Lyme Disease Russell W Steele, MD

https://reference.medscape.com/p11/lyme-disease-2026a1000im7?ecd=wnl_critimg_260626_mscpref_etid8450052&uac=148436CN&impID=8450052 Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) remains the most common vector-borne infection in the northern hemisphere. Approximately 30,000 cases are reported in the United States each year; however, a 2021 study estimated the prevalence to be closer to 476,000 cases annually based on insurance claims data from 2010-2018.[1,2,3] It is usually caused by the spirochetal organism Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which is transmitted to humans and animals by Ixodes ticks. The nymphs of these vectors are relatively small (1-2 mm, approximately the size of a poppy seed) and can be difficult to spot, often easily mistaken for dirt or environmental particles. Adult ticks are larger and more visible, and thus, more likely to be identified and removed rapidly. Pathogen transmission typically requires prolonged tick attachment (> 24-36 hours), a very important factor for prevention.