The <i>dbpAB</i> mutant overeproducing DbpA or DbpB causes persistent infection.^a

Groups of five BALB/c mice were inoculated with the clone ΔdbpAB/dbpAB/1, ΔdbpAB/dbpAB/2, ΔdbpAB/dbpA'/1, ΔdbpAB/dbpA'/2, ΔdbpAB/dbpB'/1 or ΔdbpAB/dbpB'/2 and sacrificed 4 months later. One animal that was challenged with the clone ΔdbpAB/dbpB'/1 was lost during the study. Heart, tibiotarsal joint and skin specimens were harvested for spirochete culture.