Capture sequencing enables enhanced genome recovery of Borrelia burgdorferi in mice.

Capture sequencing enables recovery of approximately 50% of the B. burgdorferi genome from as few as 10 spirochetes in mouse tissues.

• Why it matters: Low pathogen burden has hindered genomic studies of B. burgdorferi in hosts and contributed to debates about bacterial persistence after antibiotics, limiting understanding of Lyme disease.
• What they did: Using TBDCapSeq, an oligo capture-based sequencing assay, the study analyzed tissue samples from infected mice at 3 and 6 months, assessing spirochete burden and genome recovery in untreated and antibiotic-treated groups.
• The result: The method recovered over 90% of the genome with 35 spirochetes and found no evidence of intact bacteria after antibiotic treatment, enabling genomic insights into B. burgdorferi within animal hosts.