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Borrelia recurrentis
Species of bacterium / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Quick Facts Borrelia recurrentis, Scientific classification ...
Borrelia recurrentis | |
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Photomicrographic view of a culture specimen showing Borrelia recurrentis bacteria | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Bacteria |
Phylum: | Spirochaetota |
Class: | Spirochaetia |
Order: | Spirochaetales |
Family: | Borreliaceae |
Genus: | Borrelia |
Species: | B. recurrentis |
Binomial name | |
Borrelia recurrentis (Lebert, 1874) Bergey et al., 1925 | |
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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]