]> 2026-07-31T09:38:53+00:00 WBR0057 0 en ''Borrelia burgdorferi'' ''Rickettsia rickettsii'' ''Rickettsia rickettsii'' causes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). ''Coxiella burnetii'' ''Brucella spp.'' ''Francisella tularensis'' The patient in this vignette has the early (primary) stage of Lyme disease, caused by the spirochete ''Borrelia burgdorferi''. ''Borrelia burgdorferi'' is a zoonotic bacteria that is carried by the Ixodes (deer) tick. In its early stages, Lyme disease causes flu-like symptoms and a characteristic “bullseye” rash called erythema chronicum migrans present in 80% of patients. The incubation period of Lyme disease can vary greatly, but is typically 1 to 2 weeks. If untreated, Lyme disease can cause facial palsy and AV nodal block (secondary Lyme disease) progressing to chronic monoarthritis or migratory polyarthritis (tertiary Lyme disease). It is endemic to Northeastern USA. Treatment is generally by doxycyline.<br/> '''Educational Objective:''' Primary (early) Lyme disease is characterized by the presence of a rash with a bullseye appearance. It is caused by the organism ''Borrelia burgdorferi'' that is transmitted by Ixodes (deer) tick. It is endemic in Northeastern USA.<br/> '''References:''' First Aid 2014 page 141 Microbiology William J Gibson (Reviewed by Yazan Daaboul) A 39-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician complaining of fever, muscle soreness, headache, and severe malaise one week after returning from a summer vacation on Cape Cod. Physical examination is remarkable for a red rash on her left leg with an inner ring clearing resembling a bullseye. What is the most likely causal organism? A Infectious Disease 2020-10-27T23:11:12Z 2459150.4661111 WBR0057