The Effectiveness of Antibiotic Treatment in Lyme Neuroborreliosis

• Lyme disease is caused by human infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete transmitted by the Ixodes tick which is indigenous primarily to an increasingly large area of the Northeast and Midwest United States. • Manifestations of Lyme disease vary greatly, and can result in significant neurologic symptoms associated with complications of neuroborreliosis or neurologic Lyme disease. • Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease and its complications has been a source of debate and confusion for providers and patients alike. • The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and efficacy of antibiotic therapy in patients with symptoms of neurologic Lyme disease. • Through a review of literature related to the treatment and outcomes of neurologic Lyme disease, it is determined that current evidence based guidelines for pharmacological treatment of neurologic Lyme disease are appropriate when administered correctly. It is also concluded that long term antibiotic therapy is not appropriate for patients with symptoms of chronic Lyme disease due to inadequate evidence to support improved outcomes after antibiotic treatments.https://commons.und.edu/pas-grad-posters/1079/thumbnail.jp