Neurologic complications of Lyme disease

Lyme disease is now the most frequent vector-borne infection in the United States. It is due to a spirochete, Bonelia burgdorferi, which is inoculated into the host by the bite of an infected Ixodes (hard body) tick. The nervous system is frequently involved in clinical infections, with characteristic central and peripheral nervous system syndromes. The diagnosis and treatment of neurologic Lyme disease, however, can pose certain problems. Lyme disease should be included in the differential diagnosis of most major neurologic syndromes.