Lyme disease is a natural epidemic disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted mainly by hard ticks. The clinical manifestations are mostly chronic inflammatory systemic damage, in addition to chronic wandering erythema and arthritis, often accompanied by symptoms such as cardiac damage and neurological involvement. Good animal models of human diseases are important tools to promote the development of basic research and medical research. By simulating various physiological phenomena or pathological symptoms in humans, we can study the pathogenesis of human diseases and diagnostic and therapeutic methods in-depth and systematically. Therefore, the development of animal models of Lyme disease will provide an important platform for the study of Lyme disease.

Ace Therapeutics can provide custom services for Lyme disease models for clients worldwide, including the rhesus monkey Lyme disease model, rabbit Lyme disease model, dog Lyme disease model, and hamster Lyme disease model. These models are more convenient and effective to study the occurrence and development pattern of Lyme disease and to study the control measures.

Customization Service Options for Animal Models for Lyme Disease

• Rhesus monkey Lyme disease model

[Modeling method] We need to select 2-4 years old rhesus monkeys (weight 1.5-3.5kg) and put 1×10⁶ N40 Burkholderia spirochetes into the rhesus monkeys subcutaneously on the back. The model animals were regularly observed for behavior, body weight, and blood test results.

[Model detection methods] ELISA, pathogen isolation and culture, histopathological changes

[Model characteristics] At the early stage of modeling, the skin at the injection site will appear erythematous and can migrate to distant areas, which is an early Lyme disease-specific lesion. Microscopically, a large infiltration of mononuclear cells is seen. After 10 weeks of infection, rhesus monkeys show signs of neurological infection.

[Model evaluation and applications] Non-human primates infected with Lyme disease can show signs of infection after several weeks, much like the course of Lyme disease infection in humans. During infection, both the non-human primate model and the mouse model of infection have strong antigenic potency, but this potency is not sufficient to kill the pathogen. This model can be better used to better study the role of immune mechanisms induced by Lyme infection, mainly the role of IgG antibodies.

• Rabbit Lyme disease model

[Modeling method] We selected male New Zealand White rabbits 6-9 months of age and inoculated B31 spirochetes into 10 subcutaneous sites on the back.

[Model detection methods] Serological testing, pathogen isolation and culture, RT-PCR testing

[Model characteristics] Model characteristics Rabbits are sensitive to Burkholderia sp. The pathogen can be detected in the serum 13-20 d after inoculation, and anti-pathogen-specific antibodies appear in the blood.

[Model evaluation and applications] New Zealand White rabbits are susceptible to Spirochaete burgdorferi infection causing erythematous typical skin lesions and are the preferred model for studying local immunity and pathogenic mechanisms caused by pathogen infection.

• Dog Lyme disease model

[Modeling method] We selected puppies 6-8 weeks old, cut the hair on the left thorax, and placed hard ticks carrying Burkholderia spirochetes on the area. The tick body was made fully engorged by biting the host.

[Model detection methods] Serological testing, pathogen isolation and culture, PCR, histopathological testing, synovial fluid and cerebrospinal fluid testing.

[Model characteristics] A few model animals showed elevated body temperature above 39.4°C for 1 d. Lameness occurred approximately 71 d after infection, mainly in the left front leg (near the tick bite site), which was prone to arthritic symptoms.

[Model evaluation and applications] The animal model of Lyme disease infection in dogs is prone to typical acute, recurrent lameness with arthro-purulent arthritis, which may develop into chronic arthritis and lameness in severe cases. This model is easy to study the mechanism of Lyme disease infection arthritis lesions, performance, drug treatment, and other related studies.

• Hamster Lyme disease model

[Modeling method] We extracted Burkholderia spirochetes from the cerebrospinal fluid of infected patients, cultured them into suspensions, and then injected them intravenously or subcutaneously into the hind paws of Syrian hamsters (weighing 80-100 g).

[Model detection methods] serological detection, histopathological detection, pathogen isolation and culture, PCR method detection.

[Model characteristics] After 14 d of infection, the presence of spirochetes could be detected in 6 organs. After 3 weeks of infection, the animal model showed swelling and lameness in the hind paws, and severe arthritic symptoms appeared as the disease progressed and worsened.

[Model evaluation and applications] The infection rate of hamsters with Stiff shoulder ticks can reach 55%-75%. Animals infected with Lyme disease can easily develop hypertrophy of the synovial membrane of the posterior tibial and toe joints, accompanied by local ulceration and covered with adhesive fibrin. Microscopically, a large number of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and microvascular dilatation are easily seen in the synovial membrane and tendon tissue. The hamster model of Lyme disease infection is mostly used in experimental transmission studies of Lyme disease, vector efficacy, and host potential analysis studies.

Note: In addition, there are other modeling services available for you to choose from, please consult us for details.

• Parasitology discovery and pre-research service
• Parasitology metabolism research service
• Parasitology target and structure function research
• Parasitology effectiveness evaluation service
• Parasitology safety evaluation service
• Parasitology pharmacological research service