Lyme disease.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic search or empirical data pooling
PubMed 26601457 · doi:10.20506/rst.34.2.2380
What was done
This narrative review summarizes the etiology, environmental drivers, clinical presentations, diagnostic pathways, treatments, and prevention measures for Lyme disease in humans and animals (primarily dogs).
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data. It notes that Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto causes disease in the Americas, whereas B. burgdorferi s.s., B. afzelii, and B. garinii are present in Europe and Asia. Human presentations include erythema migrans, neuroborreliosis, and Lyme arthritis; canine signs include fever, lameness, and polyarthritis. Diagnosis relies on two-tier serology in humans or C6 peptide testing in dogs. Treatment consists of a three-week course of antibiotics (such as doxycycline or amoxicillin), and prevention relies on tick control, with vaccines available for dogs but not humans.
Why it matters
The review provides a concise comparative summary of Lyme disease management, diagnosis, and prevention across both human medicine and veterinary health.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks a systematic literature search, formal risk-of-bias assessments, and quantitative effect estimates for diagnostic accuracy or treatment efficacy.
Cited by
- supports A Lyme disease vaccine has remained in continuous veterinary use for dogs after the human vaccine was withdrawn.