Borrelia burgdorferi disrupts gut barrier functions and microbiota-antibody interactions.

Borrelia burgdorferi causes rapid disruption of gut barrier functions and impairs microbiota-antibody interactions in infected mice and humans.

• Why it matters: Understanding how Bb affects gut health is crucial because gut barrier dysfunction and immune impairment may contribute to Lyme disease symptoms and progression, yet the mechanisms remain unclear.
• What they did: The study involved infecting mice with Bb and analyzing blood and gut samples, alongside examining blood changes in patients with acute Lyme disease, to assess gut permeability, immune responses, and microbiota alterations.
• The result: Findings show Bb induces a leaky gut, systemic endotoxemia, and immune suppression, which precede changes in gut microbiota and fatty acid production, highlighting potential targets for intervention.