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Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks.
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Borrelia are thin, approximately 20 μm long, vividly motile bacteria that belong to the spirochete family.
In particular, those of the Borrelia burgdorferi complex (B. burgdorferi, B. garinii, B. afzelii and B. spielmannii) are important as pathogens of this infection. The most common form worldwide is Lyme borreliosis (named after the American town of Lyme), which is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi using ticks as disease carriers.
Borrelia burgdorferi is a sensitive, aerobic (growing best at oxygen concentrations lower than air) microorganism. It is actively motile, Gram-negative (appearing red in histopathological Gram stain), and has a helical shape. This bacterium can alter lipoproteins on its cell surface from generation to generation. Thus, the pathogens can be poorly recognized by specific antibodies of our immune system (immune evasion) and persist in the body for a long time.
Most infections remain undetected and do not lead to any symptoms. On the other hand, the course of a multisystemic Lyme borreliosis can extend from an initially rather local event (skin reaction at the injection site, usually centrifugally spreading redness) to a systemic effect (affecting a large part of the organism).
In the initial stage (early localized stage 1), blistering or necrosis may also rarely occur. The skin is often slightly warm at the affected site, but rarely painful.
If this symptomatology extends to other parts of the body (early disseminated stage 2), it is called erythema migrans. This can persist chronically, usually on the thighs, groin and armpits, for months (erythema chronicum migrans). Within days to weeks after the onset of erythema migrans, it may spread to various organs via the bloodstream. Accompanying symptoms may include headache, neck stiffness, and fever, as well as malaise and fatigue. Many other manifestations, associated with pain in various parts of the body, are also observed. More rarely, complications such as spleen enlargement, hepatitis, eye inflammation and others occur.
In case of further progression (later disseminated stage 3), affected persons may also develop chronic Lyme arthritis (joint inflammation, especially in the knees). Months or years after a manifestation, so-called neuroborreliosis can rarely also develop, usually as a creeping brain disease with serious consequences such as paresis (partial loss of motor functions), speech or coordination disorders or psychological problems.
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Cause of Lyme disease
The risk of contraction to humans depends on the frequency of occurrence of infected ticks, their feeding habits, and their animal hosts.
Serological studies suggest that human transmission can occur through intimate contact. Thus, Lyme disease is likely a sexually transmitted disease. Thus, partner control is very important for Lyme disease patients.
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INUSpheresis® and Lyme disease
In principle, every disease manifestation of Lyme disease can be treated with appropriate antibiotics. However, since it is suspected that disturbed autoimmune processes are involved, INUSpheresis® can wash out the resulting malformed autoimmune antibodies together with inflammatory mediators in the context of manifest diseases.
Thus, it positively affects the overall therapeutic efficacy and can contribute to the improvement of the general condition.
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