LymeShield System

LymeShield System is an oral, rodent-targeted vaccine system developed by US Biologic in collaboration with the USDA Agricultural Research Service to prevent the transmission of Lyme disease. The system consists of a device that dispenses bait pellets spray-coated with a conditionally licensed vaccine, Borrelia Burgdorferi Bacterin. The vaccine utilizes inactive *Escherichia coli* to deliver the outer surface protein A (OspA) antigen of *Borrelia burgdorferi*. When white-footed mice (*Peromyscus leucopus*), the primary wildlife reservoir for Lyme disease, consume the pellets, they develop anti-OspA antibodies. When black-legged ticks feed on these vaccinated mice, the ingested antibodies neutralize the *B. burgdorferi* bacteria within the tick's midgut, blocking transmission to other hosts, including humans and pets.

Brand names

LymeShieldLymeShield System

Other names

Borrelia burgdorferi BacterinBorrelia burgdorferi oral vaccineLyme vaccine pellets