Borrelia

Borrelia is a genus of bacteria that belongs to the family of spirochetes, and is mainly responsible for causing the infectious disease commonly known as Lyme Disease. Borrelia can be transmitted to humans and animals through the bite of an infected tick. Other species of Borrelia may cause diseases such as relapsing fever and skin conditions like erythema migrans. Diagnosis of a Borrelia infection is based on clinical symptoms and laboratory tests such as ELISA, Western blot and PCR. Treatment includes administration of antibiotics, either orally or intravenously, depending on the severity of the infection. Early diagnosis and effective treatment of a Borrelia infection can help to reduce the risk of complications.