Lyme borreliosis in children. A controlled clinical study based on ELISA values.

A total of 27 children with clinical symptoms indicative of Lyme borreliosis are described, 21 of which were seropositive. CNS symptoms were found in 17 of the seropositive children (81%). Of these 21, 7 were CSF negative. Another 3 (with Bell's palsy and/or aseptic meningitis) were initially CSF negative but developed specific CSF titres 80, 65 and 120 days after the first lumbar puncture, respectively. Thus, seropositive children with aseptic meningitis and without initial signs of an infectious aetiology should be checked for a neuroborreliosis even when CSF negative in the first lumbar puncture. Antibiotic therapy undertaken in 26 children showed clinical recovery (Sodium penicillin, 300,000-500,000 units/kg per day for 14 days). One developed residual hypoacusis. Comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG values from 27 cases with those of 30 healthy controls showed that elevated ELISA titres are a good indication of the disease. However, Lyme borreliosis can only be diagnosed correctly if the clinical symptoms conform with specific titres.