JCRMST

An Unusual Presentation of Lyme Disease: A Case Report

Deena Mistry
Trust Grade Doctor, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley UK.
Shams ud Duja
Consultant Physician, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dudley UK.

Abstract

We present this case of a 67-year-old female with a background of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Hypercholesterolaemia, who presented with a one day history of acute confusion, a facial rash, one episode of urinary incontinence, a fever and sweating. On examination there was an erythematous rash on both cheeks and across the nose, which later became crusted and well demarcated. The vital signs showed she had a fever, the remaining signs were normal. The white cell count was 16 x109/L and CRP 11 mg/L. An auto-antibody screen, CSF microbiology and culture sample and viral CSF PCR screen were unremarkable. On further history taking it was noted that she spent a considerable amount of time in the garden, and that three weeks ago she was bitten by a tick on the face whilst in the garden. Her relative had also had a left leg tick bite from the same garden, which resulted in a rash which resolved following treatment with Doxycycline. A diagnosis of Lyme Disease was made, and her symptoms improved with a course of Doxycycline. This case presentation highlights the variability in which patients with Lyme disease can present, leading to diagnostic complexity, and how history taking was key to reaching a diagnosis.

Keywords

Lyme Disease, Antibiotics, Facial Rash

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