Borrelia: An Extensive Guide to a Complex Genus of Bacteria
Introduction The genus Borrelia encompasses a group of spiral-shaped bacteria that are best known for causing Lyme disease and various forms of relapsing fever in humans and animals. These bacteria are primarily transmitted through arthropod vectors, including ticks and lice, making them zoonotic pathogens with significant public health implications. With over 50 species identified to date, Borrelia displays a wide range of pathogenic characteristics and geographic distributions, leading to various clinical manifestations that pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.