Sexual transmission of Lyme disease: challenging the tickborne disease paradigm.
Lyme disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi has become a major worldwide epidemic. In this article, we explore the clinical, epidemiological and experimental evidence for sexual transmission of Lyme disease in animal models and humans. Although the likelihood of sexual transmission of the Lyme spirochete remains speculative, the possibility of Lyme disease transmission via intimate human contact merits further study.
a International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, P.O. Box 341461, Bethesda, MD 20827-1461, USA.
Raphael B
RB
Stricker
a International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, P.O. Box 341461, Bethesda, MD 20827-1461, USA.
Marianne J
MJ
Middelveen
D000818:Animals; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission*; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy*
Borrelia burgdorferi; Lyme disease; genital secretions; sexual transmission