Treatment of Lyme Borreliosis

The increasing number of cases of Lyme disease has resulted in frequent questions about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. The following information and guidelines may be helpful.

Epidemiologic Considerations

Lyme disease is caused by infection with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The organism is carried by a small tick—usually nymphal Ixodes dammini on the east coast and Ixocdes pacificus in the west coast.