Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia bacteria, often presents with an expanding red rash called erythema migrans. Early symptoms include fever, headaches, and fatigue. Untreated Lyme disease can lead to facial paralysis, joint pain, and heart issues. Long-term complications like joint pain, cognitive difficulties, and fatigue can persist in some individuals despite treatment, a condition known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome.
1909: Erythema Migrans Described by Arvid Afzelius
Swedish dermatologist Arvid Afzelius presented a study in 1909 about an expanding, ring-like skin lesion, which he called erythema migrans, observed after a sheep tick bite.
1911: Borrelial Lymphocytoma First Described
The skin condition now recognized as borrelial lymphocytoma, often associated with Lyme disease, was first described in 1911.
1930: Sven Hellerström Proposes Link Between EM and Neurological Symptoms
In 1930, Swedish dermatologist Sven Hellerström became the first to suggest a connection between erythema migrans (EM) and neurological symptoms after a tick bite.
1946: Swedish Facilities Experiment with Penicillin for EM Treatment
Starting in 1946, facilities in Sweden experimented with using substances that kill spirochetes to treat EM rashes, with Einar Hollström reporting penicillin as the most effective.
1948: Carl Lennhoff's Research on Spirochetes and Skin Conditions
Carl Lennhoff published research in 1948 on his use of a special stain to observe what he believed were spirochetes in various skin lesions, including EM. Though later proven incorrect, this sparked interest in studying spirochetes in skin diseases.
1949: Nils Thyresson Treats ACA with Penicillin
Nils Thyresson, working at the Karolinska Institute, became the first to treat ACA with penicillin in 1949.
1950: Hellerström's Paper Reprinted in American Journal
A paper by Sven Hellerström on erythema migrans (EM) was reprinted in an American science journal in 1950, raising awareness of the condition among US physicians.
1970: First Documented Case of EM in the United States
In 1970, dermatologist Rudolph Scrimenti recognized an EM lesion in a person in Wisconsin, marking the first documented case in the United States. He treated the patient with penicillin based on European literature.
1975: Lyme Disease Recognized as a Distinct Tick-Borne Condition
A cluster of cases initially thought to be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in Connecticut in 1975 led to the recognition of Lyme disease as a distinct tick-borne condition. Researchers and physicians, including David Snydman, Allen Steere, and Stephen Malawista, played key roles in this discovery.
1975: First Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
In 1975, Lyme disease was recognized as a distinct condition in Lyme, Connecticut, after initially being misidentified as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
1975: Lyme Disease Identified as a Separate Condition
Lyme disease was first diagnosed as a distinct condition in 1975 in Lyme, Connecticut.
1976: Standardization of Lyme Disease Terminology
From 1976 onward, the term "Lyme disease" became the most common name for the tick-borne illness previously known by various names, including tick-borne meningopolyneuritis, Garin-Bujadoux syndrome, Bannwarth syndrome, Afzelius's disease, Montauk Knee, and sheep tick fever. The terms Lyme borreliosis and simply borreliosis were also used.
1980: Research on Antibiotic Treatments and Tick Transmission Begins
In 1980, Steere and colleagues started testing antibiotic regimens for Lyme disease in adults. Simultaneously, research into the mechanism of tick transmission began.
1981: Discovery of the Lyme Disease Bacterium
Willy Burgdorfer identified and described the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease in 1981.
June 1982: Willy Burgdorfer Identifies Borrelia burgdorferi
In June 1982, Willy Burgdorfer published his discovery of the spirochete responsible for Lyme disease, later named Borrelia burgdorferi in his honor. He isolated the spirochetes from both ticks and Lyme disease patients.
1986: Voluntary Reporting of Lyme Disease in the UK
Voluntary reporting of Lyme disease began in the UK in 1986, with 68 cases recorded in the UK and Ireland combined.
1987: Borrelia burgdorferi Identified in Tick Saliva
The presence of B. burgdorferi spirochetes was confirmed in tick saliva in 1987, supporting the hypothesis that transmission occurs through tick salivary glands.
1988: Confirmed Lyme Disease Cases in the UK
In 1988, there were 23 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in the UK.
1989: Seropositivity Rates for Lyme Disease in the New Forest
A 1989 study revealed that 25% of forestry workers in the New Forest tested positive for Lyme disease antibodies, along with 2% to 4-5% of the general population in the area.
January 1990: Lyme Disease Becomes Notifiable in Scotland
Lyme disease was declared a notifiable disease in Scotland starting in January 1990, requiring reporting based on clinical suspicion.
1990: Confirmed Lyme Disease Cases in the UK
In 1990, the UK reported 19 confirmed cases of Lyme disease.
1991: CDC Implements National Surveillance of Lyme Disease
In 1991, the CDC implemented a national surveillance system for Lyme disease cases in the US.
1992: Study on Lyme Disease Reservoirs in Europe
A 1992 study by Jaenson & al. investigated the role of European roe deer as a reservoir for Lyme disease, finding them to be incompetent hosts but important for tick feeding.
1992: First Case of Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome Reported in Brazil
The first case of Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome (BYS), a Lyme-like disease caused by microorganisms not belonging to the B. burgdorferi sensu lato complex, was reported in Cotia, São Paulo, Brazil, in 1992.
December 1998: FDA Approval of LYMErix Vaccine
On December 21, 1998, the FDA approved the LYMErix vaccine for individuals aged 15 to 70, based on clinical trials involving over 10,000 participants.
1998: Introduction of LYMErix Vaccine
The LYMErix vaccine for Lyme disease was introduced in 1998.
1999: First Cases of Lyme Disease Reported in Mexico
Between 1999 and 2000, four cases of Lyme disease were reported in Mexico.
2000: First Cases of Lyme Disease Reported in Mexico
Between 1999 and 2000, four cases of Lyme disease were reported in Mexico.
February 2002: Withdrawal of LYMErix Vaccine
Despite a lack of evidence linking it to health issues, LYMErix was taken off the market in February 2002 due to negative media coverage and concerns about potential side effects.
2002: Discontinuation of LYMERix Vaccine
The LYMERix vaccine, produced for Lyme disease, was discontinued in 2002 due to low demand.
2002: Withdrawal of LYMErix Vaccine
The LYMErix vaccine was withdrawn from the market in 2002.
2002: Discontinuation of LYMErix
LYMErix, a vaccine for Lyme disease, was discontinued in 2002.
2005: Study on Climate Change and Lyme Disease Risk
A 2005 study employing climate suitability modeling projected that by 2080, climate change could lead to a 213% expansion of suitable habitats for Lyme disease vectors, primarily I. scapularis ticks.
2005: Lyme Disease Prevalence and Statistics in the United States
In 2005, Lyme disease was recognized as a growing infectious disease in the United States. The CDC reported a national ratio of 7.9 Lyme disease cases per 100,000 people. In the ten states with the highest prevalence, the average was 31.6 cases per 100,000.
2007: Study Suggests Lyme Disease Endemic to Mexico
A 2007 study suggested that Borrelia burgdorferi infections, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, are endemic to Mexico. This was based on four reported cases between 1999 and 2000.
2008: Review of Environmental Factors and Lyme Disease Risk
A 2008 review of studies concluded that the presence of forests was the only consistent factor increasing Lyme disease risk.
2008: Documentary "Under Our Skin" Released
The documentary "Under Our Skin", released in 2008, brought attention to controversial and unrecognized theories about "chronic Lyme disease".
2009: Study on Tick Infection Rates in the UK
In 2009, tests conducted on pet dogs across the UK revealed that roughly 2.5% of ticks might be infected with Lyme disease, a rate significantly higher than previously estimated.
2009: Confirmed Lyme Disease Cases in the UK
The UK reported 973 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in 2009.
October 2010: Mandatory Reporting of Lyme Disease in the UK
Mandatory reporting of Lyme disease, based solely on laboratory test results, was implemented across the UK in October 2010.
2010: Borrelia burgdorferi DNA Found in Ötzi the Iceman
In 2010, an autopsy of Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,300-year-old mummy, revealed the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi DNA, making him the earliest known human with Lyme disease.
2010: Confirmed Lyme Disease Cases in the UK
The number of confirmed Lyme disease cases in the UK in 2010 was 953.
2011: Increase in Lyme Disease Cases in the UK
Provisional data for the first three quarters of 2011 indicated a 26% rise in Lyme disease cases compared to the same period in 2010.
2012: Range Expansion of Lyme Disease-Carrying Ticks in Canada
In 2012, research showed the range of ticks carrying Lyme disease in Canada was expanding, driven by warming temperatures. The study predicted an expansion of 46 km per year over the next decade.
July 2017: Fast Track Designation for VLA15 Vaccine Candidate
The VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine candidate received fast track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2017.
April 2020: Pfizer Partners in VLA15 Vaccine Development
In April 2020, Pfizer invested $130 million to acquire the rights to the VLA15 vaccine and is collaborating with Valneva on its development and phase 2 trials.
2022: Phase 3 Trial of VLA15 Vaccine Candidate
A phase 3 trial for the VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine candidate was scheduled to begin in late 2022.
2022: Planned Phase 3 Trial for VLA15 Vaccine
A phase 3 trial for the VLA15 Lyme disease vaccine was scheduled for late 2022, with recruitment taking place in the northeastern United States and Europe.
2022: CDC Updates Lyme Disease Surveillance Case Definition
The CDC updated the surveillance case definition for Lyme disease in 2022, classifying cases as confirmed, probable, and suspect. The number of reported cases and endemic regions continued to increase.
2023: Clinical Trials for Lyme Disease Vaccines
As of 2023, clinical trials for human Lyme disease vaccines are underway, but no vaccine is currently available.
2023: No Available Human Vaccines for Lyme Disease
As of 2023, there are no human vaccines available for Lyme disease.
2080: Projected Increase in Lyme Disease Vector Habitat
A study projected that by 2080, climate change could lead to a 213% increase in suitable habitats for Lyme disease vectors.