National Science Centre grant for Dr. Renata Welc-Falęciak to develop a method for differentiating a new form of Lyme disease

13 08 2025

Dr. Renata Welc-Falęciak from the Faculty of Biology at the University of Warsaw has received a grant from the National Science Centre (NCN) under the OPUS 28 competition for the project entitled “Identification of novel antigens of Borrelia miyamotoi and their importance in the differential diagnosis of Lyme disease and relapsing fevers.”

Lyme disease is the most commonly diagnosed tick-borne disease in Europe, with more than 85,000 cases reported annually. At least five Borrelia species are known to infect humans, each typically associated with distinct clinical symptoms.

In recent years, a new species—Borrelia miyamotoi—has been identified in Europe as a causative agent of tick-borne relapsing fever. Because both pathogens share the same vector, the common tick (Ixodes ricinus), infections caused by B. miyamotoi often overlap geographically with Lyme disease and present with similar, nonspecific symptoms, complicating diagnosis.

The aim of the project is to identify novel markers specific to B. miyamotoi that could be applied in future diagnostic tests. If successful, the research will improve diagnostic specificity and minimize cross-reactivity with other Borrelia species.

In the photo, a common tick (Ixodes ricinus).