Lyme disease
What is Lyme disease
Lyme disease is caused by the term or Lyme Disease called the doctor an infectious disease that id by a bacterium from the group of so-called spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium R.. As a representative of the spiral spirochetes Borrelia burgdorferi is provided for this group of bacteria with a characteristic musculoskeletal system, which enables the bacterium in contrast to other bacterial species to move through viscous material or penetrate into it. However, other representatives from the genus of spirochetes can be agents of Lyme Disease. These include, for example, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii Borrelia and spielmanii. I typically, the transmission of these bacteria from the Borrelia burgdorferi complex (bacteria from the Borrelia burgdorferi family) by the common wood tick (Ixodes ricinus), belonging to the known species of ticks. But even mosquitoes are discussed as possible carriers of the bacteria. In addition, parasitologists have reviewed the University of Bonn, whether the fall or run mites qualify as a disease vector. Their studies showed no evidence for this, however.
The spread of the pathogen
The Lyme disease-causing bacteria or durchseuchten with them ticks are found all over the world. In Germany, they appear concentrated in central and southern regions, so say experts from a North-South gap: Although currently widespread studies are lacking for the dissemination of the pathogen durchseuchten ticks, apply to surveys by the Robert Koch-Institute (RKI ), particularly the states of Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg as so-called epidemic areas. Some experts estimate here that the rate of durchseuchten with the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi complex of ticks in some so-called high-risk areas in up to approximately 50%. The average Durchseuchungsquote lie in Germany, however, only 20%.
The ticks - vectors of Lyme disease
Ticks as the common wood tick live normally on shrubs or in tall grass where they wait for a suitable host (such as dog or human). This they can use the so-called Haller organ register, an accumulation of specific receptors, which are on the front legs of the tick and with which the arachnids certain chemical compounds - such as ammonia (which is part of the urine) or butyric acid ( carry part of the sweat) - can. In addition, ticks are due to the Haller institution in a position to both physical and thermal stimuli to register: a potential host approaches, then the tick this exercise simply because of a change in ambient temperature. But his movements can grasp the tick in the form of fine vibrations. Moreover, scientists suspect that the Haller organ allows the tick to detect changes in light conditions. However, this issue could be resolved so far not exhaustive.
According to sex, the common wood tick reach a size of 2.5 to 4.5 mm. I typically it is the females that up to 4.5 mm in size. From the other body of the timber of goat's mouth abgegliedert, with the vacuum tool in the transmission of Lyme disease have a pivotal importance. The vacuum tool is composed of various elements and include the pedipalps, the chelicerae and the hypostome: With its club-shape to serve the so-called pedipalps (converted extremities) as tactile organs, which can feel the tick, for example, the human skin. The two chelicerae (jaws claws) are a little further behind, and help the wood block with their sharp front teeth to perforate such as human skin. After an incision is made, can the hypostome (proboscis), a type of vacuum tube that is filled with fine barbs are used: By the tick hypostome can take the blood of their "sacrifice" himself and transferred back to Borrelia.
The disease incidence in Lyme borreliosis
Even though there are for the entire Federal Republic are not definitive data on the incidence of Lyme disease, can put these estimates on 50000-160000 cases. Basis of these surveys, the reported new infections or diseases that were the RKI for the new provinces and the federal capital Berlin reported since 2001. Since there is a federal law for the said declaration. Thus, for the period 2002-2006 approximately 23 400 cases of illness reported to the RKI. In 2002, the disease incidence was higher at about 18 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Of the reported cases in 2006 were about 70% in the (late) summer months from June to September.
The probability of Lyme disease after tick bite
In a study by the University of Heidelberg has studied how high the risk of contracting Lyme disease is a tick bite. It showed that after the bite of a Borrelia burgdorferi-infected tick is the disease probability of 27%. In other studies, however, it was at 35%. Because of these relatively high figures, it is useful to prevent a Lyme infection according to (see treatment).
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