Tick-borne relapsing fever

Definition

Tick-borne relapsing fever is due to the sporadic transmission of one of a number of Borrelia species by soft ticks of the genus Ornithodorus to a human host. Tick-borne relapsing fever is found primarily in Africa and Asia. It produces a clinical picture similar to but less severe than that seen in louse-borne relapsing fever. It is characterized by episodes of high fever with severe systemic upset.

Inclusions

• Relapsing fever due to any Borrelia species other than Borrelia recurrentis

Index Terms