B. burgdorferi is a relatively complex organism. The spirochete
contains enzymes that facilitate tissue penetration
and has the ability to form cystic structures and hide in
biofilms.29–34 These properties allow the organism to persist
in a variety of tissues and hostile environments and escape
the reach of antibiotics. The ability of B. burgdorferi to infect
privileged sites, such as the eye, synovium, and brain, may
also contribute to persistence of the spirochete in human tissues,
much like the agents of syphilis, tuberculosis, and HIV/
AIDS.1,2 Recent studies have shown that B. burgdorferi forms
persister cells that can survive treatment with conventional
contains enzymes that facilitate tissue penetration
and has the ability to form cystic structures and hide in
biofilms.29–34 These properties allow the organism to persist
in a variety of tissues and hostile environments and escape
the reach of antibiotics. The ability of B. burgdorferi to infect
privileged sites, such as the eye, synovium, and brain, may
also contribute to persistence of the spirochete in human tissues,
much like the agents of syphilis, tuberculosis, and HIV/
AIDS.1,2 Recent studies have shown that B. burgdorferi forms
persister cells that can survive treatment with conventional
