Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Fallon, B. A. Articles by Nields, J. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Fallon, B. A. Articles by Nields, J. A. Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders Other Diagnostic Tools

Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

Key Words: Letter

SIR: Drs. Patel and Friedman presented a cogent and informative discussion of the neuropsychiatric features of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis.¹ The section on differential diagnosis, however, mistakenly included syphilis and Lyme disease under the category of viral encephalitides. Both syphilis and Lyme disease are in fact caused by bacteria—in particular, spirochetes.

Further, although acute and convalescent titers can be very helpful in monitoring the course of syphilis, the serologic or CSF test results in Lyme disease are less reliable.² This is of critical importance among patients with Lyme-induced encephalomyelitis. Some patients may have a positive CSF polymerase chain reaction assay for Borrelia burgdorferi (the agent of Lyme disease) or positive immune complex dissociation studies but have an otherwise normal-appearing CSF and equivocal or nonreactive serum.³ Although serologic and CSF titer monitoring is routinely done in the European strains of Lyme encephalomyelitis to monitor progress in the treatment of the disease, the CSF of patients with neurologic Lyme disease in North American strains is less often abnormal initially and therefore less helpful for serial monitoring.^3,4

In endemic areas or in patients with a clinical history suggestive of neuropsychiatric Lyme disease, we urge physicians therefore to consider Lyme disease as a treatable cause of persistent encephalomyelitis even in cases where the CSF or serologic results are negative or equivocal.⁵

REFERENCES

1. Patel SP, Friedman RS: Neuropsychiatric features of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis: a review. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 1997; 9:534–540[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. Burlington DB: FDA Public Health Advisory: Assays for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi: limitations, use, and interpretation for supporting a clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease. Department of Health and Human Services, US Public Health Service, Food and Drug Administration, July 7, 1997
3. Coyle PK, Schutzer SE, Deng Z, et al: Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi–specific antigen in antibody-negative cerebrospinal fluid in neurologic Lyme disease. Neurology 1995; 45:2010–2015[Abstract/Free Full Text]
4. Liegner KB, Duray PH, Agricola MD: Lyme disease and the clinical spectrum of antibiotic-responsive chronic meningoencephalomyelitides. Abstract #D627. VII International Congress on Lyme Borreliosis, San Francisco, CA, 1996
5. Fallon BA, Nields JA: Lyme disease: a neuropsychiatric illness. Am J Psychiatry 1994; 151:1571–1583[Abstract/Free Full Text]

Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Fallon, B. A. Articles by Nields, J. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Fallon, B. A. Articles by Nields, J. A. Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders Other Diagnostic Tools

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 1998 American Neuropsychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us