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Updated: May 13, 2026
08:23
Feeding of Ticks on Animals for Transmission and Xenodiagnosis in Lyme Disease Research
Published on: August 31, 2013
Louse and tick borne relapsing fevers
Mamdouh M El-Bahnsawy1, Nargis Albert Labib, Magda Abdel-Hameed Abdel-Fattah
1The Military Institute of Health and Epidemiology, Military Medical Academy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 115664, Egypt.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology
|March 9, 2013
Summary
Relapsing fever, caused by Borrelia bacteria, remains a threat due to increased travel and poverty. Emerging Borrelia species may pose unpredictable zoonotic risks.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Infectious Diseases
- Zoonotic Diseases
Background:
- Relapsing fever is a zoonotic disease caused by Borrelia spirochaetes.
- Historically, louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) caused worldwide epidemics.
- Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is another form of the disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical context and current status of relapsing fever.
- To highlight the factors contributing to its endemicity and potential resurgence.
- To underscore the emerging threat of related Borrelia species.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of historical and current data on relapsing fever.
- Analysis of factors influencing disease incidence and prevalence.
- Discussion of the impact of emerging Borrelia species.
Main Results:
- DDT use significantly reduced LBRF and TBRF incidence, but the diseases persist.
- Factors like rapid transportation, poverty, and vector abundance contribute to endemicity.
- New Borrelia species are emerging, posing underestimated zoonotic risks.
Conclusions:
- Relapsing fever remains a public health concern in endemic regions.
- Increased global connectivity and socioeconomic factors facilitate disease transmission.
- The emergence of novel Borrelia species necessitates ongoing surveillance and research.
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