Lyme Borreliosis

Overview

Lyme borreliosis is a systemic infectious disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato transmitted by certain ticks of the genus Ixodes. Clinical spectrum of the disease includes mainly cutaneous (erythema migrans, lymphocytoma borreliensis, acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans), nervous, cardiovascular and locomotor systems. The diagnostics is based on direct and indirect proof of Borrelia infection. Indirect tests must correlate with the clinical manifestation, as to a high positivity of borrelial antibodies in health people, and negativity of borrelial antibodies during advanced infection. The antibiotic therapy is chosen according to the stage of the disease and the involved organ, as well. Therapy can fail as cystic forms of Borrelia burgdorferi or autoimmune reaction can develop. Some other bacteriae, namely Anaplasma phagocytophilum, can take part in the cutaneous manifestation of Lyme borreliosis. The etiopathological relationship of Borreliae to other dermatoses (morphoea, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus), and to their possible terratogenic effect on the fetus are still under discussion.

Key words:
lyme borreliosis – Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato – Ixodes ricinus – erythema migrans – borrelial lymphocytoma – acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans – diagnostics – therapy