Lyme disease is the name given for the bacteria Borreliosis (bore-el-ee-oh-sis)It is a vector borne disease, usually transmitted through the bite of an infected tick but can be transmitted through other blood feasting parasites eg. mosquito,flea, etc.
Borreliosis is caused by a spirochaetal bacterium of the borella species. Borreliae are spiral shaped with a flexible wall and they are called pleomorphic, which means that they can change physical form, including to that of the cell-wall deficient form.This aids the bacteria to evade the immune system of their host.
Borreliae are related to Treponema spirochaetes (the causitive agent of syphillis) but they have far more capabilities. There are hundreds of strains and sub-types of Borrelia burgdoferi sensu stricto (Bb.ss) is the strain of bacterium which caused an outbreak of infection in Old Lyme, Connecticut, in the US. This is where Lyme disease acquired it's name. This particular strain of Borrelia produces predominantly rheumatologic complications. In the UK and the rest of Europe, other strains exist and come under the collective term of Borrelia burgdoferi sensu lato (Bb.sl).They include B garinii,..B afzelii,..and B valasiana. These strains result in predominately neurological complications.The differing strains may respond differently to antibiotics.
For more information and signs and symptoms etc ...please look at www.bada-uk.org