History of Lyme disease in Timeline

Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is a tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia bacteria, transmitted through Ixodes ticks. Predominantly found in the Northern Hemisphere, it's most prevalent during spring and early summer.

1909: Afzelius Presents Study on Erythema Migrans

At a 1909 research conference, Swedish dermatologist Arvid Afzelius presented a study about an expanding, ring-like lesion he had observed in an older woman following the bite of a sheep tick, naming the lesion erythema migrans.

1911: Description of Borrelial Lymphocytoma

In 1911, the skin condition now known as borrelial lymphocytoma was first described.

1930: Hellerström Proposes Link Between EM and Neurological Symptoms

In 1930, the Swedish dermatologist Sven Hellerström was the first to propose that erythema migrans (EM) and neurological symptoms following a tick bite were related.

1946: Experimentation with Spirochete-Killing Substances

Starting in 1946, facilities in Sweden experimented with treating EM rashes with substances known to kill spirochetes.

1948: Lennhoff Publishes on Spirochetes in Skin Conditions

In 1948, Carl Lennhoff published on his use of a special stain to microscopically observe what he believed were spirochetes in various types of skin lesions, including EM.

1949: First Treatment of ACA with Penicillin

In 1949, Nils Thyresson was the first to treat ACA (Acrodermatitis Chronica Atrophicans) with penicillin.

1970: First Documented Case of EM in the United States

In 1970, a dermatologist in Wisconsin named Rudolph Scrimenti recognized an EM lesion in a person after recalling a paper by Hellerström and treated the person with penicillin based on the European literature. This was the first documented case of EM in the United States.

1975: Lyme Disease Diagnosed as Separate Condition

In 1975, Lyme disease was diagnosed as a separate condition for the first time in Lyme, Connecticut.

1975: Discovery of Lyme Disease Cluster

In 1975, a cluster of cases, initially misdiagnosed as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, was identified in Lyme and Old Lyme, Connecticut. This led to the recognition of a new syndrome, later named Lyme disease, investigated by physicians David Snydman, Allen Steere and others.

1976: Disease Referred to as Lyme Disease

Before 1976, the elements of B. burgdorferi sensu lato infection were called or known as tick-borne meningopolyneuritis, Garin-Bujadoux syndrome, Bannwarth syndrome, Afzelius's disease, Montauk Knee or sheep tick fever. Since 1976 the disease is most often referred to as Lyme disease, Lyme borreliosis or simply borreliosis.

1980: Antibiotic testing begins and Lyme-endemic ticks are collected.

In 1980, Allen Steere et al. began to test antibiotic regimens in adults with Lyme disease. Also in 1980, Jorge Benach provided Willy Burgdorfer with I. dammini [scapularis] ticks from Shelter Island, New York.

June 1982: Burgdorfer publishes findings identifying Borrelia burgdorferi

In June 1982, Willy Burgdorfer published his findings in Science, identifying the spirochete responsible for Lyme disease. The spirochete was subsequently named Borrelia burgdorferi in his honor.

1986: Voluntary Reporting of Lyme Disease Cases Begins in the UK

In 1986, voluntary reporting of Lyme disease cases began in the UK and Ireland, with 68 cases recorded.

1987: Identification of B. burgdorferi in tick saliva

In 1987, B. burgdorferi spirochetes were identified in tick saliva, confirming the method of transmission occurred via tick salivary glands.

1988: Lyme Disease Cases in the UK

In 1988, there were 23 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the UK.

1989: Seropositivity Among Forestry Workers in the New Forest

A 1989 report found that 25% of forestry workers in the New Forest were seropositive for Lyme disease, as were between 2% and 4–5% of the general local population of the area.

1990: Lyme Disease Cases in the UK

In 1990, there were 19 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the UK.

1991: CDC Implements National Surveillance of Lyme Disease

In 1991, the CDC implemented national surveillance of Lyme disease cases.

1992: Jaenson et al. on the European Roe Deer

Jaenson et al. in 1992 considered that the European roe deer "does not appear to serve as a major reservoir of B. burgdorferi" (incompetent host for B. burgdorferi and TBE virus) but it is important for feeding the ticks.

1992: First Reported Case of Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome in Brazil

The first reported case of Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome (BYS), a Lyme-like disease, in Brazil was made in 1992 in Cotia, São Paulo.

December 1998: FDA Approves LYMErix Vaccine

On December 21, 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved LYMErix, a recombinant vaccine against Lyme disease, for persons of ages 15 through 70, based on clinical trials showing 76% protective immunity after three doses.

1998: Availability of LYMErix vaccine

In 1998, the vaccine LYMErix was available.

February 2002: GlaxoSmithKline Withdraws LYMErix from U.S. Market

In February 2002, GlaxoSmithKline withdrew LYMErix from the U.S. market due to negative media coverage and fears of vaccine side effects, despite a lack of evidence that complaints were caused by the vaccine.

2002: Discontinuation of LYMErix vaccine

In 2002, LYMErix was discontinued.

2002: LYMErix Withdrawn from Market

LYMErix vaccine was available from 1998 to 2002.

2003: Researchers postulate the dilution effect

In 2003, some researchers began to consider whether the dilution effect could mitigate the spread of Lyme disease. The dilution effect is a hypothesis that predicts that an increase in host biodiversity will result in a decrease in the number of vectors infected with B. burgdorferi.

2004: Publication of 'Lab 257: The Disturbing Story of the Government's Secret Plum Island Germ Laboratory'

In 2004, the book "Lab 257: The Disturbing Story of the Government's Secret Plum Island Germ Laboratory" fueled conspiracy theories alleging Lyme disease was a biological weapon from Plum Island.

Lab 257: The Disturbing Story of the Government's Secret Germ Laboratory

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2005: Climate Suitability Modeling of I. scapularis

In 2005, a study using climate suitability modeling of I. scapularis projected that climate change would cause a 213% increase in suitable vector habitat by 2080, with northward expansions in Canada, increased suitability in the central U.S., and decreased suitable habitat and vector retraction in the southern U.S.

2005: Lyme disease cases in the United States

In 2005, the ratio of Lyme disease infection reported to the United States CDC was 7.9 cases for every 100,000 persons. In the ten states where Lyme disease is most common, the average was 31.6 cases for every 100,000 persons.

2007: Study Suggests Borrelia burgdorferi Infections Are Endemic to Mexico

A 2007 study suggests Borrelia burgdorferi infections are endemic to Mexico, from four cases reported between 1999 and 2000.

2008: Review of Environmental Factors and Lyme Disease Risk

In 2008, a review of published studies concluded that the presence of forests or forested areas was the only variable that consistently elevated the risk of Lyme disease, while other environmental variables showed little or no concordance between studies.

2008: Release of documentary 'Under Our Skin'

In 2008, the documentary "Under Our Skin" was released, promoting controversial and unrecognized theories about "chronic Lyme disease".

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2009: Lyme Disease Cases in the UK

In 2009, there were 973 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the UK.

2009: Infection Rates in UK Ticks

Tests on pet dogs in 2009 indicated that around 2.5% of ticks in the UK may be infected with Lyme disease, considerably higher than previously thought.

2010: Mandatory Reporting of Lyme Disease in the UK

In 2010, mandatory reporting of Lyme disease, limited to laboratory test results, was required in the UK under the provisions of the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010. Lyme disease is a notifiable disease in Scotland.

2010: Lyme Disease Cases in the UK

In 2010, there were 953 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the UK.

2010: Borrelia DNA Found in Ötzi the Iceman

The 2010 autopsy of Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy, revealed the presence of the DNA sequence of Borrelia burgdorferi, making him the earliest known human with Lyme disease.

2011: Increase in Lyme Disease Cases in the UK

Provisional figures for the first three quarters of 2011 showed a 26% increase in Lyme disease cases compared to the same period in 2010 in the UK.

2012: Model-Based Prediction of Tick Range Expansion

In 2012, a model-based prediction by Leighton et al. suggested that the range of the I. scapularis tick would expand into Canada by 46 km/year over the next decade, primarily due to warming climatic temperatures.

July 2017: FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to VLA15

In July 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted fast track designation to VLA15, a hexavalent (OspA) protein subunit-based vaccine candidate developed by Valneva.

2018: Dilution effect disproved in some regions

As of 2018, the dilution effect is only supported in the Northeastern United States, and has been disproved in other parts of the world that also experience high Lyme disease incidence rates

April 2020: Pfizer Acquires Rights to VLA15

In April 2020, Pfizer paid $130 million for the rights to the vaccine VLA15, and the companies are developing it together, performing multiple phase 2 trials.

2022: Phase 3 Trial of VLA15 Scheduled

A phase 3 trial of VLA15 was scheduled for late 2022, recruiting volunteers at test sites located across the northeastern United States and in Europe.

2022: Updated Lyme Disease Surveillance Case Definition

In 2022, the surveillance case definition for Lyme disease classified cases as confirmed, probable, and suspect.

2022: VLA15 Phase 3 Trial Scheduled

In 2022, the vaccine candidate VLA15 was scheduled to start a phase 3 trial in the third quarter, with other research ongoing.

2023: Availability of Lyme Disease Vaccines in 2023

As of 2023, no human vaccines for Lyme disease were available. Multiple vaccines are available for the prevention of Lyme disease in dogs.

2023: Research on Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome

In 2023, a review found that Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) had similar pathogenesis despite different infectious origins. Treatment for PTLDS remains symptomatic, similar to the management of fibromyalgia or ME/CFS.

2023: Clinical trials of Lyme disease vaccines and prevention methods

In 2023, clinical trials for human vaccines for Lyme disease were underway, but no vaccine was available to the public. Prevention methods included wearing protective clothing and using DEET or picaridin-based insect repellents.

2024: Analysis of Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome

In 2024, an analysis concluded that evidence to connect Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome (BYS) to Borrelia bacteria was lacking.

2024: Conspiracy theories about Lyme disease origins spread further.

In 2024, conspiracy theories about the origins of Lyme disease were further spread due to attention from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

2025: Conspiracy theories about Lyme disease origins spread further.

In 2025, conspiracy theories about the origins of Lyme disease were further spread due to attention from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

2080: Projected Increase in Suitable Vector Habitat

A 2005 study projected that by 2080, climate change would cause a 213% increase in suitable vector habitat for I. scapularis, with northward expansions in Canada, increased suitability in the central U.S., and decreased suitable habitat and vector retraction in the southern U.S.