Index
- Neurological signs of Lyme borreliosis, what are they?
- Some things to remember about Lyme disease
- Definition
- Cause and risk factors
- Evolution and symptoms
- Neurological damage from Lyme borreliosis
- Post-Lyme disease
- Some things to remember about Lyme disease
Neurological signs of Lyme borreliosis, what are they?
Lyme disease is an infectious disease that occurs primarily in Canada. However, this does not prevent it from occurring in other countries. It is transmitted through tick bites. This pathology can eventually have an impact on various organs. And when left untreated, it can progress and worsen over several years. Treating Lyme borreliosis means taking antibiotics, the dose of which varies according to the intensity of the symptoms. Moreover, these symptoms can manifest themselves at the neurological level. The main neurological signs of Lyme borreliosis will be reviewed in this article.
Some things to remember about Lyme disease
Before looking at the possible neurological manifestations of Lyme borreliosis, it is advisable to make a short reminder about this disease. Indeed, even if it does not cause a lot of ink to flow, it is a disease that is rapidly expanding in Europe.
Definition
Lyme borreliosis is an infectious disease of bacterial origin. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. This disease is widespread throughout the world, and the number of new cases is constantly increasing. In France, 67,000 new cases were recorded in 2018. But rest assured, this is a disease that is perfectly treatable. However, it is preferable to treat it as soon as it is detected. This will avoid certain complications that can be very serious.
Cause and risk factors
The main cause of Lyme disease is the bite of a tick infected with the bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. As you can see, not all ticks are infected with this bacterium. Moreover, it should be noted that some studies have demonstrated the multimicrobial nature of this pathology. In any case, even if other insects can be infected by borrelia, ticks remain the main vector of this infection.
As such, all activities that involve contact with ticks are all risk factors for Lyme disease. People who perform the following professional or relaxation activities are therefore at high risk:
- Farm work
- Breeding
- The hunt
- Walks in the forest
- Ranger work
In addition, living near wooded areas also increases the risk of being bitten by infected ticks. It is necessary to remember that the majority of contaminations in France occur between March and September.
Evolution and symptoms
Lyme disease progresses through three phases. The primary phase is characterized by the appearance of skin lesions called chronic erythema migrans. Headaches, a slight increase in body temperature and fatigue may also occur. The second phase is characterized by joint pain and heart problems. Neurological problems also begin to occur. Finally, the last phase is the late stage of Lyme disease. At this stage, skin damage increases while joint damage remains the same as in the previous phase. Finally, neurological damage may involve the brain and spinal cord.
Neurological damage from Lyme borreliosis
When we talk about Lyme disease, many people immediately think of the skin manifestations of this disease. However, this is only a small part of the iceberg representing the various symptoms of the disease. Indeed, when Lyme borreliosis is not treated properly, it can lead to neurological damage. These are mainly manifested by :
- meningo-radiculitis in 85% of cases. It is an inflammation affecting one or more nerve roots. It is characterized by tingling, pain, and even facial or limb However, the diagnosis is only confirmed after a lumbar puncture. In very rare cases, inflammation of the meninges can cause headaches.
- Facial nerve damage. This is usually manifested by facial paralysis or tingling sensations in the face.
- Cognitive impairment. These are usually caused by neurological impairment. It is manifested by visual problems, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, loss of balance, orientation problems. Sometimes the patient may even become aggressive or depressed.
- Motor impairment. These are due to neuromuscular damage. Thus, the patient may be subject to tremors, cramps or muscle stiffness.
Post-Lyme disease
Lyme disease is treated with antibiotic therapy using intravenous ceftriaxone for 3 weeks. In 90% of cases, this treatment leads to full recovery. For the remaining 10%, some symptoms may persist over time. Some patients even have what scientists call "post-Lyme disease". This is a pathology manifested by chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia pain, memory and attention problems. These manifestations can last for years after the initial infection has cleared up. They are usually due to chronic inflammation of the brain.
