Borrelia burgdorferi
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Borrelia burgdorferi is a species of Borrelia bacteria. Borrelia species are longer, wider, helical spirochaetes.
The Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex is the cause of Lyme disease. The complex comprises three major species:
- Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the most common cause of canine Lyme disease in the USA.
- Borrelia garinii which, with B. afzelii, is the most common cause of Lyme disease in Europe.
- Borrelia afzelii
The Borreliae bacteria multiply in the blood stream of susceptible hosts and disseminate throughout the body. They can localise in joints, brain, nerves, eyes and heart.
The bacteria are reported to infect humans, dogs, horses, cattle, sheep.
Ticks are the vector for Lyme disease, in particular, Ixodes spp..