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

J D Arroja, A-A Fassa, M Zimmermann

    Revue Medicale Suisse
    |May 1, 2015
    PubMed

    Insights

    Untreated Lyme disease can cause Lyme carditis, affecting up to 10% of patients with heart issues ranging from mild disturbances to severe heart failure. Early suspicion is key, even without a tick bite history, for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Medical Case Reports

    Background:

    • Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness, can manifest cardiac complications in up to 10% of infected individuals.
    • Cardiac involvement in Lyme disease (Lyme carditis) presents a spectrum of clinical severity, from asymptomatic conduction abnormalities to life-threatening arrhythmias and heart failure.

    Observation:

    • A history of tick bite or Erythema migrans is often absent in patients with Lyme carditis, complicating early diagnosis.
    • Cardiac symptoms necessitate a high index of suspicion in patients from endemic areas with potential Lyme disease exposure.

    Findings:

    • This report details a case of Lyme carditis presenting with varying degrees of atrioventricular block.
    • A review of existing literature on Lyme carditis is included to provide further context.

    Implications:

    • Clinicians should maintain a low threshold for suspecting Lyme carditis in at-risk populations, irrespective of classic exposure markers.
    • Prompt recognition and management of Lyme carditis are crucial to prevent severe cardiac sequelae and improve patient outcomes.

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