MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Tertiary Lyme disease

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Tertiary Lyme disease

Tertiary Lyme disease is a late, persistent inflammatory disease characterized by skin changes, neurological and musculoskeletal symptoms caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted by the bite of a deer tick. Tertiary Lyme disease is indicated by chronic arthritis.

Update Date: 5/20/2008

Updated by: Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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