What type of organism is responsible for Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is caused by a specific type of bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi. This organism is a spirochete, which is characterized by its spiral shape and unique way of moving. The transmission occurs primarily through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (also called deer ticks), which harbor the bacterium in their bite and transfer it to humans during feeding.

Understanding the classification of Lyme disease as a bacterial infection helps contextualize the treatment options as well. Antibiotics are the primary form of treatment, which are effective against bacterial infections but would be ineffective if Lyme disease were caused by a virus, parasite, or fungus. Each of those types of pathogens requires different therapeutic strategies and has different modes of infection and replication. Therefore, recognizing that Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium is crucial for both diagnosis and management of the disease.