Borrelia miyamotoi: A Comprehensive Review

Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging tick-borne pathogen in the Northern Hemisphere and is the causative agent of Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD). Borrelia miyamotoi is vectored by the same hard-bodied ticks as Lyme disease Borrelia, yet phylogenetically groups with relapsing fever Borrelia, and thus, has been uniquely labeled a hard tick-borne relapsing fever Borrelia. Burgeoning research has uncovered new aspects of B. miyamotoi in human patients, nature, and the lab. Of particular interest are novel findings on disease pathology, prevalence, diagnostic methods, ecological maintenance, transmission, and genetic characteristics. Herein, we review recent literature on B. miyamotoi, discuss how findings adapt to current Borrelia doctrines, and briefly consider what remains unknown about B. miyamotoi.

Automated summary

Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging tick-borne pathogen causing Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD). It is vectored by the same hard-bodied ticks as Lyme disease Borrelia, but is phylogenetically related to relapsing fever Borrelia. Recent research has revealed new aspects of B. miyamotoi in human patients, nature, and the lab, including disease pathology, prevalence, diagnostic methods, ecological maintenance, transmission, and genetic characteristics. This review discusses these findings in relation to current Borrelia doctrines and highlights what remains unknown about B. miyamotoi.