Lyme Disease Facts

Lyme Disease is known scientifically as Lyme borreliosis and is an inflammatory disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Hercogova, 2001) and other bacteria which are carried by ticks (Harris, 2008).

Lyme disease manifests itself as a multi symptom disorder in the skin, and other organs including the joints, nerves, heart, eyes, etc. (Hercogova, 2001).

Lyme borreliosis is the most common vector-borne disease in Europe and the USA (Hercogova, 2001). There are 5 subspecies of Borrelia burgdorferi, and in the US there are over 100 different strains, with over 300 strains worldwide (ILADS, 2009). Because of all of these different strains, creating one common antigen against Lyme Disease impractical (Hercogva, 2001). The different strains can also lead to different clinical manifestations of Lyme (Hercogva, 2001).

Borrelia burgdorferi is shaped like a corkscrew, so it moves easier through tissue than it does blood (Harris, 2008). This means that it can get into every organ and even into the cells, eventually passing the blood brain barrier, which is a protective screen of cells which only let selective material in and out of the brain (Harris, 2008). 

Less than 50% of people with Lyme disease remember being bitten by a tick, or develop a rash (ILADS, 2009).

The ELISA screening has been proven ineffective, missing 35% of proven Lyme disease cases (ILADS, 2009).

The best way to diagnose Lyme disease is clinically, using patient history and symptoms as a guide, and only relying on tests as a back up and confirmation (Harris, 2008).

Disclaimer: All information given is purely for education purposes.

References:

Harris, Steven Dr, Williams, Lynda Dr. Lyme Disease 101 Interview with Dr. Steven Harris and Dr. Lynda Williams.Radio interview KVMR 89.5 FM. 2008.

Hercogova, Jana MD, PhD. Lyme borreliosis. International Journal of Dermatology 2001, 40, 547-550. Blackwell Science Ltd. 2001.

ILADS. Basic Information About Lyme Disease. International Lyme and Associated Disease Society. www.ilads.org. 2009.