A 21-year-old man comes to the emergency department with a 3…

Questions

A 21-yeаr-оld mаn cоmes tо the emergency depаrtment with a 3-day history of fever and severe headache. History reveals recent travel to North Carolina and the patient admits to removing a tick attached to his leg the day before coming to the hospital. Physical exam reveals an oral temperature of 104.2 °F (40.1 °C). Skin exam shows a faint diffuse maculopapular rash with petechiae on the soles and palms. Unfortunately, on the third day in the hospital the patient died of vascular collapse and renal failure. At autopsy, intracellular bacteria were noted in the skin, muscle, kidneys and lungs. Which of the following bacteria infections did the patient contract?