Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for detection, diagnosis and prognosis of Lyme disease (LD), including a method for confirming Borrelia spp. infection by contacting, in vitro, whole blood samples from subjects suspected of having LD with synthetic peptides comprising T-cell epitope-containing regions derived from Borrelia proteins that are expressed at different stages of Lyme disease, and indirectly detecting LD-specific activated T-cells by determining production of a T-cell immune response indicator (e.g., interferon-Y) in response to stimulation by the peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in one aspect, to the detection of Lyme disease in canines by detecting the peptide or antibodies to an infection specific peptide after challenge with B. burgdorferi. The 20 kDa peptide is not detectable in human sera samples after challenge or infection with B. burgdorferi and, as such, appears to be specific for canines and suitable for the consistent detection of Lyme disease in canines at time points earlier that possible with prior art methods.

Abstract: An OspC Dra fragment fusion peptide isolated from Borrelia burgdorferi is described herein for the prevention, treatment and early diagnosis of Lyme disease in humans and other animals. This invention also relates to a screening method detecting anti-Osp borreliacidal antibody activity, and antibodies reacting with a protein fragment encoded by a DraI-SmaI DNA fragment of OspC.