Lyme Disease

Question 1

What are the causative organisms for Lyme Disease?

Answer 1

Borrelia burgdorferi and closely related species?

Question 2

What is Borrelia burgdorferi?

Answer 2

Bacterial, gram-negative

Question 3

What are the most common modes of transmission for Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi and closely related species)?

Answer 3

Biological vector (tick)

Question 4

What are the virulence factors for Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi and closely related species)?

Answer 4

Antigenic shifting, adhesins

Question 5

How do you culture/diagnose Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi and closely related species)?

Answer 5

Acute and convalescent sera testing

Question 6

How do you prevent Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdoferi and closely related species)?

Answer 6

Tick avoidance

Question 7

How do you treat Lyme Diseae (Borrelia burgdoferri and closely related species)?

Answer 7

Doxycycline and/or amoxicillin (3-4 weeks), also cephalosporins and penicillin

Question 8

What are the epidemiological features of Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi and closely related species)?

Answer 8

In United States, 25,000-30,000 cases/yr; endemic in North America, Europe, and Asia