ISSN:
1365-2133
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Background The long-term prognosis of patients treated for erythema migrans has only rarely been assessed. Objectives To evaluate the clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis of patients treated for erythema migrans in the region of Alsace, France. Methods In a prospective study, 56 consecutive patients presenting with erythema migrans at the Strasbourg University Hospital between 1995 and 1999 were examined and a Borrelia burgdorferi enzyme immunoassay was performed. Patients were treated with tetracyclines or amoxycillin. Patients were re-examined 6 weeks later and a telephone interview was performed in summer 2000 to evaluate the long-term outcome. Results There were 25 women and 31 men of mean age 49 years presenting with single (n = 54) or multiple (n = 2) erythema migrans lesions. At the time of diagnosis, 30% of the patients had systemic signs, myalgias or arthralgias and only 36% of 50 patients were seroreactive against B. burgdorferi. None of the 51 patients evaluated at 6 weeks and none of the 37 patients interviewed after a median delay of 3 years had developed complications attributable to Lyme borreliosis. Conclusions The prognosis of patients treated for Lyme borreliosis in this part of France is excellent. Therefore, a complete clinical examination is sufficient as an initial evaluation and long-term follow-up is not necessary.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04628.x
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