Borrelia Burgdorferi
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Introduction
Borrelia burgdorferi is a tickborne spirochete bacteria causing Lyme disease. Borrelia infections begin in the skin, similar to syphilis, another spirochete, and also similarly the can progress to multisystem involvement, affecting the skin, nervous system, joints, heart, and eyes.
The Case of...
Epidemiology
Classification and Characteristics
Transmission and Infection
Clinical Manifesations
Diagnosis
ELISA testing can be done to assess for the presence of anti-Borrelia antibiodies. Seroconversion usually takes several weeks. However, identification can be difficult, with many false positives and negatives.
Immunoblotting can be done to test for antibodies against specific proteins if a positive ELISA test occurs.
Culture of Borrelia is very difficult, and is only possible if samples are taken from the erythema migrans lesion ad even then requiring specialized culture and long incubation.
Treatment
Borrelia is only moderately sensitive to penicillin, and doxycycline is the most commonly prescribed antibiotic. CNS involvement prompts use of intravenous, third-generation cephalosporins.
Resources and References
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