Willy Burgdorfer

Portrait of Dr Willy Burgdorfer

Willy Burgdorfer (June 27, 1925 – November 17, 2014) was a prominent Swiss-American bacteriologist known for his discovery of the Lyme disease spirochete, which was later named Borrelia burgdorferi in his honor. His groundbreaking work has had a profound impact on the study of tick-borne diseases, leading to significant advancements in both diagnosis and treatment.

Early Life and Education

Willy Burgdorfer was born in Basel, Switzerland, and developed an interest in nature and entomology at a young age. He pursued his passion by studying zoology, parasitology, and bacteriology at the University of Basel, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1951. His doctoral research focused on the study of rickettsia, a group of bacteria that, like the Lyme disease spirochete, are often transmitted by ticks and other arthropods.

Career

After completing his education, Burgdorfer moved to the United States in 1951, where he began working as a research scientist at the Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana, a facility operated by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). His early work in the U.S. continued to focus on rickettsiae and their role in diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

The most significant breakthrough of Burgdorfer's career came in 1982 when, during research into the causes of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, he discovered the spirochetes that cause Lyme disease in a tick from Long Island, New York. This discovery was pivotal, as it identified the bacterial pathogen responsible for the disease, leading to the development of new diagnostic tests and treatments.

Legacy

Willy Burgdorfer's discovery of Borrelia burgdorferi has had a lasting impact on the field of infectious diseases. His work has not only advanced our understanding of Lyme disease but also highlighted the importance of studying the complex interactions between ticks, pathogens, and human hosts. In recognition of his contributions, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease was named after him, and he received numerous awards and honors throughout his career.

Burgdorfer authored and co-authored over 225 scientific publications and was a member of several prestigious scientific organizations. His work has inspired generations of researchers to continue exploring the mysteries of tick-borne diseases.

Death

Willy Burgdorfer passed away on November 17, 2014, at the age of 89. His legacy continues through the ongoing research and advancements in the field of tick-borne diseases, a testament to his life's work and dedication to science.

See Also

• Lyme disease
• Borrelia burgdorferi
• Tick-borne disease
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever