The History of the Discovery and Research of Lyme Borreliosis in Animals and Humans

Abstract

The relevance of this study is conditioned upon the substantial importance of the history of the discovery and research of Lyme borreliosis for medical science and veterinary medicine, since new theories, experiments, conclusions are built on the research of scientists who have proved the existence of this disease in animals and humans, and positive practices are accumulated regarding methods and schemes of treatment and prevention. The purpose of this study was to analyse the literature primary sources covering the history of the discovery, the results of the study of Lyme borreliosis disease to understand the features of its course and search for effective diagnostic and treatment methods. The chronology of the main results confirming the existence of Lyme borreliosis caused by Ixodidae ticks is summarised. Scientific sources covering the history of the discovery and research of Lyme borreliosis were analysed to understand the features of its course and search for effective methods of laboratory diagnostics and treatment. The main projects of the European Union programme aimed at financing research and innovative development “Horizon 2020” were determined. It was found that the projects in the field of Lyme borreliosis research also relate to certain topics, namely the creation of tests for the detection of Lyme disease, the study of the vectors of the causative agents of this disease, the development of an appropriate vaccine, and the assessment of the risks of consequences for human and animal health. It was concluded that the main areas of research are as follows: persistence of diseases and their causative agents transmitted by Ixodidae ticks; natural control of Ixodidae ticks; detection of pathogens in Ixodidae ticks; level of infection of vertebrates; habitats and natural foci of vectors and their hosts; testing and medical trials; effect of magnetic field on Borrelia; genome mapping of Borrelia species, visualisation of the human brain for disease research; research by polymerase chain reaction; endocrine studies; immune complexes, diagnosis of neuropsychiatric complications in children and adults. The practical value of this study lies in the awareness of modern scientists about the chronology of the study of Lyme borreliosis, the main ways of distribution and methods of its diagnosis in animals and humans, determining the prospects for further research according to the topical issues covered in this paper, which are solved within the framework of international projects