Acute abdominal pain: An unusual medical cause

Abstract

Lyme disease is an infectious illness that arises from the spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted via a bite by Ixodid ticks. There were 768 cases in the United Kingdom (incidence 1.46/100,000) identified by the Health Protection Agency in 2006. Clinical manifestations of Lyme disease can be multi-systemic. It is important for the acute physician to be aware of this condition. Its relative infrequency and unusual presentation can result in delayed diagnosis with potential for suboptimal outcome. Here, we present a case of Lyme disease presenting with abdominal pain and intestinal dysmotility. © 2009 Rila Publications Ltd.