Lyme disease vaccine.

Scott A Halperin

doi:10.1155/2000/647251

Abstract

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infection in the United States, with more than 12,000 cases reported annually (1). The disease is characterized by a rash (erythema migrans) and various systemic (nervous, cardiac and musculoskeletal) manifestations; clinical manifestations of Lyme disease were reviewed recently (2). Most cases of Lyme disease in the United Sates are reported from the northeastern, mid-Atlantic and upper north central states, and from a part of northwest California. Lyme disease is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, and it is transmitted by the deer tick Ixodes scapularis in the eastern and mid-western states, and Ixodes pacificus in the Pacific coast states. Transmission occurs primarily through bites acquired during the nymphal stage of the life cycle of the ticks, which feed predominantly in the late spring and early summer. Two vaccines that protect against Lyme disease have been developed; one has been licensed for use in Canada recently. Answers to common questions about the Lyme disease vaccine follow.

Highlights

Two vaccines that protect against Lyme disease have been developed; one has been licensed for use in Canada recently
In the year after two doses of vaccine were given, symptomatic, laboratory-confirmed Lyme disease occurred in 22 LYMErix recipients and 43 placebo recipients
After the third dose was administered at 12 months, Lyme disease was diagnosed in 16 vaccine recipients and 66 placebo recipients giving a vaccine efficacy of 76%

Summary

Scott A Halperin MD

Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infection in the United States, with more than 12,000 cases reported annually [1]. Most cases of Lyme disease in the United Sates are reported from the northeastern, mid-Atlantic and upper north central states, and from a part of northwest California. Two vaccines that protect against Lyme disease have been developed; one has been licensed for use in Canada recently. Answers to common questions about the Lyme disease vaccine follow. Lyme disease is not common in Canada. In Canada, Lyme disease can be acquired in areas where the tick vector is well established. More than half of the cases of Lyme disease from these areas, and virtually all of the cases from nonendemic areas, can be linked epidemiologically to travel to a highly endemic area of the United States

WHERE ARE THE TICKS THAT TRANSMIT LYME DISEASE LOCATED IN CANADA?

Findings

WHO SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN LYME DISEASE VACCINE?