B. hermsii

Definition

Borrelia hermsii is a spirochete bacterium that causes tick-borne relapsing fever in humans. It is primarily transmitted through the bite of soft ticks from the genus Ornithodoros.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Borrelia hermsii is a significant cause of tick-borne relapsing fever in North America.
2. The bacterium undergoes antigenic variation, which allows it to evade the host's immune system and cause recurrent fever episodes.
3. Infections typically present with sudden high fevers, chills, headaches, muscle and joint aches, and nausea.
4. Diagnosis can be confirmed through blood smears stained with Giemsa or Wright stain, where spirochetes can be directly observed.
5. Treatment commonly includes antibiotics such as doxycycline or erythromycin.

Review Questions

Related terms

Tick-borne Relapsing Fever: A bacterial infection characterized by recurring episodes of fever, caused by various Borrelia species including B. hermsii.

Spirochete: A type of bacterium characterized by its spiral shape; includes genera like Borrelia and Treponema.

Antigenic Variation:

A mechanism used by certain pathogens like B. hermsii to alter surface proteins to evade the host immune response.