Lyme disease: From the New England Journal to the New York Times

Lyme disease, a recently recognized clinical syndrome, caused by infection with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, and transmitted by the Ixodes dammini tick, consists of early and late manifestations of disease. Early disease consists of a characteristic skin lesion - erythema chronicum migrans, which may be associated with systemic symptoms. Late disease consists of arthritis or neurologic disease, and rarely cardiac disease. The history of the description of the disorder, its epidemiology, and clinical features are reviewed. Recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of the disorder are stressed. Differences between this disease in children and adults are highlighted.