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Anorexia Nervosa Caused by Polymicrobial Tick-Borne Infections: A Case Study
1Private Practice, Denver, CO, 80224, USA.
International Medical Case Reports Journal
|May 19, 2021
Summary
Tick-borne infections, including Lyme disease, may contribute to anorexia nervosa (AN). Treating these infections resolved AN symptoms in a case study, suggesting a potential link for further research.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Psychiatry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The multifactorial etiology of anorexia nervosa (AN) may involve infectious agents.
- Tick-borne infections are increasingly recognized for their diverse systemic effects.
Observation:
- A case study of an adolescent female with anorexia nervosa (AN) presented with symptoms consistent with systemic infections.
- The patient tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, Babesia microti, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, with clinical signs suggestive of Bartonella infection.
Findings:
- Following antimicrobial treatment for tick-borne infections, the patient's excessive food restriction and body image concerns resolved.
- This suggests a potential causal association between specific tick-borne infections and the development of AN.
Implications:
- Physicians should consider tick-borne infections as a potential underlying factor in patients diagnosed with AN.
- Further research is warranted to explore the role of tick-borne infections in the broader etiology of anorexia nervosa.
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