borrelia

[buh-rel-ee-uh, -rel-yuh, -ree-lee-uh, -reel-yuh]

noun

Bacteriology.

1. any of several spiral, parasitic bacteria of the genus Borrelia, certain species of which are pathogenic for humans, other mammals, or birds.

Word History and Origins

Origin of borrelia¹

< New Latin (1907), named after Amédée Borrel (died 1936); -ia

Example Sentences

The Mayo Clinic defines Lyme disease as an illness “caused by borrelia bacteria” that humans can get if they are bitten by an infected tick.

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The Instagram post also depicted other medical records indicating that multiple types of bacteria spread by parasites — such as borrelia, which causes Lyme disease — have been detected in Hadid’s body since 2014.

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This fits with previous work suggesting infection with B. borrelia makes ticks more active and eager to bite.

Read more on Science Magazine