Morphological and biochemical features of Borrelia burgdorferi pleomorphic forms

Commentary: Borrelia burgdorferi has been shown to have different pleomorphic forms in different culture conditions. The bacteria’s ability to change forms, exist in biofilms, and penetrate deep into tissues where antibiotic penetration is low, are some of the mechanisms which allow the bacteria to evade the immune system and persist. This article supports treatment regimens for borrelia that address all of the different morphologic forms i.e., cell wall forms, cystic forms (L-forms, S-forms, CWD forms…), while addressing borrelia in the intracellular compartments and biofilms.

Morphological and biochemical features of Borrelia burgdorferi pleomorphic forms, Microbiology