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Revue Scientifique Et Technique... Aug 2015Lyme disease is among the most frequently diagnosed zoonotic tick-borne diseases worldwide. The number of human cases has been on the increase since the first... (Review)
Review
Lyme disease is among the most frequently diagnosed zoonotic tick-borne diseases worldwide. The number of human cases has been on the increase since the first recognition of its aetiological agent. Lyme disease is caused by spirochete bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia, with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) found in the Americas, and B. afzelii and B. garinii, in addition to B. burgdorferi s.s., in Europe and Asia. Environmental factors, such as human encroachment onto habitats favourable to ticks and their hosts, reduced deforestation, increased human outdoor activities, and climatic factors favouring a wider distribution of tick vectors, have enhanced the impact of the disease on both humans and animals. Clinical manifestations in humans include, in the early phases, erythema migrans, followed several weeks later by neuro-borreliosis (meningo-radiculitis, meningitis or meningo-encephalitis), Lyme arthritis and/or Borrelia lymphocytoma. In dogs, acute signs include fever, general malaise, lameness, lymph node enlargement and polyarthritis, as well as neuro-borreliosis in the chronic form. Diagnosis is mainly serological in both humans and animals, based on either a two-tier approach (an immunoenzymatic test followed by a Western blot confirmatory test) in humans or C(6) peptide, only in dogs. Early treatment with antibiotics, such as doxycycline or amoxicillin, for three weeks usually reduces the risk of chronic disease. Tick control, including the use of tick repellents for both humans and animals, particularly dogs, is highly reliable in preventing transmission. Vaccines are not available to prevent human infection, whereas several vaccines are available to reduce transmission and the clinical manifestations of infection in dogs.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Global Health; Humans; Lyme Disease
PubMed: 26601457
DOI: 10.20506/rst.34.2.2380 -
Infectious Disease Clinics of North... Sep 2022Arthritis is the most common late manifestation of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in the United States, usually beginning months after the tick bite. In most patients... (Review)
Review
Arthritis is the most common late manifestation of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in the United States, usually beginning months after the tick bite. In most patients with Lyme arthritis (LA) today, arthritis is the presenting manifestation of the disease. Patients have swelling and pain in one or a few large joints, especially the knee. Serologic testing is the mainstay of diagnosis. Responses to antibiotic treatment are generally excellent, although a small percentage of patients have persistent, postinfectious synovitis after 2 to 3 months of oral and IV antibiotics, which respond to anti-inflammatory therapies. Herein we review the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of LA.
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Arthritis; Lyme Disease
PubMed: 36116835
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.03.006 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases Aug 2021Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is the most common tickborne disease in the United States and Europe. In both locations, Ixodes species ticks transmit the Borrelia... (Review)
Review
Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is the most common tickborne disease in the United States and Europe. In both locations, Ixodes species ticks transmit the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato bacteria species responsible for causing the infection. The diversity of Borrelia species that cause human infection is greater in Europe; the 2 B. burgdorferi s.l. species collectively responsible for most infections in Europe, B. afzelii and B. garinii, are not found in the United States, where most infections are caused by B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. Strain differences seem to explain some of the variation in the clinical manifestations of Lyme disease, which are both minor and substantive, between the United States and Europe. Future studies should attempt to delineate the specific virulence factors of the different species of B. burgdorferi s.l. responsible for these variations in clinical features.
Topics: Animals; Borrelia; Borrelia burgdorferi Group; Europe; Humans; Ixodes; Lyme Disease; United States
PubMed: 34286689
DOI: 10.3201/eid2708.204763 -
German Medical Science : GMS E-journal 2020Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in Europe. A neurological manifestation occurs in 3-15% of infections and can manifest as...
Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in Europe. A neurological manifestation occurs in 3-15% of infections and can manifest as polyradiculitis, meningitis and (rarely) encephalomyelitis. This S3 guideline is directed at physicians in private practices and clinics who treat Lyme neuroborreliosis in children and adults. Twenty AWMF member societies, the Robert Koch Institute, the German Borreliosis Society and three patient organisations participated in its development. A systematic review and assessment of the literature was conducted by the German Cochrane Centre, Freiburg (Cochrane Germany). The main objectives of this guideline are to define the disease and to give recommendations for the confirmation of a clinically suspected diagnosis by laboratory testing, antibiotic therapy, differential diagnostic testing and prevention.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Borrelia burgdorferi; Child; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Diagnosis, Differential; Disease Vectors; Erythema Chronicum Migrans; Germany; Humans; Lyme Neuroborreliosis; Patient Care Management; Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome; Preventive Health Services
PubMed: 32341686
DOI: 10.3205/000279 -
Revista de Investigacion Clinica;... 2018Lyme disease (LD) is a multisystemic inflammatory disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes, belonging to the genospecies complex Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato... (Review)
Review
Lyme disease (LD) is a multisystemic inflammatory disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes, belonging to the genospecies complex Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B.b.s.l.). Around the world, distinct species of Ixodes tick vectors transmit different species of Borrelia. Despite the rising recognition and occurrence of tick-borne disease in Latin America, serology has proven to be inconclusive in detecting suspected LD cases. Recently, new B.b.s.l. strains or new related species have been described in Brazil, Uruguay, and Chile. This could explain the lack of confirmatory tests, such as indeterminate Western blots (WBs) and polymerase chain reactions, in detecting suspected LD cases in this region of the world. Future studies will need to determine the extension of novel B.b.s.l. species infections in ticks, reservoirs, and humans in Latin America. The existence of these new Borrelia genomic species should prompt the development of innovative diagnostic and clinical approaches.
Topics: Blotting, Western; Borrelia; Borrelia Infections; Humans; Latin America; Lyme Disease; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Tick-Borne Diseases
PubMed: 30067716
DOI: 10.24875/RIC.18002509 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology 2021Relapsing fever (RF) is caused by several species of ; all, except two species, are transmitted to humans by soft (argasid) ticks. The species is transmitted from one... (Review)
Review
Relapsing fever (RF) is caused by several species of ; all, except two species, are transmitted to humans by soft (argasid) ticks. The species is transmitted from one human to another by the body louse, while is vectored by hard-bodied ixodid tick species. RF have several pathogenic features that facilitate invasion and dissemination in the infected host. In this article we discuss the dynamics of vector acquisition and subsequent transmission of RF to their vertebrate hosts. We also review taxonomic challenges for RF as new species have been isolated throughout the globe. Moreover, aspects of pathogenesis including symptomology, neurotropism, erythrocyte and platelet adhesion are discussed. We expound on RF evasion strategies for innate and adaptive immunity, focusing on the most fundamental pathogenetic attributes, multiphasic antigenic variation. Lastly, we review new and emerging species of RF and discuss future directions for this global disease.
Topics: Animals; Arthropod Vectors; Borrelia; Disease Management; Disease Susceptibility; Global Health; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Relapsing Fever; Ticks
PubMed: 33372163
DOI: 10.21775/cimb.042.519 -
Clinics in Laboratory Medicine Mar 2010Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. The clinical presentation varies depending on... (Review)
Review
Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. The clinical presentation varies depending on the stage of the illness: early disease includes erthyma migrans, early disseminated disease includes multiple erythema migrans, meningitis, cranial nerve palsies, and carditis; late disease is primarily arthritis. The symptoms and signs of infection resolve in most patients after treatment with appropriate antimicrobials for 2 to 4 weeks. Serologic testing should be used judiciously as it often results in misdiagnosis when performed on blood from patients with a low prior probability of disease and those with only nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue or arthralgia without objective signs of infection.
Topics: Animals; Borrelia burgdorferi; Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic Errors; Humans; Ixodes; Lyme Disease; Peromyscus; Prognosis
PubMed: 20513553
DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2010.01.003 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology 2021Genetic studies in require special consideration of the highly segmented genome, complex growth requirements and evolutionary distance of spirochetes from other... (Review)
Review
Genetic studies in require special consideration of the highly segmented genome, complex growth requirements and evolutionary distance of spirochetes from other genetically tractable bacteria. Despite these challenges, a robust molecular genetic toolbox has been constructed to investigate the biology and pathogenic potential of these important human pathogens. In this review we summarize the tools and techniques that are currently available for the genetic manipulation of , including the relapsing fever spirochetes, viewing them in the context of their utility and shortcomings. Our primary objective is to help researchers discern what is feasible and what is not practical when thinking about potential genetic experiments in . We have summarized published methods and highlighted their critical elements, but we are not providing detailed protocols. Although many advances have been made since was first transformed over 25 years ago, some standard genetic tools remain elusive for . We mention these limitations and why they persist, if known. We hope to encourage investigators to explore what might be possible, in addition to optimizing what currently can be achieved, through genetic manipulation of .
Topics: Animals; Borrelia; Borrelia Infections; Disease Susceptibility; Genetic Engineering; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Lyme Disease
PubMed: 33300496
DOI: 10.21775/cimb.042.307 -
PloS One 2022Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia miyamotoi are tick-vectored zoonotic pathogens maintained in wildlife species. Tick populations are establishing in new areas globally...
Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia miyamotoi are tick-vectored zoonotic pathogens maintained in wildlife species. Tick populations are establishing in new areas globally in response to climate change and other factors. New Brunswick is a Canadian maritime province at the advancing front of tick population establishment and has seen increasing numbers of ticks carrying B. burgdorferi, and more recently B. miyamotoi. Further, it is part of a region of Atlantic Canada with wildlife species composition differing from much of continental North America and little information exists as to the presence and frequency of infection of Borrelia spp. in wildlife in this region. We used a citizen science approach to collect a wide range of animals including migratory birds, medium-sized mammals, and small mammals. In total we tested 339 animals representing 20 species for the presence of B. burgdorferi and B. miyamotoi. We have developed new nested PCR primers and a protocol with excellent specificity for detecting both of these Borrelia species, both single and double infections, in tissues and organs of various wildlife species. The positive animals were primarily small non-migratory mammals, approximately twice as many were infected with B. burgdorferi than B. miyamotoi and one animal was found infected with both. In addition to established reservoir species, the jumping mouse (Napaeozapus insignis) was found frequently infected; this species had the highest infection prevalence for both B. burgdorferi and B. miyamotoi and has not previously been identified as an important carrier for either Borrelia species. Comprehensive testing of tissues found that all instances of B. burgdorferi infection were limited to one tissue within the host, whereas two of the five B. miyamotoi infections were diffuse and found in multiple systems. In the one coinfected specimen, two fetuses were also recovered and found infected with B. miyamotoi. This presumptive transplacental transmission suggests that vertical transmission in mammals is possible. This finding implies that B. miyamotoi could rapidly spread into wildlife populations, as well as having potential human health implications.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Wild; Birds; Borrelia; Borrelia burgdorferi; Canada; DNA, Bacterial; Disease Vectors; Fetus; Lyme Disease; Mice; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 35061805
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262229 -
Parasites & Vectors May 2022Relapsing fever borreliosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia, inflicting recurrent episodes of fever and spirochetemia in humans....
BACKGROUND
Relapsing fever borreliosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Borrelia, inflicting recurrent episodes of fever and spirochetemia in humans. Borrelia persica, the causative agent of relapsing fever in Israel, is prevalent over a broad geographic area that extends from India to Egypt. It is transmitted by the soft tick Ornithodoros tholozani and causes disease in humans as well as domestic cats and dogs. The goal of this study was to survey domestic dogs and cats in Israel for infection with B. persica.
METHODS
Blood, sera and demographic and clinical data were collected from dogs and cats brought for veterinary care in central Israel. PCR followed by DNA sequencing was used to detect B. persica DNA in blood samples, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect antibodies reactive with B. persica antigens in sera from the same animals. This is the first serological survey of B. persica in dogs and the first survey for antibodies reactive with a relapsing fever Borrelia sp. in cats globally.
RESULTS
Four of the 208 dogs (1.9%) and three of 103 cats (2.9%) sampled were positive by PCR for B. persica DNA, and 24 dogs (11.5%) and 18 cats (17.5%) were seropositive for B. persica antigen by ELISA. The ratio between PCR-positivity and seropositivity in both the dog and cat populations was 1:6. All four PCR-positive dogs and two of three PCR-positive cats were seronegative, suggesting a probable recent infection. Thrombocytopenia showed significant association with seropositivity in dogs (P = 0.003). In cats, anemia had a significant association with seropositivity (P = 0.0001), and thrombocytopenia was associated with the combined prevalence of seropositivity or PCR-positivity (P = 0.022).
CONCLUSIONS
Borrelia persica infection is more prevalent and widespread in domestic canine and feline populations in Israel than previously thought. Dogs and cats may play a role as reservoirs and sentinels for human infection. Precautions should be taken to prevent transfusion-transmitted infection between blood donor and recipient animals.
Topics: Animals; Borrelia; Borrelia Infections; Cat Diseases; Cats; DNA; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Israel; Ornithodoros; Relapsing Fever; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Thrombocytopenia
PubMed: 35534871
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05223-9