiology, pathogenicity, immune response, and immune evasion. Written by renowned scientists who have made seminal contributions to the field, this book contains an expansive treatment of the options to track live spirochetes and evaluate gene expression in ticks and mice, provides insights into the workings of the flagellar motor, presents up-to-date research on the modulation of gene expression, and reviews recent studies on the Lyme disease spirochete's networks of regulatory pathways. The volume highlights and describes in detail the tremendous advances in understanding of the Borrelia genus at the molecular and cellular levels as well as the pathogenesis of Lyme disease and relapsing fever. This comprehensive volume is indispensable for anyone involved in Borrelia and Lyme disease research and is highly recommended for microbiologists, immunologists, and physicians with an interest in spirochetes, vector-borne illness, or emerging infectious diseases. The book is a recommended reference volume for all microbiology libraries.

The genus Borrelia, in the spirochete phylum, is not closely related to any other bacteria and has a highly unusual genome composed of a linear chromosome and multiple circular and linear plasmids that appear to be in a constant state of rearrangement, recombination, and deletion. The determination of the genome sequence of Borrelia strains has facilitated tremendous advances in understanding this genus at the molecular and cellular level as well as the pathogenesis of Lyme disease and relapsing fever. In recent years there has been an explosion of new insights into the molecular biology, genetics, physiology, and ecology of Borrelia and its tick/vertebrate life cycle. This research is of particular importance as the incidence of Lyme borreliosis continues to increase. Written by renowned scientists who have made seminal contributions to the field, this book is a comprehensive guide to the pathogenic Borrelia, providing researchers, advanced students, clinicians, and other professionals with an encyclopedic overview of the molecular biology of this important genus and the pathogenesis of diseases caused. Leading authorities have contributed chapters on topics such as Borrelia genomics, DNA replication, gene regulation, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolism and physiology, cellular structure, motility and chemotaxis, genetic manipulation, evolutionary genetics, ecology, tick interactions, Lyme disease and relapsing fever pathogenesis, animal models, host response, detection, and vaccines. The volume is essential for anyone involved in Borrelia research and is strongly recommended for microbiologists, immunologists, and physicians involved in spirochete research, Lyme borreliosis, or relapsing fever. The book is a recommended reference volume for all microbiology libraries.

In the past Treponema research was severely handicapped because the organisms were notoriously difficult to work with and were unculturable in the laboratory. Powerful molecular and genetic tools developed in recent years have been successfully used to dramatically expand our understanding of treponemal diversity, genomics, and cellular and molecular biology. Major breakthroughs include sequencing of Treponema genomes and the development of modern molecular methods. This volume is the first comprehensive review of treponemal research to be published in more than twenty years. Written by leading experts in the field, this book presents the current state of research on these organisms that affect the health of millions of people worldwide. The structure and metabolism of the treponemes are explored in light of the comparative genomics data now available. The newest information concerning their pathogenic mechanisms, as well as the complex innate and adaptive immune responses they elicit, are detailed. A number of chapters illustrate how our knowledge of syphilis has grown in the molecular era despite the continuing inability to propagate its elusive etiologic agent. The book also provides an historical perspective on treponemal research that will be of considerable interest. This compilation will serve as an essential reference for microbiologists, immunologists, and physicians who deal with these organisms on a day-by-day basis or who wish to understand them better in the context of contemporary microbiology. Topics covered include the phylogenic diversity, comparative genomics, metabolism and cultivation, motility, antigenic variation, immunology of syphilis, the use cultivatable treponemes as surrogates for T. pallidum, oral treponemes, and much much more. Essential reading for all scientists and researchers working on trepenomes and other spirochetes and a recommended reference book for all microbiology laboratories.