Relapsing Fever

doi:10.1017/9781009052733.032

Chapter 31 - Relapsing Fever

from Section 5 - Bacterial Infections

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 June 2025

Edited by

Dorothy Yeboah-Manu ,

Michael Marks and

David Mabey: Affiliation:
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Martin W. Weber: Affiliation:
World Health Organization
Moffat Nyirenda: Affiliation:
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Dorothy Yeboah-Manu: Affiliation:
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana
Jackson Orem: Affiliation:
Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala
Laura Benjamin: Affiliation:
University College London
Michael Marks: Affiliation:
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Nicholas A. Feasey: Affiliation:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

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Summary

Relapsing fevers are caused by Borrelia spirochaetes. Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF), which is caused by Borrelia recurrentis and has epidemic potential, is transmitted only between humans by body lice, whereas tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF), classically caused by Borrelia duttoni, is an endemic zoonosis. Though morphologically indistinguishable, genomic comparisons suggest B. recurrentis evolved from B. duttoni, undergoing genome reduction during restriction to the human-louse life cycle (Lescot et al. 2008). Both harbour linear mega-plasmids with a large repertoire of variant lipoproteins, responsible for immune evasion and immunopathogenesis. Despite biological similarities, LBRF and TBRF differ in clinical manifestations and disease control measures.

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Type: Chapter
Information: Principles of Medicine in Africa , pp. 385 - 389

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009052733.032 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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