Oculopalpebral borreliosis as an unusual manifestation of Lyme disease.
Murillo G1, Ramírez B, Romo LA, Muñoz-Sanz A, Hileeto D, Calonge M. Author information
Abstract PURPOSE: To report the case of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans as an ocularpalpebral manifestation of Lyme borreliosis, with peripheral keratopathy and associated vasculitis.
METHODS: Case report.
RESULTS: A 16-year-old girl, with a 4-year history of recurrent left eye photophobia, intense redness, and superior eyelid edema, presented with lid erythema, ptosis, superficial venous tortuosity, conjunctival hyperemia, corneal thinning with precipitates, and vascularization.
Borrelia burgdorferi was confirmed by immunoblotting. Treatments with doxycycline followed by ceftriaxone were only partially effective.
Eyelid biopsy revealed spirochetes and vasculitis with deposition of immunoglobulin G. Oral cefuroxime for 28 days was ineffective.
Due to the vasculitis, immunosuppression with azathioprine and topical cyclosporine were given for 4 months. Since then she has been free of flare-ups.
CONCLUSIONS: Lyme borreliosis should be considered in patients with recurrent chronic lid edema and associated keratopathy. PMID: 22495033 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
More! Patient described above had the ACA manifestations of Lyme.
Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA) is often described as a skin and neurological manifestation of late Lyme disease, and is the only "accepted" indication or official "proof" Lyme can be chronic, as live spirochetes have been detected in the skin, bones, underlying joints, muscles (ligaments, tendons) where the ACA rash has occurred.
Please note- the ACA manifestation is thought to be mostly found in patients in other ares (UK, etc) rather than in the USA, however, personal observations indicate it is much more common in the USA than originally believed and is misdiagnosed as many conditions/syndromes that have no known cause or specific treatment.
Most cases I've heard of are in patients residing along the east coast- which has slowly spread to include those within 100 miles of the coast line. There are cases reported elsewhere (mid-west and CA) but not as commonly reported to date.
posted
Question, why can't we get biopsies for lyme?? Can we do this? I feel like it would help us get IV approved??
Posts: 12 | From NJ | Registered: Jul 2014
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
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posted
I wish there was more discussion here
Lindenmom i dont know the answer to that
I went to one of the top eye clinics in the country and the told me no sifn of lyme and had no explanation at all for all my sx
This is getting to be one of my worst sx...i would really like biopsy done but wouldnt know where to go
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
I think it is inexcusable for them to give the patient immunosuppressants for a proven INFECTIOUS cause! What are they thinking!?!?! Wouldn't the spirochetes in the biopsy PROVE it is an infection??
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
Were there specific symptoms associated with the eyes. I have had lots of new eye issues in past year which are strange. Eye doc didn't see any problem though.
Posts: 51 | From Albuquerque | Registered: Feb 2014
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posted
Were there specific symptoms associated with the eyes. I have had lots of new eye issues in past year which are strange. Eye doc didn't see any problem though.
Posts: 51 | From Albuquerque | Registered: Feb 2014
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- lolo,
Some eye symptoms related to lyme are a "not to worry, it will work out" or, say in the case of NYSTAGMUS, common with lyme -- MAGNESIUM really helps calm down that muscle spasm.
Other things about the eyes that lyme can cause can be quite serious.
But most eye doctors have no clue. None. It's not in their training and, as they are under their state medical boards, the same cover of darkness in in place to keep them in the dark.
If one is so fortunate to have a good LLMD or LL ND, they can guide as to if or when an eye specialist should be called. And they can likely also help guide to a particular doctor who may be smarter than the average bear and more open to lyme . . . as least to know what NOT to do.
Many eye symptoms do work out with assertive, direct treatment for lyme and the other infections that may be on board.
Still, because the toxicity of lyme can cause all kinds of symptoms in our vision that most eye doctors wouldn't really be "concerned" with, LIVER SUPPORT is essential, that includes dark colored vegetables and dark berries in foods -- and other ANTIOXIDANTS like TURMERIC or MANGOSTEEN.
There is much we can do for ourselves, still direct and assertive treatment for the infections is a must - and that can take various forms. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- As for a biopsy. I am against them on the basis of torture.
There are OTHER ways to diagnose -- and also to listen to the patient, assess clinical markers, etc. Use wisdom and insight. Not cut or core out a chuck of tissue from a person who likely will have great pain from that and have a hard time with healing.
Permit me, please, a little leeway to not be careful with all my words here and I don't know all there is to know about biopsies other than what I saw my mother go through with a brain biopsy (barbaric)
and my refusal to let them cut out a 2 inch square of tissue from the inside of my mouth to "diagnose" what they were sure is an autoimmune disease (again, they don't think in terms of stealth infections).
I would never, ever, consent to a biopsy of anything other than a small skin mole that would be removed anyway, say, for any kind of skin cancer diagnostics.
If it's a piece larger than I might inadvertently trim by accident on my own cutting board, they can't have it. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Razzle,
Ditto. But they don't care. They really don't. They have turned off their brains under the IDSA spell of "lyme is no big deal".
And, their hands are tied. They can't speak to lyme if they want to keep their jobs. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
Up cuz i dont want to lose this...need to take it to eye doc who has a brain and tris to help me
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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