Author/Editor | Arnež, Maja; Pleterski-Rigler, Dušica; Ahčan, Jerneja; Ružić-Sabljić, Eva; Strle, Franc | |
Title | Demographic features, clinical characteristics and laboratory findings in children with multiple erythema migrans in Slovenia | |
Type | članek | |
Source | Wien Klin Wochenschr | |
Vol. and No. | Letnik 113, št. 3-4 | |
Publication year | 2001 | |
Volume | str. 98-101 | |
Language | eng | |
Abstract | Objective: To identify demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics of children with multiple erythema migrans (EM) in Slovenia. Methods: We prospectively studied patients aged 15 years and less, examined at our department for multiple EM in 1996 and 1997. Demographic and clinical data were collected by means of a questionnaire. In addition, basic haematological and biochemical investigations, serologic testing, and Borrelia cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures were performed. Results: Ninety-five children (44 girls, 55 boys) aged 1 to 13.5 (median, 4.5) years fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A tick bite was recalled by 23%. The incubation period was 10.5 (range, 1 to 150) days, the duration of skin lesions before the initial examination 4 (range, 1 to 54) days, and the median number of skin lesions, 4.5 (range, 2 to 35). The initial disease was mild in 81% of patients. Local and systemic symptoms were reported by 11% and 30% of children, respectively. Clinical signs accompanying EM lesions were found in 42%. Cerebrospinal pleocytosis (predominantly lymphocytic) was seen in 18% of patients; none of them had frank clinical evidence of central nervous system involvement. Serum IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in 28% and 22% of children, respectively. In 3/79 (4%) patients, Borreliae were isolated from the blood and in 2/83 (2%) from the cerebrospinal fluid. In 2/81 (2%) children, borrelial IgG intrathecal antibody production was demonstrated. Conclusions: Multiple EM in Slovene children is a mild disease. However, some patients had an associated, usually asymptomatic, infection of the central nervous system. | |
Descriptors | ERYTHEMA CHRONICUM MIGRANS BORRELIA BURGDORFERI AGE FACTORS DATA INTERPRETATION, STATISTICAL IGG IGM LEUKOCYTES PROSPECTIVE STUDIES COHORT STUDIES SLOVENIA |