<\/span><\/h2>\nLyme disease is a infection<\/span> caused by Borrelia, a type of bacteria<\/span> called a spirochete. Lyme disease can affect any part of the body, most commonly the skin, central nervous system, joints, heart, and rarely the eyes and liver.<\/p>\nLyme disease is common in parts of the United States (particularly Massachusetts) and Europe, but it is reported in many areas of the world. In New Zealand and Australia, cases have only been confirmed in people who have recently traveled from a endemic<\/span> zone.<\/p>\nLyme disease is also called Lyme borreliosis.<\/p>\n\n<\/span>Chronic migratory erythema<\/span><\/h5>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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Ixodes tick<\/p>\n
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Chronic migratory erythema<\/p>\n
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Chronic migratory erythema<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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See more images of erythema<\/span> migrans.<\/p>\n<\/span>What are the subtypes of Lyme disease?<\/span><\/h2>\nThere are different types of Borrelia on each continent that result in various forms of Lyme disease in North America and Europe.<\/p>\n
In North America, the infection is due to the subspecies. B. burgdorferi sensu stricto<\/em> and more often it is presented as:<\/p>\n\n- Migratory erythema (also called chronic migratory erythema)<\/li>\n
- Lyme arthritis<\/span>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
In Europe, Lyme disease is due to the subspecies B. burgdorferi sensu stricto<\/em>, B. afzelii<\/em> and B. garinii<\/em>, and more frequently it appears as:<\/p>\n\n- Migratory erythema<\/li>\n
- Borrelial lymphocytoma<\/li>\n
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Chronic atrophic acrodermatitis (this is due to B. afzelii<\/em>)<\/li>\n- Lyme neuroborreliosis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/span>How is borrelia infection spread?<\/span><\/h2>\nHumans and animals become infected with the bacteria through hard tick bites. Borrelia survive in the midgut of ticks. Immature nymphs are more likely to transmit the infection. Ticks feed on infected animals and then humans.<\/p>\n
Ticks occur in tall grasses, thickets, forests, and lush forests. The main Hosts<\/span> Ticks and borrelia are small to medium-sized animals in Europe and deer in North America.<\/p>\n\n- In North America, the tick vectors<\/span> They are Ixodes scapularis<\/em>, I. pacificus<\/em>and 4 other tick species<\/li>\n
- In Europe and Asia, tick vectors are I. ricinus<\/em>, I. hexagonus<\/em>and I. persulcatus<\/em>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span>Who gets Lyme disease?<\/span><\/h2>\nLyme disease can affect children and adults. The infection occurs more frequently in forest workers and those who have been enjoying recreational activities in areas where ticks reside.<\/p>\n
<\/span>What happens after a tick bite?<\/span><\/h2>\nTicks can attach to and feed on any part of the human body. The bite is painless. Because they are so small (only 2mm in size), nymph bites are often overlooked. Borrelia is transmitted from the midgut of the infected tick to the attached skin when the insertion lasts 36 to 48 hours.<\/p>\n
Several things can happen after being bitten by an infected tick.<\/p>\n
\n- The body's defense mechanisms can overwhelm and kill infecting bacteria.<\/li>\n
- The bacteria can remain located<\/span> at the site of the bite and cause a localized skin infection.<\/li>\n
- The bacteria can spread through the blood and lymphatic<\/span> system to other organs and cause a multisystem inflammatory<\/span> disease.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/span>What are the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease?<\/span><\/h2>\nThe disease can be divided into three stages depending on the extent of the infection.<\/p>\n
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\nLyme disease localized
3\u201333 days after a tick bite<\/td>\n | \n\n- Migratory erythema<\/li>\n
- 'Flu-like illness with low grade fever<\/span>, chills, fatigue and joint pain<\/li>\n
- Boreal lymphocytoma - red to blue patch<\/span> in the earlobe, nipple, or scrotum (common in childrem)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nEarly disseminated<\/span> Lyme's desease
Days to weeks after a tick bite<\/td>\n | \n\n- Multiple migratory erythema, smaller than the initial patch<\/li>\n
- Early neuroborreliosis\n
\n- Bell or facial paralysis - unilateral paralysis<\/span> facial muscles (common in children)<\/li>\n
- Aseptic meningitis<\/span> - fever, severe headaches and stiff neck<\/li>\n
- Polyradiculitis: numbness and pain in the arms or legs.<\/li>\n
- Other mild cranial nerve palsy encephalitis<\/span>, peripheral<\/span> neuritis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Arthritis: large painful and inflamed joints (the knee is the most affected joint)<\/li>\n
- Carditis: abnormal heart rate<\/li>\n
- Rare: uveitis<\/span>, hepatitis<\/span>\n<\/li>\n
- Progression is gradual over months or years.<\/li>\n
- Progression is gradual over months or years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\nLate lyme disease
Months to years after infection.<\/td>\n | \n | | |