Ticks, Borrelia Burgdorferi and Lyme Disease

Lyme disease, which is caused by spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is a tick-transmitted, multisystem infectious disease. It occurs in stages, with different clinical manifestations at each stage. Erythema migrans is the most frequent manifestation which occurs at the site of the tick bite. Borrelial lymphocytoma and acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans are late-stage cutaneous manifestations. Extracutaneous signs of infection most often involve the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. Serologic assays remain the mainstay of diagnosis. All stages of the disease are curable with appropriate antibiotic therapy