Lyme borreliosis simile: An emergent and relevant disease to dermatology in Brazil

Abstract

This review article presents diseases related to spirochetes of the genus Borrelia, which are the etiological agents of many human and animal diseases. Focus was given to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, including nine different species that cause diseases often with multisystemic involvement and raising interest to many medical specialties, such as Dermatology, Rheumatology, Cardiology and Neurology. Due to differences concerning the etiologic agent, clinical and laboratorial presentations, when comparing with B. burgdorferi, B. garinii and B. afzelli, the infection must be referred as Lyme disease-like illness in Brazil. The recurrent erythema migrons is the main clinical manifestation of borreliosis observed in Brazil and in other countries. The classical reddish macular or papular skin lesion shows expanding features and is tick bite related; additionally, multiple secondary similar lesions may appear far from the original site. The clinical presentation of the disease, mainly skin manifestation, is the main diagnostic parameter, while serologic exams only confirm the clinical suspicion. ©2005 by Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia.