These data show that ospA is repressed while p35 and p37 are induced in human infection; these results are the first direct demonstration of differential B. burgdorferi gene expression during Lyme disease.
The use of in vivo-expressed antigens such as P35 and P37 represents a new approach for Lyme disease serodiagnosis and for understanding the role of B. burgdorferi-specific immune responses in host immunity.