What is Lyme Disease (Borrelia burgdorferi)?
Lyme disease is a vector-borne infection caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is most often transmitted by black-legged tick bites and in recent studies has also been found in mosquitos.
Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, is a corkscrew or helix-shaped organism called a spirochete. These spirochetes are known for being serious pathogens with Lyme disease’s cellular make-up being close to that of syphilis.
Borrelia burgdorferi can attack any organ in the body, including the central nervous system, the brain, the muscles, joints, the heart, and more.
Lyme disease was first discovered about 30 years ago in Lyme, Connecticut. Unfortunately, since then, Lyme disease has become the most undiagnosed and untreated epidemic in the world.
Many people often attribute Lyme disease to tick bites; however, recent studies have indicated that there are other ways people can get Lyme diseases such as mosquito bites, blood transfusions, and even gestationally (transmitted from mother to child).