Does Lyme disease affect the brain?
In their article entitled
Common Neurologic Features of Lyme Disease That May Present to a Rheumatologist,
Govil et al. describe the various ways that Lyme disease can affect the brain. The authors hope to make rheumatologists aware of the most common neurologic presentations of Lyme disease.1
The authors emphasize the importance of taking a thorough patient history when evaluating individuals with joint pain and not relying solely on the presence of an erythema migrans (EM) rash.
“…because skin lesions related to Lyme disease occur at the onset of the disease, and the main symptoms of arthralgias occur later, it is not likely that the rheumatologist would see them when the patient first presents.” Instead, neurologic symptoms are more likely to be present.
When Lyme disease affects the brain it can lead to several
Lyme disease symptoms, including neurologic complications such as facial nerve palsy, the most common neurologic presentation according to Govil.
The authors cited a Canadian study involving 475 patients with late-stage Lyme disease.2 Only 35 (7.4%) manifested true arthritis, while 440 (92.6%) had arthralgias.
Neurologic manifestations of Lyme disease were more common and were present in 259 (54.5%) patients. “Thus, common extracutaneous manifestations are now found to be neurologic,” Govil writes.
Common neurologic features of early disseminated Lyme disease
- Cranial nerve VII palsy (rarely other cranial nerves are involved)
- Aseptic meningitis syndrome
- Acute painful radiculoneuritis
Less common neurologic manifestations
- Cerebrovascular complications including vasculitis
- Encephalomyelitis
- Intracranial hypertension syndromes (particularly in adolescents)
Early disseminated Lyme disease can also affect the brain and present with lymphocytic or mononuclear meningitis, which may be indistinguishable from viral meningitis, along with acute painful radiculoneuritis.
READ:
How Lyme disease can affect the brain (6 cases)
Neurologic features of late-stage Lyme disease
The most common neurologic features of late-stage Lyme disease include subtle encephalopathy and neuropathies.
Govil also described rare encephalomyelitis, which is seen more commonly in Europe.
“A mild chronic encephalopathy may be the most common neurologic manifestation in patients with late-stage Lyme disease.”
“The symptoms tend to be diffuse and nonspecific, and patients typically report memory loss, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and depression.”
Whether such neurologic symptoms are due to persistent infection or result from a systemic mechanism remains unknown, according to the authors.
The role of rheumatologists in identifying neurologic Lyme disease
Rheumatologists are in an excellent position, writes Govil, to identify patients who may have been missed at the earliest stage of Lyme disease but are now exhibiting rheumatologic and/or neurologic symptoms.
“Preparedness can maximize favorable outcomes for these patients.”
“It can be difficult to diagnose a patient with neurologic Lyme disease. Therefore, it is important for a rheumatologist to initially gather a carefully elicited history from the patient.”
Authors conclude
“When examining a patient with possible endemic area exposure to B. burgdorferi with rheumatologic complaints, it is important to consider Lyme disease and particularly neurologic Lyme disease as a possible diagnosis.”
When suspecting Lyme disease, keep in mind:
- Arthralgias are more common than arthritis
- Neurologic manifestations are more frequent than arthritis
- Skin lesions often do not have the classic bull’s-eye appearance
- Neurologic involvement in Lyme disease is common
- Early identification and timely treatment are important
Related Articles:
Chronic neurological Lyme disease or co-morbid conditions
Fatal case of neuroborreliosis
At least 50% of patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis remain ill years after treatment
References:
- Govil S, Capitle E, Lacqua A, Khianey R, Coyle PK, Schutzer SE. Common Neurologic Features of Lyme Disease That May Present to a Rheumatologist. Pathogens. Apr 9 2023;12(4). doi:10.3390/pathogens12040576
- Johnson KO, Nelder MP, Russell C, et al. Clinical manifestations of reported Lyme disease cases in Ontario, Canada: 2005–2014. PLoS One. 2018;13(6):e0198509. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0198509
So informative, but where do I find someont that can treat me? I have been 2+ years on abx on and off, tests only show babesia WA1.
My facial nerves are somewhat effected, weaker left side of mouth, but not enough for a doctor to say cranial nerve involvment, neck pain & head pain, and wide spread nerve pain also, but nothing showing on NCS or EMG.
Is there a simple approach or is it years of trial and error?
I advise my patients to continue followup with other specialists for other potential conditions. I also have patients who have to change doctors to get a fresh perspective.
I wish you would elaborate.
My granddaughter was diagnosed with Cat Scratch Fever – Bartonella henselae. She has the stretch mark looking legions on her skin. She is also suffering with sleep issues, anxiety, social anxiety, OCD, etc. She has been out of school for a year. She has been on Clarithromycin and Rafampin for 3 months with 1 month still to go. She is seeing a cognitive behavioral therapist once a week. She just got blood work done and it was positive for B duncani. They have put her on Minocycline in addition to the other two. They are recommending IVIG in one month if things don’t improve. The therapist is recommending neurobiofeedback. Are we doing the right thing? If she does the IVIG will all of her neurologic symptoms magically go away? I sure would appreciate any help and advice you have.
I advise my patients to look beyond Bartonella if they suspect a tick-borne infection. For example, I would have considered Babesia. I don’t see any mention of treatment for Babesia. I would typically advised treatment for Babesia before beginning IVIG.