Inflammation and central nervous system Lyme disease.
Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, can cause multi-systemic signs and symptoms, including peripheral and central nervous system disease. This review examines the evidence for and mechanisms of inflammation in neurologic Lyme disease, with a specific focus on the central nervous system, drawing upon human studies and controlled research with experimentally infected rhesus monkeys. Directions for future human research are suggested that may help to clarify the role of inflammation as a mediator of the chronic persistent symptoms experienced by some patients despite antibiotic treatment for neurologic Lyme disease.
Fallon
Brian A
BA
Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. baf1@columbia.edu
Levin
Elizabeth S
ES
Schweitzer
Pernilla J
PJ
Hardesty
David
D
D000818:Animals; D020274:Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004679:Encephalomyelitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000502:physiology; D020852:Lyme Neuroborreliosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D017628:Microglia / Q000502:physiology
D016207:Cytokines