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- Title
CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTSWITH LYME NEUROBORRELIOSIS IN CENTRAL ROMANIA.
- Authors
ŢILEA, BRÎNDUŞA; GÂRBOVAN, CRISTINA; ŢILEA, IOAN
- Abstract
Background: Lyme neuroborreliosis is a manifestation of Lyme borreliosis involving the central nervous system and/or peripheral nervous system following an infection with Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes, with a reported incidence of 10-25%. The objective of our study was to evaluate the involvement of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system and the associated lesions in the infection with Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes, so as to better understand the disease transmission and incidence. Material and method: This retrospective study included 50 consecutive patients admitted between October 1, 2009, and October 1, 2012. Patients' inclusion criteria were based on the recommendations established by the US Centres for Disease Control (Atlanta, Georgia, USA) and the European Concerted Action on Lyme Borreliosis (EUCALB). Minor and adult patients were evaluated epidemiologically, clinically, and serologically. Computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging were used to further evaluate the patients, and we monitored their treatment and evolution following infection. Results: Almost all (97%) of the included patients were diagnosed with early stage Lyme neuroborreliosis, and 3% with late Lyme neuroborreliosis. Acute lymphocytic meningitis was diagnosed in 86% of the patients and acute encephalitis in 72%; facial nerve lesions were identified in 38% of cases, peripheral nervous system lesions in 24%, and brainstem lesions in 12% of the patients. Serological examinations showed the presence of IgM and IgG antiBb antibodies in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of the patients, confirming the diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis. Conclusions: The presence of Lyme borreliosis in our geographic area is confirmed, with an increasing incidence in the recent years, due to the emergence of more vectorial agents, especially ticks from the Ixodes ricinus genus. The evolution of the disease was favourable for patients with early Lyme neuroborreliosis. Those patients with late Lyme neuroborreliosis experienced slow clinical evolution as well as relapses of the disease.
- Subjects
RELAPSING fever; PERIPHERAL neuropathy; MAGNETIC resonance imaging; TISSUE wounds; CEREBROSPINAL fluid
- Publication
Acta Medica Transilvanica, 2013, Vol 18, Issue 3, p263
- ISSN
1453-1968
- Publication type
Article