A Case Series on NeuroborreliosisAn Emerging Infection in India

Abstract

Lyme disease is a zoonotic disease spread by the bite of Ixodes ticks. These ticks are known to be found in wooded or grassy areas. The disease manifestations can be divided into early Lyme disease and late Lyme disease. The manifestations of late Lyme disease may include arthritis, cranial nerve palsies, short-term memory deficits and Lyme carditis. The disease is diagnosed by a two-step process of Enzyme immunoassay followed by Western blot Test. Disseminated disease is treated with Intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone, cefotaxime or penicillin G, or a combination of oral and IV regimens or in some cases, only oral drugs for up to 28 days. Lyme disease is endemic in temperate regions, especially in America. However, over the years the disease has been reported from various countries of Asia including in India, where there have been sporadic cases. Hereby, the author presents three paediatric cases with varied presentations. The neurological symptoms ranged from Lower Motor Neuron (LMN) facial nerve palsy to acute encephalitis. One patient also had non-erosive arthritis.

Keywords

• borrelia
• ixodes
• lyme disease
• zoonosis