Lyme Neuroborreliosis: Clinical Outcomes, Controversy, Pathogenesis, and Polymicrobial Infections

Abstract

Lyme borreliosis is the object of numerous misconceptions. In this review, we revisit the fundamental manifestations of neuroborreliosis (meningitis, cranial neuritis, and radiculoneuritis), as these have withstood the test of time. We also discuss other manifestations that are less frequent. Stroke, as a manifestation of Lyme neuroborreliosis, is considered in the context of other infections. The summary of the literature regarding clinical outcomes of neuroborreliosis leads to its controversies. We also include new information on pathogenesis and on the polymicrobial nature of tick-borne diseases. In this way, we update the review that we wrote in this journal in 1995. ANN NEUROL 2019;85:21-31.

FIGURE 1:

Cultured Borrelia burgdorferi stained with an IgG murine antibody to OspA followed by fluorescein isothiocyanate–labeled goat antimurine Ig; 1 cm = 5 μm.