Borrelia diagnostics and screening methods

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of detecting Borrelia species in a sample (e.g., a sample from a patient suspected of being infected). In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for detecting the presence of Borrelia proteins, nucleic acid sequences encoding these proteins, and subject antibodies to these proteins, where the proteins are selected from those listed in Table 3, including: BB0279 (FliL), BBK19, BBK07, BB0286 (FlbB), BBG33, BBL27, BBN34, BBP34, BBQ42, BBQ34, BBM34, BBN27, and BBH13.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of detecting exposure of a patient to  Borrelia  using a patient sample comprising:
 a) contacting a patient sample with a BBK07 and/or BBK12 protein, wherein said BBK07 protein is capable of binding a BBK07 patient antibody, and wherein said BBK12 protein is capable of binding a BBK12 patient antibody, and   b) detecting the presence or absence of said BBK07 and/or BBK12 patient antibody in said sample based on binding, or lack thereof, of said BBK07 protein to said BBK07 patient antibody or said BBK12 protein to said BBK12 patient antibody, thereby detecting exposure of said patient to  Borrelia.      
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said  Borrelia  is  Borrelia burgdorferi.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contacting is with said BBK07 protein, and wherein said detecting detects the presence or absence of said BBK07 patient antibody in said sample. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contacting is with said BBK12 protein, and wherein said detecting detects the presence or absence of said BBK12 patient antibody in said sample. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said contacting is with both said BBK07 protein and said BBK12 protein, and wherein said detecting detects the presence or absence of both said BBK07 patient antibody and said BBK12 patient antibody in said sample.