New Lyme-disease-causing bacteria species discovered

A new report details the discovery of a new species of bacteria that causes Lyme disease in people. Previously, Borrelia burgdorferi was thought to be the only species that caused Lyme disease in North America; however, researchers have found a new species, Borrelia mayonii, that can cause the disease. The report, from CDC with Mayo Clinic and health officials in three states, is published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. Genetic testing determined that the new species is closely related to B. burgdorferi.