The Stealthy Invader: Understanding Borrelia burgdorferi Borrelia burgdorferi is the primary bacterium responsible for in North America . This spiral-shaped "spirochete" is a master of adaptation, designed to survive and thrive within both ticks and human hosts. 1. How It Spreads
When an infected tick latches on to feed, the bacteria migrate from its gut to its salivary glands and then into your bloodstream. borrelia burgdorferi
Unlike almost all other life forms, this bacterium does not need iron to survive. Instead, it uses manganese, allowing it to bypass the body's natural defense of "starving" invaders of iron. 3. Symptoms to Watch For How It Spreads When an infected tick latches
This spirochete causes a characteristic annular rash, arthritis, carditis, and in late stages, encephalopathy. National Institutes of Health (.gov) Why Is Lyme Disease So Hard to Treat? and in late stages
It can change its outer surface proteins to "camouflage" itself, staying one step ahead of your body's antibodies.
Borrelia burgdorferi has evolved several survival tactics that make it a formidable opponent for the immune system:
Transmission usually requires the tick to be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more.
