Lyme disease in children

Yearly Occurrence and Seasonality of Neuro-ophthalmic Manifestations of Pediatric Lyme Disease

PURPOSE

To review the neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of Lyme disease at a central Ohio pediatric tertiary care center.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed as having Lyme disease from September 2015 to September 2020 was completed. Demographic information, diagnosis dates, and manifestations of Lyme disease were recorded. Patients were excluded for age older than 18 years or lack of corroborated Lyme disease diagnosis. Descriptive statistics were performed.

RESULTS

Of the 212 cases of pediatric Lyme disease reviewed, 50 patients had neuroborreliosis. The data showed an increase in Lyme disease and neuroborreliosis cases from 2018 to 2020, with a preponderance of diagnoses in the summer months. Twenty-four patients had meningitis, and 6 of these patients (25%) were diagnosed as having bilateral optic disc edema that was clinically consistent with intracranial hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Papilledema in the setting of Lyme meningitis may be more common than previously reported in central Ohio. If Lyme disease meningitis is suspected, an opening pressure should be recorded at the time of lumbar puncture and, if elevated, an ophthalmologic evaluation for optic nerve edema is indicated. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2024;61(3):179-182.].

Lyme borreliosis in pediatric population: Clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features

INTRODUCTION

Lyme borreliosis (LB) in the paediatric population is an understudied entity with certain peculiarities. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of paediatric patients with LB, and their diagnostic and therapeutic processes.

METHODS

Descriptive and retrospective study in patients up to 14 years old with suspected or confirmed LB between 2015 and 2021.

RESULTS

A total of 21 patients were studied: 18 with confirmed LB (50% women; median age 6.4 years old) and 3 false positive of the serology. Clinical features in the 18 patients with LB were: neurological (3, neck stiffness; 6, facial nerve palsy), dermatological (6, erythema migratory), articular (1), and non-specific manifestations (5). Serological diagnosis was confirmatory in 83.3% of cases. A total of 94.4% patients received antimicrobial treatment (median duration, 21 days). All recovered with resolution of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

LB diagnosis is difficult in the paediatric population and presents clinical and therapeutic peculiarities, with favourable prognosis.

Pediatric Lyme disease: systematic assessment of post-treatment symptoms and quality of life

BACKGROUND

Lyme disease is common among children and adolescents. Antibiotic treatment is effective, yet some patients report persistent symptoms following treatment, with or without functional impairment. This study characterized long-term outcome of pediatric patients with Lyme disease and evaluated the case definition of post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) syndrome.

METHODS

The sample included 102 children with confirmed Lyme disease diagnosed 6 months-10 years prior to enrollment (M = 2.0 years). Lyme diagnosis and treatment information was extracted from the electronic health record; parent report identified presence, duration, and impact of symptoms after treatment. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing health-related quality of life, physical mobility, fatigue, pain, and cognitive impact.

RESULTS

Most parents reported their child's symptoms resolved completely, although time to full resolution varied. Twenty-two parents (22%) indicated their child had at least one persistent symptom >6 months post-treatment, 13 without functional impairment (PTLD symptoms) and 9 with functional impairment (PTLD syndrome). Children with PTLD syndrome had lower parent-reported Physical Summary scores and greater likelihood of elevated fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS

In the current study, most children with Lyme disease experienced full resolution of symptoms, including those who initially met PTLD syndrome criteria. Effective communication about recovery rates and common symptoms that may persist post-treatment is needed.

IMPACT

The majority of pediatric patients treated for all stages of Lyme disease reported full resolution of symptoms within 6 months. 22% of pediatric patients reported one or more symptom persisting >6 months, 9% with and 13% without accompanying functional impairment. Effective communication with families about recovery rates and common symptoms that may persist post-treatment of Lyme disease is needed.

Lyme Disease Knowledge, Practices, and Vaccine Acceptability Among Nurse Practitioners in Pediatric Practice

INTRODUCTION

Lyme disease (LD) is a major public health problem in the United States. Given its incidence and geographic expansion, nurse practitioners (NPs) will likely encounter patients with this condition.

METHOD

NPs were invited to participate in an electronic survey via email, newsletter, and social media posts. The 31-question survey collected information on provider characteristics, clinical scenario decisions, resources used, and vaccine sentiment for LD.

RESULTS

Survey participants (n = 606) were primarily cisgender female (75%) and aged 30-49 years (62%). Responding to six hypothetical clinical scenarios, only 31% of participants answered most questions correctly. If an LD vaccine becomes available, 39% said they would incorporate it into practice; 48% would seek further information before deciding.

DISCUSSION

Additional education on LD prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is needed for NPs. Increasing provider awareness of current guidelines and developing tailored resources for NPs may improve patient care.

The Importance of Differentiating Oligoarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis From Lyme Arthritis in Pediatric Patients

Objective This study aims to compare clinical and laboratory features between Lyme arthritis (LA) and oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (oligoarticular JIA) by examining several potential predictors in pediatric patients. This study also aims to improve and increase awareness of ways to detect LA and oligoarticular JIA in pediatric patients who present with clinical features of joint pain. Methods A medical chart review was conducted among pediatric patients diagnosed with LA or oligoarticular JIA at John R. Oishei Children's Hospital of Buffalo between January 2014 and September 2018. Patients' diagnoses were identified using the International Classification of Disease 10th Revision code for LA (ICD 10 code A69.23) and oligoarticular JIA (ICD 10 code M08.40). Patients with LA were only included in this study if they (1) exhibited arthritis, (2) tested positive for Lyme antibodies, (3) indicated a positive western blot (WB) of five or more out of 10 Borrelia burgdorferi proteins by IgG antibodies or at least two of three B. burgdorferi proteins by IgM antibodies, and (4) at the age of 16 or below at the time of diagnosis. Patients with oligoarticular JIA were included in this study if they (1) exhibited arthritis affecting one to four joints for at least six weeks in the first six months of diagnosis and (2) are at the age of 16 or below at the time of diagnosis after ruling out LA and reactive arthritis. In this study, clinical presentations, physical exam findings during initial healthcare visits, and demographics including age, sex, and race of patients were obtained. In addition, laboratory results including white blood cells (WBCs), hemoglobin (Hgb), platelet count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) level, Lyme antibodies through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and WB, synovial fluid analysis for red blood cells (RBCs), nucleated cells, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for B. burgdorferi DNA were also collected and analyzed. Results In our data, ESR and CRP were significantly higher in LA compared to oligoarticular JIA (P=0.0053 and 0.0005, respectively). The mean WBC in the synovial joint fluid was significantly higher in LA compared to oligoarticular JIA (P=0.002). Conclusion LA shares features with oligoarticular JIA. This overlap prevents the creation of a clinically useful predictive model for LA. Therefore, Lyme testing should be performed on all patients presenting with monoarticular and oligoarticular arthritis. In addition, ESR, CRP, and WBC in the synovial joint fluid were significantly higher in LA compared to oligoarticular JIA in our findings. While this difference is not definitive by any means, it may help distinguish between the two in cases where the diagnosis is not clear-cut, and the values of ESR, CRP, and WBC in the joint aspirate may help guide clinical judgment in cases that lack a definitive diagnosis.

Fever and Knee Effusion in the Pediatric Patient

ABSTRACT

The pediatric patient with fever and knee effusion is always a cause for clinical concern. A thorough history and physical examination is required to guide appropriate diagnostic evaluation and management. Although pediatric knee effusions are common in the setting of trauma, the presence of fever should prompt consideration of infectious, rheumatologic, vasculitic, and malignant etiologies. This review covers the key components of the history, physical examination, diagnostic strategies, common etiologies, and initial management of the pediatric patient with fever and knee effusion.

Pediatric Headache Attributed to Infection

Pediatric headaches attributed to infection are typically related to non-life threatening illnesses such as upper respiratory tract infections and rhinosinusitis. Although less common, secondary headaches related to life threatening infections are most frequently associated with meningitis. This review provides an overview of the International Classification of Headache Disorders third edition (ICHD-3) categories of infections contributing to secondary headache, describes clinical presentation, and presents a focused review on relevant diagnoses associated with this headache type. An understanding of headache attributed to infection will provide the foundation on distinguishing secondary headaches from various etiological infectious disorders.

Bannwarth Syndrome: A Rare Manifestation of Pediatric Lyme Neuroborreliosis

Lymphocytic meningoradiculitis (Bannwarth syndrome) is a rare manifestation of Lyme neuroborreliosis in children. It is the most common clinical manifestation of early Lyme neuroborreliosis in adults in European countries where the disease is endemic but is rare in children. We report an imported case of Bannwarth syndrome in a pediatric patient and review the literature for other pediatric cases reported.

Posttreatment Lyme Disease Syndrome-What It Might Be and What It Is Not

Lyme disease is a multisystem disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi infection and accounts for well-defined manifestations, appearing either at an early or late stage. Appropriate antibiotic therapy generally leads to a favorable outcome. Still, unspecific persisting symptoms such as fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia or cognitive dysfunction are reported by several patients months to years after adequate treatment. Their underlying pathophysiologic mechanism is unclear. However, there is no evidence for microbiological persistence in these cases and attempts to resolve the symptoms by repeated or prolonged antibiotic treatment have not been convincingly successful, but they may rather be harmful. To narrow down the controversially handled entity of posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) and to avoid overdiagnosis and overtreatment, case definitions have been proposed, acknowledging PTLDS as a complex of nonspecific, subjective symptoms, which are neither caused by ongoing infection nor by any other identifiable disease. PTLDS is mainly a diagnosis of exclusion and requires careful evaluation of differential diagnosis followed by counseling about optimal management in light of missing specific therapeutic options.

A rare case of pseudotumor cerebri in adult Lyme disease

It is important to recognize the rare manifestations of chronic Lyme disease to prevent permanent disabilities. We present an adult case of chronic Lyme disease, who developed pseudotumor cerebri and who needed supplementary surgical treatment. We compare it to the existing published literature, reviewed by a systematic approach.

Lyme Neuroborreliosis in Children: Etiology and Comparison of Clinical Findings of Lyme Neuroborreliosis Caused by Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii

BACKGROUND

Information on the etiology of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) in children in Europe and the influence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on clinical presentation of LNB in children are limited.

METHODS

The study was monocentric. During its 17-year period, children younger than 15 years with presentation suggestive of LNB or confirmed Lyme borreliosis that had B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolated from CSF and had species of B. burgdorferi sensu lato identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were included. Demographic and medical data were compared for children infected with Borrelia garinii to those infected with Borrelia afzelii.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-three children had B. burgdorferi sensu lato isolated from CSF. In 71/113 (62.8%) and 42/113 (37.2%) patients, B. garinii and B. afzelii, respectively, were identified. Patients infected with B. garinii did not report symptoms suggestive of central nervous system (CNS) involvement or any other symptoms more often than patients infected with B. afzelii. Compared with children infected with B. afzelii, children infected with B. garinii had erythema migrans less often (18.3% vs. 45.2%) but had positive meningeal signs (69.0% vs. 38.1%), CSF lymphocytic predominance (97.1% vs. 75.0%), and elevated albumin CSF/serum quotient (80.6% vs. 50.0%) more often.

CONCLUSIONS

In Slovenia, LNB in children is more often caused by B. garinii, followed by B. afzelii. The clinical picture of LNB in children caused by B. garinii is not more often suggestive of CNS involvement, but CNS inflammation is more pronounced in children infected with B. garinii, compared with children infected with B. afzelii.

Distinguishing Pediatric Lyme Arthritis of the Hip from Transient Synovitis and Acute Bacterial Septic Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective

Lyme arthritis is an increasingly recognized clinical entity that often prompts orthopaedic evaluation in pediatric patients. While Lyme arthritis is most common in the knee, the clinical presentation of Lyme arthritis of the hip can be similar to both acute bacterial septic arthritis and transient synovitis. Accurately distinguishing these clinical entities is important since the definitive treatment of each is distinct. Because there is limited literature on monoarticular Lyme arthritis of the hip, the purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical and laboratory parameters associated with Lyme arthritis (LA) of the hip and compare them to septic arthritis (SA) and transient synovitis (TS). 

Study design

A systematic review of the literature was performed using the following search terms, including the variants and plural counterparts “hip” and “Lyme arthritis.” A final database of individual patients was assembled from the published literature and direct author correspondence, when available. A previously published cohort of patients with hip transient synovitis or septic arthritis was used for comparative analysis. A comparative statistical analysis was performed to the assembled database to assess differences in laboratory and clinical variables between the three diagnoses. 

Results

Data on 88 patients diagnosed with Lyme arthritis of the hip was collected and consolidated from the 12 articles meeting inclusion criteria. The average age of patients presenting with Lyme arthritis was 7.5 years (± 3.5 years), the mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and the C-reactive protein (CRP) was 41 mm/hr and 3.9 mg/L, respectively. Peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count averaged 10.6 x 10⁹cells/L with the synovial WBC count averaging 55,888 cells/mm³. Compared to a previous cohort of patients with confirmed transient synovitis or septic arthritis, the 95% confidence interval for ESR was 21 - 33 mm/hr in those diagnosed with toxic synovitis (TS), 37 - 46 mm/hr for Lyme arthritis (LA), and 44 - 64 mm/hr for septic arthritis (SA). Synovial WBC counts (cells/mm³) 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 5,644 - 15,388 cells/mm³ for TS, 47,533 - 64,242 cells/mm³ for LA, and 105,432 - 260,214 cells/mm³ for SA. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of fever > 38.5^oC (P < 0.001) and refusal to bear weight (P < 0.01) between SA, LA, and TS.

Conclusions

Monoarticular Lyme arthritis can be a cause of hip pain in certain geographic areas and has clinical and diagnostic overlap with transient synovitis and acute bacterial septic arthritis. This study consolidates the available literature and represents the largest series of patients diagnosed with Lyme arthritis of the hip to date. We propose a diagnostic algorithm that serially incorporates ESR, followed by a synovial neutrophil count, when evaluating pediatric patients with an irritable hip in Lyme endemic areas. 

Pediatric Lyme Arthritis of the Hip: The Great Imitator?

BACKGROUND

Lyme arthritis (LA) of the hip can present similarly to septic arthritis (SA) and transient synovitis (TS). The primary purpose of this study was to determine clinical and laboratory parameters differentiating LA of the hip from SA or TS among children who had undergone hip aspiration during the evaluation of hip pain.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review of all patients who underwent hip aspiration for the evaluation of hip pain at a tertiary care children's hospital in a Lyme endemic area. Clinical and laboratory data were reviewed and comparative analyses were performed between those diagnosed with LA, SA, and TS. Independent samples t test, ANOVA, and χ test were used to compare clinical and laboratory variables as appropriate. Multivariable logistic regression was used to elucidate independent predictors of LA. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.

RESULTS

Ninety-three hip aspirations (93 patients) were included in the final analysis. Seventeen patients were diagnosed with LA, 40 with SA, and 36 with TS. Multivariable logistic regression revealed febrile history (OR=16.3; 95% CI, 2.35-113.0) and increased peripheral white blood cell (WBC) count (OR=1.26; 95% CI, 1.01-1.58) to be significantly associated with increased odds of being diagnosed with SA versus LA. Increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was significantly associated with increased odds of being diagnosed with LA versus TS (OR=1.06; 95% CI, 1.02-1.10), whereas febrile history (OR=0.06; 95% CI, 0.01-0.49) and increased peripheral WBC count (OR=0.8; 95% CI, 0.65-0.98) were associated with decreased odds of LA.

CONCLUSIONS

Children presenting in a Lyme endemic area with an isolated hip effusion are more likely to have LA versus SA if they have no history of fever and a decreased peripheral WBC count. Compared with TS, patients with LA are more likely to have an elevated ESR. This study adds to existing knowledge because there are few investigations examining isolated LA of the hip.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III-retrospective case-control study.

Myocarditis in Paediatric Patients: Unveiling the Progression to Dilated Cardiomyopathy and Heart Failure

Myocarditis is a challenging and potentially life-threatening disease associated with high morbidity in some paediatric patients, due to its ability to present as an acute and fulminant disease and to ultimately progress to dilated cardiomyopathy. It has been described as an inflammatory disease of the myocardium caused by diverse aetiologies. Viral infection is the most frequent cause of myocarditis in developed countries, but bacterial and protozoal infections or drug hypersensitivity may also be causative agents. The prompt diagnosis in paediatric patients is difficult, as the spectrum of clinical manifestation can range from no myocardial dysfunction to sudden cardiac death. Recent studies on myocarditis pathogenesis have revealed a triphasic nature of this disease, which influences the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to adopt in each patient. Endomyocardial biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosing myocarditis, and several non-invasive diagnostic tools can be used to support the diagnosis. Intravenous immunoglobulin has become part of routine practice in the treatment of myocarditis in paediatric patients at many centres, but its true effect on the cardiac function has been the target of many studies. The aim of this review is to approach the recently discovered facets of paediatric myocarditis regarding its progression to dilated cardiomyopathy.

Diagnosis of Lyme disease in the pediatric acute care setting

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We review the current evidence concerning the diagnosis of Lyme disease in children for application in the acute care setting.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies suggest that Lyme disease incidence is substantially higher than previously described. Although efforts are ongoing to identify alternative testing strategies, two-tiered serologic testing remains the diagnostic standard in children with compatible clinical syndromes. Published clinical prediction rules can assist clinicians caring for children with potential Lyme disease.

SUMMARY

Two-tiered serologic testing remains the mainstay of the diagnosis of Lyme disease. To minimize the risk of a false positive test, serologic testing should be limited to those children with symptoms compatible with Lyme disease with potential exposure to ticks from endemic regions.

Epidemiology of Lyme disease

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in North America and Europe. The etiologic agent, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is transmitted to humans by certain species of Ixodes ticks, which are found widely in temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere. Clinical features are diverse, but death is rare. The risk of human infection is determined by the geographic distribution of vector tick species, ecologic factors that influence tick infection rates, and human behaviors that promote tick bite. Rates of infection are highest among children 5 to 15 years old and adults older than 50 years.