First International Symposium on Lyme Dis. Yale University, November 16-18, 1983.

When Lyme disease was described eight years ago, we hoped that someday it would be an established entity, that multiple investigators would be working on the problem, and that we would meet to discuss our work. The First International Symposium on Lyme Disease is a dream come true. Lyme disease has come of age. For this meeting, many of the people who have been interested in and contributed to an understanding of Lyme disease have been brought together for the first time. We come from many different disciplinesrheumatologists, dermatologists, entomologists, epidemiologists, immunologists, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, neurologists, pathologists, public health officials, and practicing physicians in the community. We also come from different parts of the United States and from different countries. Collaboration among this diverse group of investigators has been exceptional. At this symposium, openness, lengthy discussions, and friendship have been much in evidence. With publication of the proceedings, much of the currently available information on Lyme disease is now presented for the reader in one work. We hope that publication of this work and the exchange of ideas which it represents will further promote and enhance studies of Lyme disease.