title: Borrelia burgdorferi, a great chameleon: know it to recognize it!
abstract: Borrelia burgdorferi is a spirochaete that can penetrate the blood-brain barrier in early infection and can cause endothelial damage other than central nervous system lesions. We describe a clinical case of neuroborreliosis that occurred in the absence of classical erythema migrans or arthralgia. Magnetic resonance imaging findings compatible with simil-vasculitis and demyelinating lesions associated with the presence of anti-B. burgdorferi antibodies in the plasma or cerebrospinal liquid is an indication for antimicrobial treatment against B. burgdorferi. An early diagnosis and a prompt establishment of an adequate antibiotic treatment is needed for a successful recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. iolanda.santino@uniroma1.it
authors.forename: Iolanda
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Santino
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Comite
authors.forename: Giuseppe Maria
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Gandolfo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020852:Lyme Neuroborreliosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome