A Case of Neuroborreliosis Mimicking Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Abstract

Lyme disease is a zoonosis that arises from Borrelia burgdorferi spp belonging to the Spirochaetales family, transmitted by Ixodes-type ticks. In the course of the disease, the heart, skin, nervous and musculoskeletal system may be affected. Central nervous system involvement, defined as neuroborreliosis, may be similar to Guillain- Barré syndrome (GBS), an immune-mediated acute neuropathy. In this article, a case that was followed up in the neurology clinic with GBS due to facial paralysis, muscle weakness and widespread muscle pain was shared. Neuroborreliosis was considered in the differential diagnosis of the patient whose clinical findings did not improve due to the presence of tick contact in history, and the diagnosis was confirmed by clinical and laboratory findings. In this case, it was emphasized that neuroborreliosis should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of the GBS.

Keywords

• lyme
• tick; zoonosis.