Borrelia Burgdorferi -

Unlike almost all other life forms, this bacterium does not need iron to survive. Instead, it uses manganese, allowing it to bypass the body's natural defense of "starving" invaders of iron. 3. Symptoms to Watch For

The bacterium lives in the midgut of certain ticks—primarily the (deer tick) in the Northeast and Midwest, and the western blacklegged tick on the Pacific Coast. borrelia burgdorferi

If left untreated, the infection can move through different stages: Borrelia Burgdorferi - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH Unlike almost all other life forms, this bacterium

Its spiral shape allows it to "drill" through dense tissues, like cartilage and nerves, where other bacteria might get stuck. Symptoms to Watch For The bacterium lives in

Borrelia burgdorferi has evolved several survival tactics that make it a formidable opponent for the immune system:

When an infected tick latches on to feed, the bacteria migrate from its gut to its salivary glands and then into your bloodstream.

Most humans are infected by nymphs —immature ticks about the size of a poppy seed, which are incredibly difficult to spot. 2. A "Smart" Bacterium