Borrelia burgdorferi South America: Evidence Found in Brazil
Borrelia burgdorferi South America findings provide important evidence supporting Lyme-like illness in Brazil and highlight gaps in surveillance.
According to investigators, 2 of 35 Ixodes spp ticks tested positive for B. burgdorferi sensu lato (Bb s.l.). [1]
This discovery was not entirely unexpected, given prior reports of borreliosis-like disease in Brazil. “During 2009–2016, Brazil registered 4,078 suspected cases of borreliosis-like disease, also known as Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome,” states Dall’Agnol from the Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor in Eldorado do Sul, Brazil. [1]
“Of those cases, 679 people were positive for Borrelia spp. by Western blotting and enzyme immunoassay tests,” he adds. “Here, we show for the first time evidence of the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in its classic vector, Ixodes spp. ticks, in Brazil.”
The authors were not able to explain why B. burgdorferi s.l. was found only in Ixodes longiscutatus ticks.
Why Borrelia burgdorferi South America Findings Matter
The identification of B. burgdorferi s.l. in Brazilian ticks supports the possibility that Lyme-like illness in South America may share features with Lyme disease seen in North America and Europe.
These findings raise important questions about vector distribution, pathogen diversity, and regional differences in clinical presentation.
Gaps in Surveillance and Diagnosis
The delay in identifying B. burgdorferi s.l. in Ixodes spp. ticks may reflect limitations in surveillance programs.
“The lack of reports of Bb s.l. in ticks in Brazil may be due to the absence of a sound surveillance program or surveys focused on Borrelia spp. detection,” Dall’Agnol explains.
The authors emphasize that the lack of investigation into suspected human cases further complicates understanding of disease prevalence.
Public Health Implications
These findings highlight the need for improved public health policies focused on the diagnosis and prevention of borreliosis in Brazil and other parts of South America.
Additional research is needed to better understand:
- The geographic distribution of B. burgdorferi s.l.
- Potential animal reservoirs
- Tick vectors and transmission dynamics
- The pathogenicity of South American Borrelia strains
Dall’Agnol notes that further studies “are needed to fill the gaps in the distribution, pathogenicity, potential vertebrate reservoirs and vectors of the South American haplotypes of Bb s.l..”
Clinical Perspective
The presence of Borrelia burgdorferi South America suggests that Lyme-like illness should be considered in patients presenting with compatible symptoms in endemic regions.
Clinicians should remain aware of regional variations in tick-borne diseases and consider diagnostic limitations when evaluating patients with suspected infection.
Clinical Takeaway
Borrelia burgdorferi South America detection in Brazilian ticks supports the existence of Lyme-like illness in the region and underscores the need for improved surveillance, diagnostics, and research.
Greater awareness may help identify cases earlier and improve patient outcomes.
References
- Dall’Agnol B, Michel T, Weck B, et al. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes longiscutatus ticks from Brazilian Pampa. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2017.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
