MODERN ASPECTS OF ETIOLOGY, PATHOGENESIS, CLINICAL COURSE AND DIAGNOSIS OF LYME ARTHRITIS

Lyme borreliosis is a zoonotic infection with a vector-borne mechanism of transmission caused by Borrelia burgdorferi (less commonly B. mayonii). Rodents, birds, deer, and cattle are the natural reservoir of Borrelia burgdorferi. Ixodes ticks (Ixodes scapularis and I. pacifcus) are the main carrier of Borrelia between animals and humans: humans become infected by a tick bite infected with Borrelia. The possibility of human-to-human transmission of Lyme borreliosis has not been proven to date. Lyme borreliosis is the most common vector-borne infectious disease characterized by a wide polymorphism of clinical manifestations. The largest number of cases is recorded in the spring and autumn period (May-October), which is associated with an increase in outdoor activities and seasonal activity of ticks (most active in April-June and August-October).