Lyme disease

Question 1

features of lyme disease ?

Answer 1

erythema migrans rash (bulls eyes)
fatigue, arthralgia
myocarditis, heart block
facial nerve palsy, meningitis

Question 2

describe how lyme disease is diagnosed.

Answer 2

if erythema migrans presents - start antibiotics without further tests

ELISA antibodies to borellia burgdorferi
- if negative but suspicion still high then repeat ELISA 4-6 weeks after (symptom onset < 4 weeks ago) or do immunoblot test (symptom onset > 12 weeks ago)

• if positive do immunoblot test to confirm lyme disease

Question 3

1st line treatment for lyme disease ?

Answer 3

oral doxycycline

or amoxicillin if contraindicated i.e. pregnancy, children < 12yrs)

Question 4

1st line treatment for disseminated lyme disease ?

Answer 4

ceftriaxone

Question 5

causative organism of lyme disease ?

Answer 5

borellia burgdorferi