Simultaneous expression of OspC, DbpA and DbpB was unable to protect the rpoS mutant from quick clearance a.

aGroups of six SCID mice each received two intradermal/subcutaneous injections of the transformant ΔrpoS/rpoS, ΔrpoS/E22, ΔrpoS/ospC′ or ΔrpoS/C′B′A′. Approximately 105 organisms were administered in each inoculation; two inoculation sites were at least 2 cm apart. Three animals from each group were euthanized at 24 and 48 hour post-inoculation; skin specimens were harvested from inoculation sites and cultured for spirochetes in BSK-H complete medium.