Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg have discovered a new tick-borne infectious disease. Only eight cases have been found around the world so far - three of them in the Gothenburg area.
The infection can cause blood clots in the legs and lungs of people with weak immune systems. The infection is successfully treated with antibiotics, but the blood clots can be fatal.
The researchers do not yet know how common the infection is.
- We were the first to discover this infection in a patient in 2009, says chief physician and professor of microbiology Christine Wennerås to SR.
It is not known how the infection affects healthy people. The researchers believe the symptoms are much milder, but they do not know for sure at this stage. It is believed every tenth tick carries the infection.
