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Updated: Mar 28, 2026
07:20
Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR
Published on: February 4, 2018
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Lyme borreliosis
Franc Strle1, Klemen Strle2, Adriana Marques3
1Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. franc.strle@kclj.si.
Nature Reviews. Disease Primers
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Lyme borreliosis, a common tick-borne illness, presents with skin lesions and can affect multiple organ systems. Early antibiotic treatment is effective for most patients, though some may experience prolonged symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Dermatology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Lyme borreliosis is the most prevalent tick-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere.
- Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, it's transmitted by Ixodes ticks.
- North American and European Lyme borreliosis exhibit distinct characteristics due to differing Borrelia species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of Lyme borreliosis.
- To describe its clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.
- To highlight geographical differences in the disease.
Main Methods:
- Clinical observation and diagnosis.
- Serological testing for non-erythema migrans manifestations.
- Review of established treatment protocols.
Main Results:
- Erythema migrans is the initial skin lesion, appearing 7-14 days post-bite.
- Untreated cases can progress to involve skin, nervous system, heart, and joints.
- Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation for erythema migrans and serology for other stages.
- Antibiotic therapy resolves symptoms in most cases, with prolonged symptoms usually improving spontaneously.
Conclusions:
- Lyme borreliosis requires timely diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment.
- While most patients recover, awareness of potential long-term symptoms is important.
- Geographical variations necessitate tailored diagnostic and treatment approaches.
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