Etiological structure of complex Ixodes tickborne borreliosis natural foci of southern taiga

: 89 primary isolates of B. garinii and 72 B. afzelii from different developmental phases of I. persulcatus, I. trianguliceps and form small mammalian hosts of Borrelia were obtained at an area of ca. 30 km2 located in low-mountain southern taiga forests (Perm region). The area provides home for two Borrelia species (B. garinii and B. afzeli) and their natural carrier Ixodes persulcatus. 23 isolate of B.garnii were obtained from skin biopsies and blood samples taken in patients with borreliosis. The isolates were studied by sequencing rrf(5S)-rrr(23S) spacer. The term genetic variant (genovariant) is proposed for the totality of isolates belonging to a given genetic subgroup of the concrete genospecies and having a similar nucleotide sequence of rrf(5S)-rrr(23S) spacer or other conservative genomic sequence. Genovariant is ths smallest intraspecies taxonomic unit in widespread Borrelia pathogenic for man. Several genovariants of B. garinii and B. afzelii may simultaneously occur in combined parasitic systems formed by these spirochetal agents of Ixodes tick-borne borreliosis. Such natural foci in southern taiga of the Perm region have a complicated etiological structure due to the presence of 14 genovariants of Borrelia belonging to the two above genetic subgroups. Specific genovariants occur annually but with different frequency. They are lacking in host-specificity.