Lyme disease (LD) is a complex, multisystemic illness. As the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, LD is caused by bacterial spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, with potential coinfections from agents of anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis. Persistent symptoms and clinical signs reflect multiorgan involvement with episodes of active disease and periods of remission, not sparing the coveted central nervous system. The capability of microorganisms to cause and exacerbate various neuropsychiatric pathology is also seen in pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS), a recently described disorder attributed to bacterium Streptococcus pyogenes of group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus in which neurologic tics and obsessive-compulsive disorders are sequelae of the infection. In the current overview, LD and PANDAS are juxtaposed through a review of their respective infectious etiologies, clinical presentations, mechanisms of disease development, courses of illness, and treatment options. Future directions related to immunoneuropsychiatry are also discussed. Read More »

2 Comments
great article. Very informative about PANDA
I enjoyed your story, very well written. I’ve had multiple sclerosis (MS) for almost 10 years and I’ve argued with my doctor from the start. There are several people in my hometown with MS. Just recently, my friend was told that she does in fact have Lyme disease not MS. So this got me thinking, about 12 years ago I had has this huge bull eye rash am my leg, but I didn’t give it a second thought, as I worked in a stone quarry, and thought it was a rash from the stone dust. Then about 11 years ago I was having problem with my balance, loss of vision, numbness in hands, legs, feet etc., so maybe it is MS but also after doing a bit of research I read something about the nail bed, and the nail dying and falling off, in which I have also had. So, I’m going to ask my doctor to check into Lyme disease for me. I really do wish you well and that everything works out for you in the future.