Borrelia hermsii is a spirochete bacterium, transmitted by tick bites, that causes an illness characterized by a relapsing fever. The bacteria enter the host bloodstream and replicate there. Studies in mice show that episodes of bacteremia (bacteria in the blood) are efficiently controlled by anti-bacterial antibodies, but interestingly, follicular B cells are not required for this response, nor is the response impaired by splenectomizing the mice (i.e., removing the spleen). Which B cells are most likely responsible for this antibody response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer of Borrelia hermsii is a spirochete bacterium, transmitted by tick bites, that causes an illness characterized by a relapsing fever. The bacteria enter the host bloodstream and replicate there. Studies in mice show that episodes of bacteremia (bacteria in the blood) are efficiently controlled by anti-bacterial antibodies, but interestingly, follicular B cells are not required for this response, nor is the response impaired by splenectomizing the mice (i.e., removing the spleen). Which B cells are most likely responsible for this antibody response?

Borrelia Hermsii Is a Spirochete Bacterium, Transmitted by Tick Bites