Borrelia Burgdorferi: Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted through the bite of ticks infected with bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi (Pearson, 2015). “Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system” (CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015).

Borrelia burgdorferi: is a parasite bacteria that requires a host due to its limited metabolic capacity. As this bacteria is limited in its ability to breakdown or synthesize amino acids, fatty acids, lipids or enzyme co-factors it must be cultured in a complex growth medium. Borrelia Burgdorferi is a slow grower which can make it difficult to test

for. Many skin biopsies can take up to 25-56 days to grow cultures. What requires the bacteria to cause disease is more to do with the bacterial products that allow the Borrelia Burgdorferi to replicate and survive as it is not a particularly virulent bacteria (Tilly, Rosa, & Stewart, 2008).
Tick Bites: Ticks are a small blood-sucking arachnid that become infected when they feed on blood of infected animals. Ticks anatomy have mouth parts that allow the tick to attach securely for feeding. Ticks like humidity and are largely found in woodland areas. They are more active in the late spring through early autumn. The most common Tick in the United States is the Ixodes Scapularis (Pearson, 2015).
Early localized Lyme disease: The common sign of Lyme’s disease is a rash called erythema migrans which is round and has a “Bulls eye” appearance. This rash takes 3-30 days to appear after a bite, there may or may not be puncture wounds present. The rash usually is not itchy or painful (but can be mildly) (National Health Service, 2013).
Early disseminated Lyme disease: Typical symptoms that may come with the erythema migrans include flu-like symptoms, headaches, myalgia, arthralgia, fatigue. Multiple rashes may be a sign of the Lyme disease spreading (CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015).
Late Disseminated Stage: About 60% of individuals who have Lyme’s disease may have bouts of arthritis particularly in large joints like the knees. Up to 5% of untreated individuals may develop chronic neurological complaints moths to years after infection. These symptoms include shooting pains, numbness or tingling in the hands and or feet and even problems with short term memory.
Lingering Symptoms after treatment: 10-20% of individuals with Lyme disease may have symptoms that last months to years after treatment with antibiotics. The cause for these symptoms (muscle and joint pain, memory loss, fatigue and sleep disturbances) is unknown as current research indicates that these symptoms are not due to ongoing infection with the B. burgdorferi. Conversely, there is some evidence that Post treatment Lyme disease syndrome is caused by an autoimmune response, in which a person’s immune system continues to attach, doing damage to its own body’s tissues even after the infection has been cleared. It has also been found that continuing antibiotic therapy is not helpful and can be harmful to those who have Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015).