Lyme disease: an important vector-borne bacterial zoonotic disease with emerging concern

Abstract

Vector-borne diseases are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in humans and animals worldwide. Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is an important emerging vector-borne anthropozoonosis caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. It belongs to the genus Borrelia, phylum Spirochetae. B. burgdorferi is a gram-negative, flagellated spirochete having loosely coiled spiral morphology. Lyme disease is distributed in many parts of Asia, Europe, and the United States. It is the most common arthropod-borne disease in the United States. Due to its dramatically increased prevalence, the disease has become a significant public health problem in many parts of the United States. Hunters, hikers, campers, and travelers involved in outdoor activities in forested areas are at risk of getting the infection. Lyme disease is characterized by a fever that may continue for five days. It is transmitted by the bite of the Ixodid tick (also known as the black-legged tick), commonly found on deer, rodents, and other small mammals. If diagnosed early, the disease can be managed with antibiotics and supportive treatment. Severe complications may occur in immune-compromised, viral-infected, and malnourished individuals. Due to poor diagnosis and the unavailability of vaccines, prevention from tick bites becomes the key strategy to fight the disease.