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Lyme disease - early disseminated - Overview

Alternative Names

Lyme disease - secondary or stage 2; Stage 2 Lyme disease, Bannwarth syndrome

Definition of Lyme disease - early disseminated :

Early disseminated or secondary Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected tick. Secondary Lyme disease develops within days to months after the tick bite. The infection spreads through the lymph system or bloodstream.

Reviewed last on: 3/17/2009
Jatin M. Vyas, PHD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Wormser GP, Dattwyler RJ, Shapiro ED, Halperin JJ, Steere AC, Klempner MS, et al. The clinical assessment, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and babesiosis: clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2006;43:1089-1134.

Bratton RL, Whiteside JW, Hovan MJ, Engle RL, Edwards FD. Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. Mayo Clinic Proc. 2008;83:566-571.

Clark RP, Hu LT. Prevention of Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2008;22:381-396.

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