What is Lyme Disease?
Bacteria Infection spread through the blood caused by Bacterium genus and species-Borrelia burgdorferi
Outer surface protein C (OspC) of the Lyme disease spirochetes is an important virulence factor
Thought at first to be arthritis
First Case Reported1975, Old Lyme ConnecticutConnecticut conducted a laboratory-based
program of surveillance for Lyme disease from July 1, 1984, to March 1, 1986.
Indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to detect antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochete that causes the disease.
Transmission(Vector)transmitted to humans through the bite of
infected blacklegged ticks. (usually deer ticks)
Must be attached for 36-48 hrs before bacterium can be transmitted
Although no cases of Lyme disease have been linked to blood transfusion, scientists have found that the Lyme disease bacteria can live in blood that is stored for donation.
Symptoms The incubation period is 3-32 days, transmission
occurs in less than 24 hours.
Stage 1- “Bulls-eye” rush in about 75% of rash's, flu-like illness without cough.
Stage 2- Affects skin, musculoskeletal, nervous system, lymphadenopath, heart, facial palsy and meningitis.
Stage 3 - Chronic arthritis or encephalitis
StagesStage 1 also called Early Localized- which
means the disease has not spread yet.Stage 2 also called Early Disseminated-
Which means the disease has begun to spread.
Stage 3 also called Late Disseminated- Which means the disease has spread through the blood stream.
Symptoms in Stage 2 may not appear until months later, Stage 3 may not appear until years later.
Interesting factsLyme disease bacteria can live in blood that
is stored for donation.
There is no credible evidence that Lyme disease can be transmitted through air, food, water, or from the bites of mosquitoes, flies, fleas, or lice.
here are no reports of Lyme disease transmission from breast milk.
Prevalence The ratio of Lyme Disease infection is 7.9
cases for every 100,000 persons.It is becoming an endemic across the
northern areas of North America.Lyme disease has be reported in 49 states.
Who is at risk?Northeast and mid-Atlantic, from northeastern
Virginia to MaineNorth central states, mostly in Wisconsin and
MinnesotaWest Coast, particularly northern CaliforniaThis is primarily a warm weather disease. The
ticks normally feed from April to October; the nymphs are most active between May and August.
Also, more people are outdoors during the warm weather months. Adult ticks can remain active well into the winter if the winter is mild.
Risk FactorsWhat risk factors can lead to being affected?
Outside Activities (hiking, gardening, hunting)
Pets exposed to ticksWalking in high grass areas
TreatmentAntibiotics for 2-4 weeksIf found early the disease can be cured with
antibiotics Even after treatment, some patients still feel
pain from causes unknown.
Complications from untreated Lyme Disease include long term joint inflammation, Brain and Nervous system problems, memory disorders, and sleep and vision problems.
PreventionAvoid wooded and bushy areas with high grass
and leaf litter.Walk in the center of trails.Use repellents that contain 20% or more DEET (N,
N-diethyl-m-toluamideUse products that contain permethrin on clothing. Find and Remove Ticks from Your BodyA Lyme disease vaccine is no longer available. The
vaccine manufacturer discontinued production in 2002, citing insufficient consumer demand.
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 140
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
1.2
6.1
24.2
27.1
18.5
2.65
10.6
57.5
22.8
14.9
Incidence Values in US of Lyme Diease for 2009-2010
20092010
Incidence Report(1-=4 weeks)
NU
mber
of
Incid
ences
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002296/
http://www.cdc.gov/lyme/http://www.aldf.com/http://lymedisease.org/http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/http://
www.mosquitosquad.com/disease/LymeDisease.html
http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3136&q=388506
http://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/history-lyme-disease-vaccine