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Intracellular persistence ofBorrelia burgdorferi in human synovial cells

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Abstract

To investigate ifBorrelia burgdorferi can persist in resident joint cells, an infection model using cell cultures of human synovial cells was established and compared to the interaction ofBorrelia burgdorferi and human macrophages.Borrelia burgdorferi were found attached to the cell surface or folded into the cell membrane of synovial cells analysed by transmission electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy. In contrast to macrophages, morphologically intactBorrelia burgdorferi were found in the cytosol of synovial cells without engulfment by cell membrane folds or phagosomes.Borrelia burgdorferi were isolated from parallel cultures. Treatment with ceftriaxone eradicated extracellularBorrelia burgdorferi, but spirochetes were reisolated after lysis of the synovial cells.Borrelia burgdorferi persisted inside synovial cells for at least 8 weeks. These data suggested thatBorrelia burgdorferi might be able to persist within resident joint cells in vivo.

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Author notes

  1. H. Rüssman

    Present address: Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, SUNY at Stony Brook, New York, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children's Hospital, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, D-97080, Würzburg, Germany

    H. J. Girschick, H. I. Huppertz & V. Krenn

  2. Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    H. Rüssman

  3. Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Germany

    H. Karch

Authors
  1. H. J. Girschick
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  2. H. I. Huppertz
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  3. H. Rüssman
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  4. V. Krenn
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  5. H. Karch
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Correspondence to H. I. Huppertz.

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Girschick, H.J., Huppertz, H.I., Rüssman, H. et al. Intracellular persistence ofBorrelia burgdorferi in human synovial cells. Rheumatol Int 16, 125–132 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01409985

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01409985

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