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Lyme disease and the peripheral nervous system.
1Department of Neurology, North Shore University Hospital, 300 Community Drive, Manhasset, New York 11030, USA. halperin@nshs.edu
Muscle & Nerve
|July 23, 2003
Summary
Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness from Borrelia burgdorferi, can cause diverse peripheral nerve disorders. Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are effective, though the exact cause of nerve damage is still being researched.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Lyme disease is a multisystem illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a tick-borne spirochete.
- It is known to affect various organ systems, including the nervous system.
Observation:
- Peripheral nerve disorders are a significant manifestation of Lyme disease.
- These include cranial neuropathies, radiculopathies, and polyneuropathies, often presenting as mononeuropathy multiplex.
Findings:
- Diagnosis relies on potential exposure to Ixodes ticks and characteristic clinical or laboratory evidence.
- Antimicrobial therapy demonstrates high effectiveness in treating Lyme disease-associated neuropathies.
Implications:
- The precise mechanisms driving these neuropathies are not fully understood.
- Potential interactions between anti-Borrelia antibodies and peripheral nerve components are under investigation.