Lyme disease

Definition

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by tick bites, primarily caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. It can lead to symptoms ranging from fever and rash to severe neurological and cardiac issues if left untreated.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochete bacterium responsible for Lyme disease.
2. The characteristic 'bull's-eye' rash, known as erythema migrans, often appears at the site of the tick bite.
3. Lyme disease can be diagnosed through serological tests such as ELISA and confirmed with Western blotting.
4. If untreated, Lyme disease can progress to chronic symptoms affecting joints, heart, and nervous system.
5. Vectors for Lyme disease are primarily Ixodes ticks, commonly known as deer ticks or black-legged ticks.

Review Questions

• What type of bacterium causes Lyme disease?
• Describe the typical early symptom associated with a tick bite that leads to Lyme disease.
• What laboratory tests are used to diagnose Lyme disease?

Related terms

Erythema Migrans:

A distinctive 'bull's-eye' rash often seen at the site of a tick bite in Lyme disease.

Ixodes Ticks:

Common vectors for Borrelia burgdorferi, responsible for transmitting Lyme disease.

Western Blot:

A confirmatory test used to detect specific proteins in a sample after an initial positive ELISA test for Lyme disease.