Treatment of Lyme borreliosis.

Arthritis Res Ther. 2009;11(6):258. Epub 2009 Dec 17.

Treatment of Lyme borreliosis.

Girschick HJ, Morbach H, Tappe D.

Paediatric Rheumatology, Immunology, Osteology and Infectious
Diseases, Children's Hospital, University of Wuerzburg,
Josef-Schneider-Str, 2, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany.
Hermann.Girschick@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de.

ABSTRACT : Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato is the causative agent
of Lyme borreliosis in humans. This inflammatory disease can
affect the skin, the peripheral and central nervous system, the
musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system and rarely the eyes.
Early stages are directly associated with viable bacteria at the
site of inflammation. The pathogen-host interaction is complex
and has been elucidated only in part. B. burgdorferi is highly
susceptible to antibiotic treatment and the majority of patients
profit from this treatment.

Some patients develop chronic persistent disease despite repeated
antibiotics.
Whether this is a sequel of pathogen persistence or a status of
chronic auto-inflammation, auto-immunity or a form of
fibromyalgia is highly debated.

Since vaccination is not available, prevention of a tick bite or
chemoprophylaxis is important.
If the infection is manifest, then treatment strategies should
target not only the pathogen by using antibiotics but also the
chronic inflammation by using anti-inflammatory drugs.

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PMID: 20067594 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]