Genospecies

When their respective genotypes permit inter-bacterial genetic transfer and recombination, we may say that they belong to the same genospecies.

The genospecies complex of B. burgdorferi sensu lato has been divided into more than 4 distinct genospecies: B.burgdorferi sensu stricto (most North American isolates), Borrella garinii, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia japonica, and other additional strains which do not fit into any of the specified genospecies.

The last two genospecies are etiologic agents of almost all LB cases in Russia, which encompasses the greater part of the range of B.