[Clinical aspects of erythema migrans (Lyme) borreliosis]

Erythema migrans or Lyme borreliosis may be classified according to 3 stages. Erythema migrans is the typical initial lesion of the disease, often associated with general symptoms. Carditis, meningitis, musculoskeletal symptoms including arthralgia may develop in stage 2; arthritis (arthralgia), acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA), and encephalomyelitis may occur in stage 3. Borrelial lymphocytoma may be seen either in the early phase of the disease or along with the ACA. However, there is no definite therapeutical concept, so far. We recommend tetracyclines during the first stage, and high doses of penicillin G during stages 2 and 3 as well as for pregnant women.