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Lyme disease: the cause, diagnosis, and treatment
1Transfusion Service, St. John's Hospital, Springfield, Illinois, USA.
Objective:
To present a brief history of Lyme disease, identify its vectors, examine its pathogenesis, and discuss current methods of testing for and treating the disease.
Data Sources:
Current literature.
Study Selection:
Determined by the author.
Data Extraction:
Determined by the author.
Data Synthesis:
Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-transmitted disease in the United States. The Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete has been identified as the infectious agent of the disease. Although symptoms vary, stage 1 Lyme disease is most often characterized by erythema chronicum migrans, stage 2 by Bell's palsy, and stage 3 by chronic shoulder, knee, and wrist pain. Diagnostic tests currently in use, which include indirect immunofluorescent assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, often show false-positive results. Antibiotic treatment is recommended.
Conclusion:
Further study is needed to develop an accurate test for Lyme disease.