Murine microglia are effective phagocytes for Borrelia burgdorferi.

Lyme disease is a multi-systemic infection that causes diverse neurologic dysfunction collectively known as neuroborreliosis. In the murine model of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi are seldom found in the nervous system indicating that the spirochetes are rapidly cleared from the brain and peripheral nerves. In the present study, we examined the interaction between microglia and B. burgdorferi. Murine microglia are efficient phagocytes and are capable of ingesting and killing spirochetes with or without opsonization.