Lyme Disease

Lyme disease, or borreliosis, is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged deer tick. It is the most common tickborne infectious disease in the United States.  

State health departments reported 42,743 confirmed or probable cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2017. Reported cases are not believed to reflect the actual incidence of Lyme disease, and CDC estimates that 300,000 cases likely occur annually. The incidence of Lyme disease, as with many other tick-borne diseases, has increased dramatically over the past 10 years.

Highlights

A photo of an adult female western blacklegged tick.
The western blacklegged tick, Ixodes pacificus, has been shown to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi, the agent of Lyme disease.
Credit
CDC

Current Efforts in Lyme Disease Research, 2023 Update

The overarching goals of the NIAID Lyme disease research program are to develop better
methods of diagnosing, treating, and preventing this disease in humans. To accomplish these
objectives, the NIAID Lyme disease research portfolio includes a broad range of activities
focusing on the pathogen, the vector, and the vertebrate hosts.

Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which can cause Lyme disease through the bite of an infected tick, is shown in gold color.
Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which can cause Lyme disease through the bite of an infected tick, is shown in gold color.
Credit
NIAID

NIAID Targets Transport System as Lyme Disease Treatment

NIAID scientists and colleagues are investigating a potential treatment strategy against Lyme disease that would directly suppress Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes the disease.

Clinical Trials

NIAID supports clinical research trials to develop better ways of diagnosing, treating, and preventing Lyme disease. People who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease or who suspect that they have Lyme disease may be eligible to participate.

 

Read more about Lyme disease studies that are currently seeking volunteers

NIAID Research on Other Tickborne Diseases

Scientists are searching for better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent tickborne diseases. They are also looking for ways to control the tick populations that transmit microbes.

Read about NIAID research on tickborne diseases

Related Public Health and Government Information

To learn about risk factors for Lyme Disease and current prevention and treatment strategies visit the MedlinePlus Lyme Disease site.

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