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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

Borrelia infection in children

A S Naglo1, K Wide

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Karolinska Institute, Sachs Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Acta Paediatrica Scandinavica
|November 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated Borrelia infection in children presenting with facial palsy or meningitis. A significant number of patients showed elevated Borrelia antibodies, indicating tick-borne illness is a concern.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Neuroimmunology
  • Tick-Borne Illnesses

Background:

  • Children presenting with facial palsy, meningitis, or tick bite history were evaluated for Borrelia infection.
  • The study focused on a pediatric population in an area with high incidence of tick-borne Borrelia infections.

Observation:

  • Antibodies to Borrelia were investigated in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of 33 children.
  • Elevated antibody titers were detected in 15 patients, with three cases showing antibodies only in cerebrospinal fluid.

Findings:

  • Eight of the 15 positive cases had facial palsy, six concurrently with meningitis.
  • Two cases of erythema chronicum migrans, a hallmark of Borrelia infection, were treated with oral penicillin.
  • Borrelia infections were observed year-round, peaking in August.

Implications:

  • Highlights the importance of considering Borrelia infection in pediatric cases of facial palsy and meningitis.
  • Suggests cerebrospinal fluid analysis is crucial for diagnosing Borrelia infection when serum antibodies are absent.
  • Emphasizes the diverse clinical presentations of Borrelia infection in children, necessitating broad diagnostic awareness.

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