Round Bodies, Blebs and Biofilms in Lyme Disease
Lyme disease biofilm research continues to evolve
Borrelia round bodies and blebs may affect persistence
Morphologic forms could influence future treatment research
Researchers continue to study whether Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, can shift into forms that may influence survival, dissemination, and persistence. These forms include spirochetes, round bodies, blebs, and biofilm-like communities.
Borrelia biofilm and morphologic forms
In an effort to better understand their significance, Corak and colleagues grew B. burgdorferi spirochete, round body, bleb, and biofilm-dominated cultures and recovered their transcriptomes by RNAseq profiling. Their non-spirochete morphotypes were induced by simple changes in growth conditions.
The authors described three pleomorphic forms as follows:
- “Spherical B. burgdorferi cells with intact and flexible cell envelope enclosing numerous flagella are often termed as ‘round bodies.’”
- “The so called ‘bleb’ morphotype is characterized by the formation of outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) on the surface of B. burgdorferi cells.”
- “The B. burgdorferi biofilms are multicellular assemblies composed of spirochete, round body, and bleb cells embedded in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix.”
Corak and colleagues were able to generate these pleomorphic forms by modifying spirochetal cultures. They found that round bodies shared similar expression profiles with spirochetes, while blebs and biofilms demonstrated different expression patterns.
The authors wrote that many controversies surrounding Lyme disease pathogenesis and treatment strategies could potentially be clarified through a better understanding of B. burgdorferi biology and evolution.
The authors postulated that these findings raise the possibility that bleb and biofilm morphotypes may contribute to dissemination and persistence of B. burgdorferi inside the mammalian host.
Research into Lyme disease biofilm remains controversial, but studies examining Borrelia morphology continue to expand the discussion regarding persistent infection, bacterial adaptation, and treatment response.
These findings do not prove that Borrelia biofilm explains every case of persistent symptoms after Lyme disease. However, they support continued investigation into how bacterial morphology and gene expression may influence the pathogenesis of Lyme disease and ongoing symptoms in some patients.
For additional discussion regarding persistence mechanisms and recovery pathways, see our articles on persister cells in Lyme disease, persistent Lyme disease infection, and Lyme disease recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lyme disease biofilm?
Lyme disease biofilm refers to biofilm-like communities formed by Borrelia burgdorferi. These structures may contain spirochetes, round bodies, and blebs embedded within an extracellular matrix.
What are round bodies in Lyme disease?
Round bodies are spherical forms of B. burgdorferi observed under certain laboratory conditions. Researchers continue to study whether these forms influence bacterial survival or persistence.
What are blebs in Borrelia burgdorferi?
Blebs are outer membrane vesicles that form on the surface of B. burgdorferi. Studies suggest they may have biologic functions distinct from classic spirochete forms.
Does Borrelia biofilm prove persistent Lyme disease?
No. Biofilm research contributes to understanding Lyme disease biology, but it does not independently prove persistent infection in every patient with ongoing symptoms.
Why do Borrelia morphologic forms matter?
Different morphologic forms may express different genes and behave differently under stress conditions. Researchers are studying whether these changes influence dissemination, immune evasion, or treatment response.
Clinical Takeaway
The Corak study adds to growing research examining Lyme disease biofilm, Borrelia morphologic forms, and bacterial adaptation. Round bodies, blebs, and biofilm-like structures may help explain why Lyme disease pathogenesis remains complex and controversial.
Understanding Borrelia biofilm and morphologic variation may prove important in future research into Lyme disease persistence, dissemination, and treatment response.
Related Articles
These related articles explore persistent infection, delayed diagnosis, symptom progression, and recovery pathways in Lyme disease.
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Lyme disease misdiagnosis
Persistent Lyme disease
Lyme disease symptoms guide
Could dormancy allow Lyme disease to survive antibiotics?
References
- Corak, et al. Pleomorphic Variants of Borreliella (syn. Borrelia) burgdorferi Express Evolutionary Distinct Transcriptomes. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(6):5594.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
I was the first to describe Round body form borrelia( cystic form)
in 1988. I am delighted to read your update from researchers in Croatia and Germany who describe on detail the molecular basis of cystic borrelia, and blebs of borrelia and biofilm borrelia communities.
Each “ variant” non spiral form of borrelia carry a molecular signature which differs from the “spiral “ form Gene expressions. These molecular signatures influence the synthesis of key “ variant” proteins
and provide an explanation for the failure of current serology test kits to detect these “ variant “ proteins.
Alan B MacDonald MD
I cannot believe it has been that many years ago. I started seeing Lyme disease patients in 1987.