Lyme Disease: diagnosis and treatment

Lyme disease is a multisystem bacterial infection caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted by the bite of infected ticks of the genus Ixodes and Amblyomma. The disease is endemic in wooded, brushy areas, which are habitats for wild animals and ticks. It is the disease most commonly transmitted by ticks, but rarely reported in Brazil. Early local Lyme Disease often starts with erythema migrans at the site of the tick bite, followed by flu-like symptoms. In advanced stage the disease may cause symptoms in the joints, eyes, heart and nervous system. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, epidemiology and laboratory tests. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics according to the stage of the disease.