Borrelia Burgdorferi -

Unlike almost all other life forms, this bacterium does not need iron to survive. Instead, it uses manganese, allowing it to bypass the body's natural defense of "starving" invaders of iron. 3. Symptoms to Watch For

Most humans are infected by nymphs —immature ticks about the size of a poppy seed, which are incredibly difficult to spot. 2. A "Smart" Bacterium

The bacterium lives in the midgut of certain ticks—primarily the (deer tick) in the Northeast and Midwest, and the western blacklegged tick on the Pacific Coast. borrelia burgdorferi

The Stealthy Invader: Understanding Borrelia burgdorferi Borrelia burgdorferi is the primary bacterium responsible for in North America . This spiral-shaped "spirochete" is a master of adaptation, designed to survive and thrive within both ticks and human hosts. 1. How It Spreads

Borrelia burgdorferi has evolved several survival tactics that make it a formidable opponent for the immune system: Unlike almost all other life forms, this bacterium

This spirochete causes a characteristic annular rash, arthritis, carditis, and in late stages, encephalopathy. National Institutes of Health (.gov) Why Is Lyme Disease So Hard to Treat?

When an infected tick latches on to feed, the bacteria migrate from its gut to its salivary glands and then into your bloodstream. Symptoms to Watch For Most humans are infected

Transmission usually requires the tick to be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more.