Lyme disease.
OBJECTIVE
To review the presentation, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease in primary care.


METHODS
Selected articles from the scientific literature and the Centers for Disease Control.


CONCLUSIONS
Lyme disease is a tick-borne, multisystem inflammatory disease with worldwide distribution caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is initially characterized by a spreading, annular erythema migrans skin rash and can disseminate to the musculoskeletal, neurologic, or cardiovascular system. Stages of the disease present with varying clinical manifestations.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of Lyme disease with appropriate antimicrobial therapy should be prompt in order to avoid debilitating outcomes. Awareness of the many presentations of Lyme disease in endemic areas may facilitate a timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Wright
D
D
Florida Atlantic University, USA. dwwright@metrolink.net
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D003020:Clothing; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008019:Life Style; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D022123:Lyme Disease Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011315:Preventive Medicine; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D022123:Lyme Disease Vaccines