Nervous system Lyme disease

J R Coll Physicians Edinb. 2010 Sep;40(3):248-55. doi: 10.4997/JRCPE.2010.314.

Abstract

Lyme disease, the multi-system infection caused by the tick-borne spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi, can involve the nervous system, most commonly causing, alone or in combination, lymphocytic meningitis or abnormalities of cranial or peripheral nerves, the latter most typically presenting as a painful radicular syndrome. Diagnosis is based on appropriately used, standard serological tests; in instances where the central nervous system is involved, cerebrospinal fluid assessment for organism-specific antibodies can be useful. Treatment with any of several standard regimens of oral or parenteral antimicrobials is highly effective. Prolonged treatment beyond four weeks is rarely if ever warranted, and carries significant risk.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Humans
  • Lyme Neuroborreliosis / diagnosis*
  • Lyme Neuroborreliosis / drug therapy
  • Lyme Neuroborreliosis / physiopathology
  • Meningitis / drug therapy
  • Meningitis / microbiology
  • Meningitis / physiopathology
  • Radiculopathy / drug therapy
  • Radiculopathy / microbiology
  • Radiculopathy / physiopathology
  • Serologic Tests

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents