Case of Lyme borreliosis in a child

• Main Authors: T.M. Kosovska, V.O. Kosovska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Publishing House Zaslavsky 2019-02-01
• Series: Aktualʹnaâ Infektologiâ
• Subjects: Lyme borreliosis; clinical signs; children
• Online Access: http://ai.zaslavsky.com.ua/article/view/159226
• ISSN: 2312-413X; 2312-4148

Lyme borreliosis (synonym: Lyme disease) is an infectious transmissible natural focal disease, the causative agents of which are spirochetes, and carriers — ixodid ticks. The first cases of Lyme borreliosis in Ukraine are known since 1994. Western Ukraine, including the Ternopil region, is an endemic zone of Lyme borreliosis, because it is located in a zone with fertile soils, temperate continental climate, forest landscapes, which contributes to preservation in the nature of the main reservoir of Borrelia — ixodid ticks. Zones of ixodid tick borreliosis were found in 57 settlements of 14 districts of the region and in the city of Ternopil. Accordingly, every inhabitant of the Ternopil region is potentially infected. The ticks are often infected with several infections that pose a threat to human health and life. The case of Lyme borreliosis was recorded in a Ternopil Region Children’s Clinical Hospital in a 7-year-old child who was admitted with her mother complaints of generalized tonic-clonic seizures for about 2 hours, which arose suddenly against the background of a satisfactory state, followed by loss of consciousness. After the introduction of the sibazon, seizures stopped. About a month ago, the tick bite was detected in the area of the anterior abdominal wall to the left below the umbilicus and the formation of a small itchy papule of 1 cm in diameter in the place of a bite, which increased every day and persisted for about 2 weeks. The edges of the erythema were clear, bright. The child received antibiotic therapy (ceftriaxone) for 1 day. After the treatment, the child is discharged home in a satisfactory condition. Thus, Lyme borreliosis is an actual problem in Ukraine and, in particular, in the Ternopil region. In order to prevent the tick bites, it is mandatory to use closed clothes, repellents when visiting forest park areas. After returning from the forest, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination of the skin in order to timely detect the tick bites. In case of tick bite, it is necessary to properly remove arthropod and it is advisable to carry out a specific laboratory diagnosis. Observation of patients with Lyme borreliosis should be performed within 1 month.