Authors: A. Goc, W. Sumera, A. Niedzwiecki, M. Rath

Presented at: ASM Microbe 2018; June 7–11, 2018 | Atlanta, GA

Published in: ASM Microbe 2018 Final Program; Poster # SUNDAY-302

Abstract: Borrelia sp., is a causative pathogen of Lyme disease that has become a growing health concern in the USA and Europe. Non-toxic treatment approaches especially directed toward latent persistent forms of this pathogen are desired. Organic oils and lipids with proven anti-borreliae efficacy could become an additional alternative for consideration in treatment approaches. In this study, using microscopic and spectrofluorometric methods, we investigated 54 non-volatile and volatile oils and lipids against typical motile, knob/round-shaped persisters, and biofilm-like aggregates of Borreliaburgdorferis.s. and Borreliagarinii which are identified as pathogenic factors of Lyme disease in the USA and Europe. Out of all the 54 examined agents of plant and animal origin, none of non-volatile oils showed anti-borreliae efficacy, whereas 15 lipids and 21 volatile oils showed bacteriostatic efficacy against typical motile spirochetes. Three lipids (linoleic acid, erucic acid, petroselinic acid) and three volatile oils (sweet birch oil, laurel leaf oil, chamomile oil) revealed their bactericidal activity against typical motile spirochetes at or below 1.0% concentration. The same agents exhibited similar bactericidal efficacy against persisters, and two (erucic acid, chamomile oil) showed to target biofilm-like structures of both tested Borrelia spp. although none of the examined substances were able to reach the 90% of eradication mark. Based on the obtained results, volatile oils were more potent than non-volatile oils and lipids. Also, among all tested agents, chamomile oil and erucic acid seem to have the highest anti-borreliae efficacy.