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Borrelia

Borrelia

Borrelia Borrelia Borrelia are gram-negative microaerophilic spirochetes. Owing to their small size, they are not easily seen on Gram stain but can be visualized using dark-field microscopy, Giemsa, or Wright stain. Spirochetes are motile and move in a characteristic spinning fashion due to axial filaments in the periplasmic space. Borrelia son espiroquetas microaerofílicas gram-negativas. Debido a su pequeño tamaño, no se ven fácilmente en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum la tinción de Gram, pero se pueden visualizar mediante microscopía de campo oscuro, tinción de Giemsa o de Wright. Las espiroquetas son móviles y se mueven de forma giratoria característica debido a los LOS Neisseria filamentos axiales en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum el espacio periplásmico. La capacidad de Borrelia Borrelia Borrelia are gram-negative microaerophilic spirochetes. Owing to their small size, they are not easily seen on Gram stain but can be visualized using dark-field microscopy, Giemsa, or Wright stain. Spirochetes are motile and move in a characteristic spinning fashion due to axial filaments in the periplasmic space. Borrelia para expresar diferentes repertorios de proteínas de superficie permite la transmisión bacteriana y la evasión del sistema inmunológico del huésped. Borrelia Borrelia Borrelia are gram-negative microaerophilic spirochetes. Owing to their small size, they are not easily seen on Gram stain but can be visualized using dark-field microscopy, Giemsa, or Wright stain. Spirochetes are motile and move in a characteristic spinning fashion due to axial filaments in the periplasmic space. Borrelia utiliza garrapatas Ixodes, garrapatas Ornithodoros Ornithodoros A genus of softbacked ticks, in the family argasidae, serving as the vector of borrelia, causing relapsing fever, and of the african swine fever virus. Borrelia y el piojo del cuerpo humano como vectores, y las enfermedades resultantes incluyen la enfermedad de Lyme y la fiebre recurrente.

Last updated: Dec 15, 2025

Editorial responsibility: Stanley Oiseth, Lindsay Jones, Evelin Maza

Contents

Características Generales de Borrelia

Características básicas de las especies de Borrelia Borrelia Borrelia are gram-negative microaerophilic spirochetes. Owing to their small size, they are not easily seen on Gram stain but can be visualized using dark-field microscopy, Giemsa, or Wright stain. Spirochetes are motile and move in a characteristic spinning fashion due to axial filaments in the periplasmic space. Borrelia

  • Espiroquetas gram-negativas en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum forma de sacacorchos
  • Más grandes que las especies de Treponema Treponema Treponema is a gram-negative, microaerophilic spirochete. Owing to its very thin structure, it is not easily seen on Gram stain, but can be visualized using dark-field microscopy. This spirochete contains endoflagella, which allow for a characteristic corkscrew movement. Treponema
  • Visualización:
    • Microscopía de campo oscuro
    • Tinción de Wright o Giemsa
    • Difícil de visualizar con tinción de Gram
  • Microaerofílicas
  • Rodeadas por una membrana externa adicional rica en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum fosfolípidos y pocas proteínas expuestas
  • Difíciles de cultivar en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum medios ordinarios; comúnmente se utiliza el medio Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly.
Microscopía de campo oscuro de Borrelia burgdorferi

Microscopía de campo oscuro de Borrelia burgdorferi

Imagen: “Borrelia burgdorferi (CDC-PHIL-6631) lores” por CDC. Licencia: Dominio Público

Especies clínicamente relevantes

Related videos

6:35
Borrelia

Patogénesis

Reservorios

Transmisión

  • Garrapatas
    • Ocurre a través de la inyección de saliva Saliva The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth. It contains mucins, water, organic salts, and ptyalin. Salivary Glands: Anatomy durante la alimentación
    • Las garrapatas generalmente son muy pequeñas y la picadura suele pasar desapercibida.
    • La picadura más prolongada se asocia con un mayor riesgo de transmisión.
    • Especies asociadas
      • Ixodes scapularis (garrapata del venado)
      • Ornithodoros Ornithodoros A genus of softbacked ticks, in the family argasidae, serving as the vector of borrelia, causing relapsing fever, and of the african swine fever virus. Borrelia
  • Piojos
    • Especie: Pediculus humanus corporis Pediculus Humanus Corporis Epidemic Typhus (piojo del cuerpo humano)
      • Vive en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum la ropa
      • Solo se alimenta de humanos
    • B. recurrentis B. recurrentis Borrelia se introduce cuando los LOS Neisseria humanos aplastan al AL Amyloidosis piojo.
      • Puede entrar a través de roturas en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum la piel o conjuntivas (por frotarse los LOS Neisseria ojos)
      • No se transmite por la saliva Saliva The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth. It contains mucins, water, organic salts, and ptyalin. Salivary Glands: Anatomy o las heces de los LOS Neisseria piojos

Virulencia

  • Motilidad
    • Poseen numerosos filamentos axiales
      • Endoflagelos delgados en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum el espacio periplásmico
      • Les permite moverse de forma giratoria
    • Impulsa al AL Amyloidosis organismo a través de la sangre y la matriz extracelular
    • Permite escapar de la fagocitosis
  • Proteínas de superficie externa
    • Las lipoproteínas de superficie pueden regularse de forma positiva o negativa para facilitar la transmisión.
    • OspA
      • Responsable de la adhesión al AL Amyloidosis intestino medio de las garrapatas
      • La regulación negativa da como resultado el desprendimiento y la transferencia a la saliva Saliva The clear, viscous fluid secreted by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth. It contains mucins, water, organic salts, and ptyalin. Salivary Glands: Anatomy de las garrapatas.
    • OspC
      • Permite la invasión a través de la piel del huésped
      • Importante para el uso de plasminógeno
        • Digiere fibrina y glicoproteínas
        • Ayuda al AL Amyloidosis movimiento a través de la matriz extracelular
  • Las proteínas variables principales proporcionan variación antigénica.
    • Borrelia Borrelia Borrelia are gram-negative microaerophilic spirochetes. Owing to their small size, they are not easily seen on Gram stain but can be visualized using dark-field microscopy, Giemsa, or Wright stain. Spirochetes are motile and move in a characteristic spinning fashion due to axial filaments in the periplasmic space. Borrelia es capaz de cambiar los LOS Neisseria principales antígenos de su superficie.
    • Permite que las bacterias evadan la respuesta inmunitaria adaptativa del huésped
  • Por lo general, no se producen endotoxinas ni exotoxinas; los LOS Neisseria síntomas se deben al AL Amyloidosis sistema inmunológico del huésped.
Filamentos axiales de Borrelia

Filamentos axiales de Borrelia:
Los filamentos axiales están formados por múltiples flagelos periplásmicos (imagen inferior). Esto permite que la espiroqueta (imagen superior) se mueva de manera giratoria.

Imagen por Lecturio. Licencia: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Poblaciones en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum riesgo

  • Enfermedades transmitidas por garrapatas:
    • Montañistas
    • Campistas
    • Carpinteros
  • Enfermedades transmitidas por piojos:
    • Refugiados
    • Personas sin hogar

Enfermedades Causadas por Borrelia

Las siguientes enfermedades son causadas por Borrelia Borrelia Borrelia are gram-negative microaerophilic spirochetes. Owing to their small size, they are not easily seen on Gram stain but can be visualized using dark-field microscopy, Giemsa, or Wright stain. Spirochetes are motile and move in a characteristic spinning fashion due to axial filaments in the periplasmic space. Borrelia:

Tabla: Enfermedades causadas por Borrelia Borrelia Borrelia are gram-negative microaerophilic spirochetes. Owing to their small size, they are not easily seen on Gram stain but can be visualized using dark-field microscopy, Giemsa, or Wright stain. Spirochetes are motile and move in a characteristic spinning fashion due to axial filaments in the periplasmic space. Borrelia
Enfermedad Enfermedad de Lyme Fiebre recurrente
Especies asociadas
Manifestaciones clínicas
  • Fiebre, mialgias, linfadenopatía
  • Piel: eritema crónico migratorio
  • Fiebre recurrente, mialgias, artralgias, cefalea, delirio
  • Piel: erupción macular o purpúrica en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum tronco y extremidades, eritema multiforme
Complicaciones
  • Neurológicas: parálisis de Bell, meningitis Meningitis Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes of the brain, and spinal cord. The causes of meningitis are varied, with the most common being bacterial or viral infection. The classic presentation of meningitis is a triad of fever, altered mental status, and nuchal rigidity. Meningitis, meningoradiculitis Meningoradiculitis Lyme Disease, encefalomielitis
  • Cardíacas: miocarditis, bloqueo AV
  • Musculoesqueléticas: poliartritis migratoria
  • Neurológicas: parálisis de Bell, meningitis Meningitis Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes of the brain, and spinal cord. The causes of meningitis are varied, with the most common being bacterial or viral infection. The classic presentation of meningitis is a triad of fever, altered mental status, and nuchal rigidity. Meningitis, mielitis
  • Cardiacas: miocarditis
  • Pulmonares: SDRA
  • Hematológicas: trombocitopenia, hemoptisis, epistaxis Epistaxis Bleeding from the nose. Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Diagnóstico Clínico, apoyado usando ELISA ELISA An immunoassay utilizing an antibody labeled with an enzyme marker such as horseradish peroxidase. While either the enzyme or the antibody is bound to an immunosorbent substrate, they both retain their biologic activity; the change in enzyme activity as a result of the enzyme-antibody-antigen reaction is proportional to the concentration of the antigen and can be measured spectrophotometrically or with the naked eye. Many variations of the method have been developed. St. Louis Encephalitis Virus y Western blot Microscopía clínica de campo oscuro, tinción de Giemsa, o tinción de Wright de frotis de sangre
Tratamiento
  • Doxiciclina
  • Ceftriaxona para enfermedad grave
  • Doxiciclina, penicilina G
  • Enfermedad grave: penicilina G, ceftriaxona
Prevención
  • ↓ exposición a garrapatas → ropa protectora, repelentes, quitar garrapatas
  • PEP PEP A monocarboxylic acid anion derived from selective deprotonation of the carboxy group of phosphoenolpyruvic acid. It is a metabolic intermediate in glycolysis; gluconeogenesis; and other pathways. Glycolysis: doxiciclina para aquellos en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum áreas de ↑ riesgo
  • TBRF TBRF Relapsing Fever: ↓ exposición a garrapatas → sellado de pisos en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum casas, evitar roedores, repelentes de garrapatas
  • LBRF LBRF Relapsing Fever: ↓ exposición a piojos → mejor higiene, ↓ hacinamiento, lavado de ropa
  • PEP PEP A monocarboxylic acid anion derived from selective deprotonation of the carboxy group of phosphoenolpyruvic acid. It is a metabolic intermediate in glycolysis; gluconeogenesis; and other pathways. Glycolysis: doxiciclina para aquellos en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum áreas de ↑ riesgo

TBRF: fiebre recurrente transmitida por garrapatas (en inglés)

LBRF: fiebre recurrente transmitida por piojos (en inglés)

AV: auriculoventricular

SDRA: síndrome de dificultad respiratoria aguda

ELISA: ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas (en inglés)

PEP: profilaxis post-exposición (en inglés)

Erupción clásica de eritema migrans de Borrelia burgdorferi

Erupción clásica de eritema migratorio de Borrelia burgdorferi

Imagen: “Diagnostic challenges of early Lyme disease: lessons from a community case series” por Aucott J, Morrison C, Muñoz B, Rowe PC, Schwarzwalder A, West SK. Licencia: CC BY 2.0

Comparación de Espiroquetas

Las espiroquetas son gram-negativas, en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum forma de espiral y móviles. La siguiente tabla compara brevemente algunas espiroquetas clínicamente relevantes:

Tabla: Comparación de espiroquetas clínicamente relevantes
Organismo Treponema pallidum Treponema pallidum The causative agent of venereal and non-venereal syphilis as well as yaws. Treponema pallidum Otras subespecies deT. pallidum Treponema carateum Treponema carateum Treponema Borrelia Borrelia Borrelia are gram-negative microaerophilic spirochetes. Owing to their small size, they are not easily seen on Gram stain but can be visualized using dark-field microscopy, Giemsa, or Wright stain. Spirochetes are motile and move in a characteristic spinning fashion due to axial filaments in the periplasmic space. Borrelia burgdorfi Borrelia recurrentis Borrelia recurrentis Borrelia Leptospira interrogans Leptospira interrogans A genus of question mark-shaped bacteria spirochetes which is found in freshwater that is contaminated by animal urine. It causes leptospirosis. Leptospira/Leptospirosis
Micro
  • Microaero
  • No se observa con la tinción de Gram o Giemsa
  • Microaero
  • No se observa con la tinción de Gram o Giemsa
  • Microaero
  • No se observa con la tinción de Gram o Giemsa
  • Microaero
  • Se observa usando la tinción de Giemsa y Wright
  • Microaero
  • Se observa usando la tinción de Giemsa y Wright
  • Aerobio
  • Extremos en EN Erythema nodosum is an immune-mediated panniculitis (inflammation of the subcutaneous fat) caused by a type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity reaction. It commonly manifests in young women as tender, erythematous nodules on the shins. Erythema Nodosum forma de gancho
Virulencia
  • Hialuronidasa
  • Recubrimiento de fibronectina
  • Hialuronidasa
  • Recubrimiento de fibronectina
  • Hialuronidasa
  • Recubrimiento de fibronectina
  • Variación antigénica
  • Regulación con Osp
 Variación antigénica
  • LPS
  • Hemolisinas
  • Reguladores del complemento y enzimas
Reservorio Humanos Humanos Humanos
  • Roedores
  • Ciervo
 Humanos
  • Animales salvajes
  • Ganado
  • Animales domesticados
Transmisión Contacto sexual Contacto P2P Contacto P2P Garrapata Ixodes Piojo Contacto directo con tejidos o fluidos animales
Hallazgos clínicos Sífilis
  • Pian
  • Bejel Bejel Yaws, bejel, and pinta are endemic, nonvenereal treponematoses. The causative organisms are Treponema pallidum pertenue (yaws), T. pallidum endemicum (bejel), and T. carateum (pinta). These treponematoses are generally transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact with infected skin lesions. Yaws, Bejel, and Pinta
 Pinta Pinta An infectious disease of the skin caused by treponema carateum that occurs only in the Western hemisphere. Age of onset is between 10 and 20 years of age. This condition is characterized by marked changes in the skin color and is believed to be transmitted by direct person-to-person contact. Yaws, Bejel, and Pinta Enfermedad de Lyme Fiebre recurrente
  • Leptospirosis Leptospirosis Leptospira is a spiral or question mark-shaped, gram-negative spirochete with hook-shaped ends. The major clinical species is Leptospira interrogans, which causes a mild flu-like illness in a majority of cases. The manifestations are biphasic, with Leptospira found in the blood initially. Leptospira/Leptospirosis
  • Enfermedad de Weil
Diagnóstico
  • Clínico
  • ELISA ELISA An immunoassay utilizing an antibody labeled with an enzyme marker such as horseradish peroxidase. While either the enzyme or the antibody is bound to an immunosorbent substrate, they both retain their biologic activity; the change in enzyme activity as a result of the enzyme-antibody-antigen reaction is proportional to the concentration of the antigen and can be measured spectrophotometrically or with the naked eye. Many variations of the method have been developed. St. Louis Encephalitis Virus
  • Western blot
 Análisis de frotis de sangre
  • Hemocultivo
  • Urocultivo
  • ELISA ELISA An immunoassay utilizing an antibody labeled with an enzyme marker such as horseradish peroxidase. While either the enzyme or the antibody is bound to an immunosorbent substrate, they both retain their biologic activity; the change in enzyme activity as a result of the enzyme-antibody-antigen reaction is proportional to the concentration of the antigen and can be measured spectrophotometrically or with the naked eye. Many variations of the method have been developed. St. Louis Encephalitis Virus
  • PCR PCR Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique that amplifies DNA fragments exponentially for analysis. The process is highly specific, allowing for the targeting of specific genomic sequences, even with minuscule sample amounts. The PCR cycles multiple times through 3 phases: denaturation of the template DNA, annealing of a specific primer to the individual DNA strands, and synthesis/elongation of new DNA molecules. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Tratamiento
  • Penicilina G
  • Ceftriaxona
  • Doxiciclina
  • Penicilina G
  • Azitromicina
  • Penicilina G
  • Azitromicina
  • Doxiciclina
  • Amoxicilina
  • Ceftriaxona
  • Penicilina G
  • Doxiciclina
  • Penicilina G
  • Doxiciclina

Osp: proteína de superficie externa (en inglés)

LPS: lipopolisacárido

P2P: persona a persona (en inglés)

Microaero: microaerofílico

VDRL: prueba del Venereal Disease Research Laboratory

FTA-ABS: absorción de anticuerpos treponémicos fluorescentes (en inglés)

ELISA: ensayo inmunoabsorbente ligado a enzimas (en inglés)

PCR: reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (en inglés)

Thick spirals of Treponema

Comparación visual de espiroquetas en micrografía electrónica: espirales gruesas de Treponema

Imagen: “Treponema pallidum” por Dr. David Cox. Licencia: Dominio Público
Borrelia

Comparación visual de espiroquetas en micrografía electrónica: Borrelia, que son más grandes que Treponema

Imagen: “Lyme disease parasite, Borrelia burgdorferi” por Claudia Molins. Licencia: Dominio Público
Hooked ends of Leptospira

Comparación visual de espiroquetas en micrografía electrónica: extremos en forma de gancho de Leptospira

Imagen: “A filtration-based technique for simultaneous SEM and TEM sample preparation for the rapid detection of pathogens” por Beniac DR, Siemens CG, Wright CJ, Booth TF. Licencia: CC BY 3.0, editada por Lecturio.

Referencias

  1. Barbour, A.G. (2025). Clinical features, diagnosis, and management of relapsing fever. In Mitty, J. (Ed.), Uptodate. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clinical-features-diagnosis-and-management-of-relapsing-feverr
  2. Barbour, A.G. (2025). Microbiology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology of relapsing fever. In Mitty, J. (Ed.), Uptodate. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/microbiology-pathogenesis-and-epidemiology-of-relapsing-fever
  3. Barbour, A.G. (2025). Microbiology of Lyme disease. In Mitty, J. (Ed.), Uptodate. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/microbiology-of-lyme-disease
  4. Gladwin, M., & Trattler, B. (2008). Clinical microbiology made ridiculously simple (4th edition). Miami: MedMaster

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