[Erythema chronicum migrans with arthritis (author's transl)]

Abstract

In a 46-year-old woman arthritis developed in several large joints eight weeks after the onset of erythema chronicum migrans. The joints of the leg were swollen and painful. In addition there was painful involvement bilaterally of knee, hip and elbow joints. Circulating immune complexes were demonstrated in serum and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate was moderately increased. All other laboratory and radiological tests were within normal limits. On symptomatic treatment the arthritis regressed without sequelae within six weeks. The disease is nosologically related to Lyme disease recently described in the North East of the U.S.A. in which erythema chronicum migrans is followed by arthritis; here, too, circulating immune complexes have been demonstrated.