Lyme in the central nervous system
By Linda on Mar 9, 2011 in Infections | comments(0)
Excerpt:
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.
