OSPB Sequence Variation of Borrelia Burgdorferi Along the Coast of Maine

We sequenced the OspB genes of 51 Borrelia burgdorferi isolates from five sites along the coast of Maine. Seven unique nucleotide sequences were observed, with an average pairwise difference of 0.47%. Five unique amino acid sequences were represented, differing at up to five residues. Multiple strains were observed at three sites, and most strains were found at more than one site. Multiple strains were recovered from a single rat on Monhegan Island. High strain diversity of B. burgdorferi may play a role in determining the abundance of this spirochete.