FEATURE Lyme Disease can be a Diagnostic Challenge By Marina Makous, MD Lyme disease is the most common tickborne illness in the United States and has a high incidence in Chester Country. It is caused by the spiral-shaped microbe Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete, that infects humans through the bite of a "deer tick." After the bite, the bacteria rapidly spread from the skin throughout the body, producing different symptoms at different times. In some patients, a healthy immune system may be enough to eradicate this spirochete. In most others, antibiotic treatment is needed to fight the infection. 18 DELAWARE COUNTY MEDICINE & HEALTH winter 2017