Lyme disease is an infectious condition caused by the spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted via the bite of Ixodes ticks predominantly found in wooded areas
Aetiology
Lyme disease is precipitated by the transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi via the bite of an infected Ixodes tick
The diverse clinical manifestations of the disease are attributed to the variety of Borrelia species and the host immune response to the infection
Clinical features
Stage 1: localised disease
Lasts several weeks
Tick bite (recalled in approximately 75% of cases)
Flu-like symptoms
Regional lymphadenopathy
Erythema Chronicum Migrans (circular, target-shaped lesion observed in 80% of cases within 30 days)
Borrelia lymphocytoma - blue patch on the earlobe, nipple or scrotum (predominantly seen in children)
Stage 2: early disseminated disease
Lasts from days to months
Continued flu-like symptoms
Neuroborreliosis: facial nerve (single or bilateral) and other cranial nerve palsies, aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, polyradiculitis, and Bannwarth's Syndrome, peripheral mononeuritis
Cardiovascular involvement: myocarditis, heart block and other arrhythmias, pericarditis
