title: Texas Occurrence of Lyme Disease and Its Neurological Manifestations.
abstract: Today, Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne disease in the United States and Europe. The culprits behind Lyme disease are theBorreliaspecies of bacteria. In the USA,Borrelia burgdorfericauses the majority of cases, while in Europe and AsiaBorrelia afzeliiandBorrelia gariniicarry the greatest burden of disease. The clinical manifestations of Lyme disease have been identified as early localized, early disseminated, and late chronic. The neurological effects of Lyme disease include both peripheral and central nervous systems involvement, including focal nerve abnormalities, cranial neuropathies, painful radiculoneuritis, meningitis, and/or toxic metabolic encephalopathy, known as Lyme encephalopathy. Given the geographic predominance of Lyme disease in the Northeast and Midwest of the USA, no major studies have been conducted regarding Southern states. Between 2005 and 2014, the Center for Disease Control has reported 582 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in Texas. Because of the potential for increased incidence and prevalence in Texas, it has become essential for research and clinical efforts to be diverted to the region. The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Lyme Lab has been investigating the ecology of Lyme disease in Texas and developing a pan-specific serological test for Lyme diagnosis. This report aimed to exposure materials and raise awareness of Lyme disease to healthcare providers.
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Jad A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dandashi
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Damir
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nizamutdinov
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dayawansa
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Ekokobe
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fonkem
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine, Temple, Texas, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Jason H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Huang