[Erythema migrans disease. 3 case examples with neurologic complications]

Abstract

The erythema-migrans-disease is closely related to Lyme-disease as described in the USA, and represents a tickborne spirochetosis with highest incidence during summer and autumn. Besides nonspecific general symptoms in its earlier stages, it is characterized by a distinctive erythema migrans; later, additional neurological, cardiac and/or arthritic symptoms may develope. Its typical neurologic complication, the lymphocytic meningoradiculitis Garin-Bujadoux-Bannwarth, was observed in three children whose clinical features illustrate the great variability of symptoms of Erythema-migrans-disease. Serological tests for specific spirochete antibodies are valuable aids in differential diagnosis, especially for cases with late complications if a tick bite is not remembered, or as is not uncommon, the typical skin lesion has not occurred, or has not been noted. Antibiotic therapy with penicillin or tetracycline is a successful treatment of the earlier stages of the disease and can prevent, or at least ameliorate, subsequent complications.