Abstract
Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne infection in Central Europe. Borrelia have an affinity for a number of organs and tissues (skin, nervous system, joints, myocardium, etc.).
The basis of laboratory diagnosis is currently the detection of specific IgM and IgG antibodies, confirming contact with the infectious agent, not the activity of the infection. Other methods are of limited use mainly due to low sensitivity (PCR) or lack of clinical data (specific cellular immune response).
Careful evaluation of the clinical symptoms in correlation with laboratory test results is a prerequisite for a correct diagnosis. In the early stages of the disease, the effect of antibiotic treatment is very good.
Inadequate or no clinical response should lead to a reassessment of the diagnosis and extension of the diagnostic procedures to other, even non-infectious causes of the symptoms. Newly developed vaccines could contribute to the prevention of the disease in the future.