Profil pacjenta diagnozowanego w kierunku boreliozy na przykładzie pacjentów szpitala pediatrycznego Warszawskiego Uniwersytetu Medycznego w latach 2013-2015

Abstract

Introduction. Lyme borreliosis is the most frequent tick-borne disease in Europe and North America. It is a chronic, multi-organ disease, with phasic course. The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and serologic findings at the patient bitten by the tick. Aim. Aim of this study was to analyze the recommendations for the tests towards the Lyme disease at patients of the Pediatric Hospital of Medical University of Warsaw. Material and methods. We conducted a retrospective analysis of medical data of children hospitalized at the Pediatric Hospital in the period from January 2013 to the end of February 2015, who had performed diagnostic tests for Borrelia burgdorferi infection. Results. In the period from 1st January 2013 to 28th February 2015 tests forantibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi were ordered in 226 patients, including 119 girls and 107 boys. The ELISA test was performed in 219 patients, Western blot test was performed in 25 patients, and the presence of antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid was examined in 2 patients. Diagnosed patients presented various symptoms. Patients from the two largest groups reported with articular complaints and heart symptoms. The group of patients diagnosed with fever, headache and facial nerve paralysis was less numerous. A small group of patients had a history of tick bite and presented with erythema. Conclusions. Patients of the Pediatric Hospital of the Medical University of Warsaw, who were ordered to perform tests for Lyme disease, presented symptoms from various organs and systems. These symptoms overlap with ailments and symptoms described in people who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease in both the early and late stages of the disease. The serological tests in connection with the medical history and physical examination are an important element in the diagnostics of Lyme disease in children.