Borrelia crocidurae Meningoencephalitis, West Africa

Abstract

Borrelia crocidurae–associated relapsing fever is endemic to West Africa and is considered benign. We report 4 patients with B. crocidurae–associated neurologic symptoms; 2 of their cases had been misdiagnosed. Frequency and severity of this disease could be underestimated; molecular methods and serodiagnostic tests for Lyme disease might be helpful in its detection.

Keywords

• Borrelia crocidurae
• meningitis
• encephalitis
• molecular diagnosis
• West Africa
• Borrelia meningitis