[Ocular manifestations of Lyme disease]

Med Mal Infect. 2007 Jul-Aug;37(7-8):518-22. doi: 10.1016/j.medmal.2006.01.016. Epub 2007 Mar 21.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Despite the wide spectrum of clinical entities, eye involvement remains a rare event in patients with Lyme borreliosis. Most of ocular manifestations occur during the late phase of the disease. The infection needs to be considered along with more conventional causes of ocular inflammation, particularly in regions where Lyme disease is common. The pathogenesis of this condition remains controversial. Direct ocular infection and a delayed hypersensitivity mechanism may be involved at different disease stages. Uveitis and optic neuritis are the most common ocular complications. Serological testing lacks sensitivity and specificity. In atypical cases, ocular fluids sampling and analysis may be proposed. PCR seems to be an interesting diagnostic tool, allowing genotypic analysis. In the majority of cases, therapeutic strategy should be based on the association of antibiotics and corticosteroids. A new course of antibiotics may be prescribed to patients with chronic or relapsing inflammation due to bacterial persistence in ocular tissues.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Eye Diseases / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Lyme Disease / complications*
  • Lyme Disease / physiopathology
  • Lyme Neuroborreliosis / microbiology
  • Uveitis / microbiology