A Child with Unilateral Visual Impairment Caused by Neuroborreliosis

Alies Coenders; Ruben P. Portier; Felix Geeraedts; Ellen J. van der Gaag

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1627479

Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Table of Contents

J Pediatr Infect Dis 2020; 15(02): 102-106
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1627479

Case Report

Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A Child with Unilateral Visual Impairment Caused by Neuroborreliosis

Authors

Alies Coenders

¹Department of Pediatrics, Ziekenhuis Groep Twente (ZGT), Hengelo, The Netherlands
Ruben P. Portier

²Department of Neurology, Medisch Spectrum Twente (MST), Enschede, The Netherlands
Felix Geeraedts

³Laboratory for Medical Microbiology and Public Health, Hengelo, The Netherlands
Ellen J. van der Gaag

¹Department of Pediatrics, Ziekenhuis Groep Twente (ZGT), Hengelo, The Netherlands

Abstract

This case report describes a 7-year-old male patient with painless unilateral visual impairment due to optic neuropathy confirmed by visual evoked potentials (VEP), which was found to be attributed to neuroborreliosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by applying both European (European Federation of Neurological Societies [EFNS]) and American (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]) criteria. Following intravenous treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, his vision gradually improved. This case report adds to the scarce evidence for an association between optic neuropathies and neuroborreliosis. It illustrates that, although uncommon, the clinician should be aware of the possibility of Lyme disease in patients with unilateral visual impairment due to optic neuropathy. Recognition is especially important because visual acuity can return to normal after adequate treatment. We reviewed the differences in criteria by the European EFNS guidelines and the American CDC criteria for making the diagnosis.

Keywords

Lyme disease - neuroborreliosis - visual impairment - optic neuropathy

Full Text

References

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