Borrelia Burgdorferi Official

Transmission usually requires the tick to be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more.

When an infected tick latches on to feed, the bacteria migrate from its gut to its salivary glands and then into your bloodstream. borrelia burgdorferi

Unlike almost all other life forms, this bacterium does not need iron to survive. Instead, it uses manganese, allowing it to bypass the body's natural defense of "starving" invaders of iron. 3. Symptoms to Watch For Transmission usually requires the tick to be attached

Most humans are infected by nymphs —immature ticks about the size of a poppy seed, which are incredibly difficult to spot. 2. A "Smart" Bacterium Instead, it uses manganese, allowing it to bypass

Its spiral shape allows it to "drill" through dense tissues, like cartilage and nerves, where other bacteria might get stuck.

Borrelia burgdorferi has evolved several survival tactics that make it a formidable opponent for the immune system: