Comparison of Lyme Disease in the United States and Europe

doi:10.3201/eid2708.204763

Paper

Comparison of Lyme Disease in the United States and Europe

Published Aug 1, 2021 · A. Marques, F. Strle, G. Wormser

Emerging Infectious Diseases

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Abstract

Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is the most common tickborne disease in the United States and Europe. In both locations, Ixodes species ticks transmit the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato bacteria species responsible for causing the infection. The diversity of Borrelia species that cause human infection is greater in Europe; the 2 B. burgdorferi s.l. species collectively responsible for most infections in Europe, B. afzelii and B. garinii, are not found in the United States, where most infections are caused by B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. Strain differences seem to explain some of the variation in the clinical manifestations of Lyme disease, which are both minor and substantive, between the United States and Europe. Future studies should attempt to delineate the specific virulence factors of the different species of B. burgdorferi s.l. responsible for these variations in clinical features.

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Study Snapshot

The diversity of Borrelia species causing Lyme disease is greater in Europe, explaining some of the variation in clinical manifestations between the US and Europe.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Comparison of Lyme Disease in the United States and Europe

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