Lyme disease is due to Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete, which is a type of bacteria transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected deer tick. Lyme disease can cause a number of symptoms. If undiagnosed, it can result in recurring symptoms that are very frustrating and disturbing to the patient. Sometimes patients attend support groups to cope with their disabilities.
Arthritis
Months after infection, Lyme disease causes arthritis in approximately 70 percent of patients who are untreated, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." Ten percent of untreated patients develop destruction in large joints, especially one or both knees.
Lyme disease usually responds to two months of oral and/or one month of intravenous antibiotics. A small percentage of patients after apparent eradication of the organism continue to have arthritic symptoms for months to years. These patients respond to anti-inflammatory drugs, according to The Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics, or to a surgery to clean out the knee joint called a synovectomy.
Chronic Lyme Disease
Chronic Lyme disease, according to "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," occurs in a small percentage of patients after Lyme disease has been treated. Symptoms include muscle pain, difficulty thinking and fatigue. These patients' symptoms do not improve after prolonged courses of antibiotics. This disease is similar to chronic fatigue syndrome.
Chronic Neurologic Involvement
Lyme disease can rarely cause chronic neurological involvement months or years after infection. Most commonly, memory is impaired and mood or sleep affected. Intravenous antibiotics for two to three weeks are used to treat this condition.
Third Degree Heart Block
Lyme disease can cause conduction abnormalities of the heart, including third degree heart block, a serious condition. Intravenous antibiotics are used to treat this condition. A temporary pacemaker is not needed.
Chronic Dermatitis
Chronic dermatitis can occur in Lyme disease as a late skin manifestation. It has been seen on the legs and arms of elderly women in Europe and Asia, according to "Harrisons Principles of Internal Medicine."
References
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine;" Dennis Kasper, M.D.; 2005
- The Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics; Gopa Green, M.D; 2004.
