Borrelia burgdorferi has evolved several survival tactics that make it a formidable opponent for the immune system:
If left untreated, the infection can move through different stages: Borrelia Burgdorferi - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH borrelia burgdorferi
Unlike almost all other life forms, this bacterium does not need iron to survive. Instead, it uses manganese, allowing it to bypass the body's natural defense of "starving" invaders of iron. 3. Symptoms to Watch For Symptoms to Watch For Its spiral shape allows
Its spiral shape allows it to "drill" through dense tissues, like cartilage and nerves, where other bacteria might get stuck. National Institutes of Health (
It can change its outer surface proteins to "camouflage" itself, staying one step ahead of your body's antibodies.
This spirochete causes a characteristic annular rash, arthritis, carditis, and in late stages, encephalopathy. National Institutes of Health (.gov) Why Is Lyme Disease So Hard to Treat?