What is the name of the disease transmitted by ticks? - briefly
The primary tick‑borne illness in many regions is «Lyme disease», caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. It presents with rash, fever, headache and may involve joints or the nervous system if untreated.
What is the name of the disease transmitted by ticks? - in detail
Lyme disease is the most frequently identified illness transmitted by ticks. The causative agent is the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete that colonizes the midgut of Ixodes species. Infection typically follows a bite from an infected nymph or adult tick that has been attached for at least 24 hours.
Early manifestations appear within three to thirty days and include a characteristic expanding erythema migrans lesion, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and arthralgia. If untreated, the infection may progress to disseminated stages, producing multiple skin lesions, cardiac involvement such as atrioventricular block, neurological signs including meningitis, facial palsy, and peripheral neuropathy, as well as migratory arthritis affecting large joints.
Diagnosis relies on a two‑tier serologic algorithm. The first tier employs an enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect IgM and IgG antibodies against B. burgdorferi. Positive or equivocal ELISA results are confirmed by a Western blot, which identifies specific protein bands consistent with infection. In early disease before seroconversion, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of skin biopsy or synovial fluid may be informative.
Recommended treatment for early localized disease consists of doxycycline 100 mg orally twice daily for ten days; alternatives include amoxicillin or cefuroxime axetil for patients unable to tolerate tetracyclines. For neurologic or cardiac involvement, intravenous ceftriaxone administered for 14–28 days is advised. Persistent symptoms after appropriate therapy are addressed with supportive care and multidisciplinary evaluation.
Prevention focuses on reducing tick exposure and prompt removal of attached ticks. Effective measures include:
- Wearing long sleeves and trousers in endemic habitats.
- Applying EPA‑registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on skin and clothing.
- Performing thorough body checks after outdoor activities and removing ticks with fine‑tipped tweezers, grasping the mouthparts close to the skin and pulling steadily upward.
- Treating clothing and gear with permethrin.
Other notable tick‑borne diseases encompass Rocky Mountain spotted fever (Rickettsia rickettsii), ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia chaffeensis), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), babesiosis (Babesia microti), and tick‑borne encephalitis virus. Each disease possesses distinct geographic distribution, vector species, clinical presentation, and therapeutic protocols, underscoring the importance of accurate identification and targeted management.