A case of pediatric neuroboreliosis presenting with psychiatric symptoms

Abstract

Research on the role of inflammation and initiating pathogens in psychiatric diseases has been increasing in recent years. Borrelia burgdorferi infection is transmitted to animals and humans with Ixodes group hard ticks. Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria cause Lyme Disease (LD). There are over 250 peer-reviewed scientific articles addressing the causal relationship between tick-borne diseases and mental disorders. Infection with LD has been associated with various psychiatric conditions. Studies show that many psychiatric disorders are seen in LD, including schizo-phrenia, bipolar disorder, panic attack, major depression, anorexia nervosa and obsessive compulsive disorder. It is important to identify infectious agents and associated inflammatory and immunological factors in treatment-resis-tant mental disorders. More research is needed, especially in the child and adolescent population. In these case report the relationship between borrelia burgdorferi infection and psychotic symptoms in a child who presented to the emergency department with restlessness, agitation and psychotic symptoms is discussed.