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Enfermedad de Lyme primaria - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Infección de Lyme temprana y localizada; Borreliosis de Lyme; Enfermedad de Lyme en etapa 1; Enfermedad de Lyme primaria

Definición:

La enfermedad de Lyme es una enfermedad infecciosa que se disemina a través de una picadura de garrapata.

La enfermedad de Lyme primaria corresponde a la primera etapa de la enfermedad. Para obtener información específica sobre las otras etapas o información general acerca de la enfermedad de Lyme, ver los artículos:

Causas:

La enfermedad de Lyme es causada por la bacteria Borrelia burgdoferi (B. burgdoferi ). Ciertas garrapatas son portadoras de estas bacterias y las adquieren cuando pican ratones o venados infectados con la enfermedad de Lyme. Usted puede contraer la enfermedad si lo pica una garrapata infectada.

Entre los factores de riesgo para la enfermedad de Lyme se pueden mencionar, entre otros:

  • Tener una mascota que pueda llevar las garrapatas a la casa
  • Tomar parte en actividades que incrementen la exposición a la garrapata
  • Caminar en pastizales altos

Las partes de los Estados Unidos donde la probabilidad de contraer la enfermedad de Lyme es más alta abarcan:

  • Nueva Inglaterra
  • Los estados del atlántico medio
  • Los estados centrales del norte

Nota: las garrapatas Ixodes scapularis pueden ser tan pequeñas que sea casi imposible verlas. Por lo tanto, incluso muchas personas con la enfermedad de Lyme nunca se dieron cuenta que tuvieron una garrapata. A diferencia de la picadura de un mosquito, una picadura de una garrapata puede no sentirse. En la mayoría de los casos, la garrapata tiene que permanecer en el cuerpo durante 48 horas para transmitirle las bacterias a los humanos.

  • Reviewed last on: 3/17/2009
  • Jantin 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.

Referencias

Bratton RL, Whiteside JW, Hovan MJ, Engle RL, Edwards FD. Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. Mayo Clin 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.

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.

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