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, e.g., to a composition comprising peptides represented by SEQ ID NO:1, or active variants thereof, wherein the peptides or active variants can bind specifically to an antibody induced by a causative agent of Lyme disease (a pathogenic Borrelia), e.g. in a sample from a subject having Lyme disease. Compositions of the invention may comprise multiple peptides, from multiple proteins. Diagnostic kits comprising the peptides are described, as are diagnostic assays using the peptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates, e.g., to a Lactobacillus bacterium, which (1) expresses a recombinant polypeptide containing a lipoprotein signal sequence from the OspA protein of Borrelia burgdorferi, or an active variant of the leader sequence, operably linked to one or more heterologous polypeptide(s) of interest and/or (2) which comprises an expressible polynucleotide encoding a recombinant polypeptide, wherein the polynucleotide encodes a lipoprotein signal from the OspA protein of Borrelia burgdorferi, or an active variant thereof, which is operably linked to one or more heterologous polypeptide(s) of interest. In one embodiment, the heterologous polypeptide is from Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague. In another embodiment, the heterologous polypeptide is from Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease.