TABLE 2.
ΔcheD spirochete-infected nymphal ticks are able to transmit the organisms into naive C3H/HeN micea
| Strain | No. of tissues positive/no. examined | No. of mice infected/no. tested |
|---|---|---|
| Wild type | 8/9 | 3/3 |
| ΔcheD | 9/9 | 3/3 |
| cheDcom | 8/9 | 3/3 |
a
Fifteen infected nymphs molted from larvae (from an acquisition assay) were allowed to feed on each C3H/HeN mouse. The mice were euthanized 3 weeks postrepletion. Infectivity was determined by reisolation of B. burgdorferi from the tissues of the euthanized mice. A representative result from two independent studies is shown.