Lyme borreliosis is caused by spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species complex, transmitted to humans by ticks, particularly hard-backed Ixodes species [1][2][3]. It is a multisystem bacterial infection that can affect the skin, nervous system, joints, and heart [1][2].
Disease overview
Bacterial Evidence-backed information EN 5/7 applicable sections · ZH 5/7 applicable sections Updated Oct 23, 2026
Lyme disease is a tick-borne bacterial infection caused by spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex and is the most common vector-borne illness in North America, Europe, and the United States [1][2][3][4]. Its incidence is rising in many countries, and the geographic range of its tick vectors continues to expand [1][2][4][5]. The illness presents with diverse clinical features but rarely causes death [3].
Read the full clinical and epidemiological profile 6
The most common manifestation is erythema migrans, a rash that may appear as homogeneous erythema or bull's-eye patterns and can be single or multiple [1][4]. Without or after spread, more severe involvement of the skin, nervous system, joints, or heart may occur, with carditis, keratitis, uveitis, and inflammatory arthritis being rare in European cases [1][2]. Clinical presentations are diverse, but fatal outcomes are uncommon [3].
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in North America and Europe and the most common such disease in the United States [3]. Reported case numbers are increasing across many countries, with widening distribution in the UK and a concentration in wooded temperate areas; mid-to-late summer is the typical presentation period [1][2]. In the northeastern United States, exposure occurs mainly in peridomestic settings [3].
The infection is transmitted to humans by certain species of Ixodes ticks that harbor Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and are widespread in Northern Hemisphere temperate regions [1][2][3]. Human risk is shaped by vector tick abundance and distribution, ecological factors affecting tick infection, and behaviors that lead to tick bites [3]. No human vaccine is currently available [1].
Primary prevention relies on protecting individuals from tick bites, as no human vaccine exists [1].
- 1 Stanek G et al. Lyme borreliosis. Lancet. 2012 Feb 4. PMID: 21903253. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60103-7. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21903253/
- 2 Ross Russell AL et al. Lyme disease: diagnosis and management. Pract Neurol. 2018 Dec. PMID: 30282764. doi: 10.1136/practneurol-2018-001998. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30282764/
- 3 Mead P et al. Epidemiology of Lyme Disease. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2022 Sep. PMID: 36116831. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.03.004. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36116831/
- 4 Smith RP et al. Lyme Disease. Ann Intern Med. 2025 May. PMID: 40354663. doi: 10.7326/ANNALS-25-01111. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40354663/
- 5 Carriveau A et al. Lyme Disease. Nurs Clin North Am. 2019 Jun. PMID: 31027665. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2019.02.003. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31027665/
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