What is lyme syndrome?
Lyme Syndrome: A Complex Multisystem Infection Introduction Lyme syndrome , more accurately known as Lyme disease , is a tick-borne illness caused primarily by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi in North America and Borrelia afzelii or Borrelia garinii in Europe and Asia. It is transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (commonly known as deer ticks). First recognized in Lyme, Connecticut , in the 1970s, the disease has since become the most common vector-borne infection in many parts of the world. Lyme syndrome can affect the skin, joints, nervous system, and heart if not diagnosed and treated in its early stages. Cause and Transmission Lyme syndrome is caused by spirochete bacteria of the Borrelia genus. Humans usually acquire the infection through the bite of an infected tick, particularly the Ixodes species. The tick must typically be attached for 36 to 48 hours before the bacteria can be transmitted. Therefore, early removal of ticks is critical for prev...