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Updated: Aug 10, 2026
07:20
Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR
Published on: February 4, 2018
[Atrioventricular heart block in Lyme disease]
M Pasquier1, O Péter, V Frochaux
1Service de cardiologie, Centre hospitalier du Valais central, Site Sion, 1951 Sion.
Revue Medicale Suisse
|March 9, 2006
Summary
Lyme disease, a common tick-borne illness, can rarely cause severe heart block. Prompt antibiotic treatment can reverse this potentially serious cardiac manifestation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Tick-borne Illnesses
Background:
- Lyme disease is a prevalent tick-borne illness in Europe and the US.
- Cardiac manifestations of Lyme disease are uncommon compared to dermatological, neurological, or rheumatological symptoms.
- Atrioventricular (AV) heart block is the most frequent cardiac complication.
Observation:
- This report details a case of high-degree AV heart block attributed to Lyme disease.
- The study focuses on the electrocardiographic changes observed during antibiotic treatment.
- Microbiological and diagnostic findings related to Lyme carditis are also discussed.
Findings:
- Lyme disease can present as a rare cause of significant cardiac conduction disturbances.
- Electrocardiographic monitoring revealed the evolution of heart block during therapy.
- Successful treatment with antibiotics led to the reversal of the conduction abnormality.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering Lyme disease in the differential diagnosis of heart block, even in non-endemic areas.
- Emphasizes that Lyme carditis is a treatable and potentially reversible condition.
- Underscores the need for prompt diagnosis and management of Lyme disease to prevent severe cardiac complications.
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