Borrelia Burgdorferi Research Paper

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Characteristics wise, Borrelia burgdorferi has a quite unique structure and set of adaptations that allows the bacterium to thrive on its host. Borrelia burgdorferi is known as a Gram negative spirochete, meaning the bacterium consists of a double membrane and is helically shaped (1). One of the membranes is an inner membrane and the other membrane is the outer membrane, also consisting of a protoplasm that is generally cylindrical and long. The most unique feature of the Borrelia burgdorferi is its ability to travel easily through its host’s fluids and tissues by using their highly adaptive flagella (2). The flagella in most spirochetes is found in the periplasm between the diderm membranes. It has a similar metabolic genome to most parasites, …show more content…
Any mammal or human has to be bit by a blacklegged tick in order to get infected and sick with Lyme disease. Lyme disease in the northeast and Midwest United States is mainly carried in two major types of tick species, Ixodes scapularis and Ixodes Dammini (34). In the northwestern United States the main tick species that carries the causative agent of Lyme disease is Ixodes Pacificus. This disease is the most common vector borne disease in the U.S., with particular cases outnumbering those of the West Nile virus. The reason why this disease is so prevalent is due to the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi being so agile and adaptive. It travels through the blood stream or via connective tissues, taking on several forms such as cysts or pods on the way which allows this bacterium to steer clear away from antibiotics, blood tests, and even escapes the body’s immune responses. It is a very tricky disease to diagnose and prevent, but once treatment is received the disease is almost always curable. The mechanism of transmission is poorly understood, but it is believed that the initial step in colonizing host tissues involves the expression of adhesive molecules that facilitate bacterial adherence to host cells or to the extracellular matrix due to their specific categories of membrane proteins. A long with having adhesion mechanisms, this bacterium has several transmission mechanisms that further allows it to escape the body’s immune responses. Many of the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease first start with any observations pertaining to weird rashes, lesions, discoloration, or bumps of the skin or of the bite site. This disease’s signs and symptoms can affect your nervous system, visuals, hearing, muscular system, and your immune system. Typical signs and symptoms pertaining to the first few weeks include heavy fatigue,

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