[Results of a prospective standardized study of 30 patients with chronic neurological and cognitive disorders after tick bites]

Med Mal Infect. 2008 Oct;38(10):543-8. doi: 10.1016/j.medmal.2008.06.007.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Objective: Patients with chronic neurological disorders and cognitive impairment after tick bites are difficult to manage despite standard antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease. We wanted to correctly assess the disorders.

Methods: Thirty patients were hospitalized for a standardized evaluation of their disorders: clinical examination, biological and serological studies, cerebral MRI, CSF study, neurophysiological exams, and neuropsychological evaluation of cognitive functions.

Results: Clinical and biological results were non informative. We observed significant CSF abnormalities (64%), MRI Flair pictures (41%), neurophysiological exams (47%), and cognitive evaluation (100%).

Conclusions: A large and standardized evaluation should be made for each patient to improve the management and probably the treatment of these complex chronic symptoms observed after tick bites.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arachnid Vectors* / microbiology
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / epidemiology
  • Autoimmune Diseases of the Nervous System / etiology
  • Bites and Stings / complications*
  • Bites and Stings / epidemiology
  • Bites and Stings / microbiology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins / analysis
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Electroencephalography
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Lyme Neuroborreliosis / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Lyme Neuroborreliosis / diagnosis
  • Lyme Neuroborreliosis / drug therapy
  • Lyme Neuroborreliosis / epidemiology*
  • Lyme Neuroborreliosis / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Prospective Studies
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Ticks* / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins