Borrelia

burgdorferi Borrelia burgdorferi is a microscopic, spiral-shaped bacterium belonging to the family Borreliaceae that causes Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne illness in the United States. Although it is most commonly transmitted by deer ticks, it can also be transmitted by other species of ticks and some other types of arthropods. Symptoms of Lyme disease include a characteristic skin rash, fever, chills, headaches, and joint aches. Left untreated, Lyme disease can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system, leading to long-term complications. Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease requires careful examination for a positive diagnosis and symptoms of tick-bite and/or affected area of the body. Treatment usually involves antibiotics and can be effective in most cases if caught early. Research into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme disease is ongoing and is key to fighting the increasing prevalence of this debilitating disease.