[Age and symptoms of Lyme disease]

Comparison of clinical symptoms in Lyme disease (LD) in various age groups.

150 patients with verified LD were divided into 4 age groups: under 15 years (group 1), 16-40 years (group 2), 41-60 years (group 3), over 60 years (group 4). Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorteri were detected with indirect immunofluorescence and Western blot.

LD clinical symptoms differed in the age groups. Patients of group 1 had more prevalent infectious syndrome with fever but they had no radiculoneuritis and polyneuritis. Patients of group 2 more frequently suffered of carditis and secondary erythema. Groups 3 and 4 were characterized by infectious syndrome, secondary erythema and aseptic meningitis, joint lesions being more frequent in group 3, nervous system lesions--in group 4.

Age peculiarities of LD symptoms are very important. In particular, joint syndrome is responsible for lingering course of LD.