Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR
07:20

Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR

Published on: February 4, 2018

[Acute transverse myelitis and Lyme borreliosis: a case report]

J Gaudichon1, W Sakr, S Becher

  • 1Service de pédiatrie médicale, centre hospitalier Jacques-Monod, rue Eugène-Garnier, BP 219, 61104 Flers cedex, France. jeremiegaudichon@gmail.com

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|May 1, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness, can cause acute myelitis, a rare neurological complication. This case highlights the importance of considering Lyme disease in children with unexplained neurological symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia spirochetes, is increasing globally.
  • Tick-borne Ixodes species are the primary vectors.
  • Clinical presentations are diverse, affecting multiple organs.

Observation:

  • Neurological manifestations, including peripheral facial palsy and acute myelitis, are significant.
  • This report details a 16-year-old with Lyme-induced acute myelitis and meningeal involvement.
  • The patient exhibited atypical symptoms: rapid weight loss and vomiting.

Findings:

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed localized spinal cord edema and leptomeningeal enhancement.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed lymphocytic pleocytosis.
  • Positive Lyme serology was confirmed in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid.

Implications:

  • Acute myelitis is an exceptional but serious neuroborreliosis manifestation.
  • Early consideration of Lyme disease is crucial for pediatric patients with unexplained neurological symptoms.
  • This case underscores the diagnostic challenge of atypical Lyme disease presentations.

More Related Videos

Simultaneous Detection of Different Antibody Classes in a Multiplexed Serological Test05:25

Simultaneous Detection of Different Antibody Classes in a Multiplexed Serological Test

Published on: July 14, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...