Lyme disease and Whipple’s disease: a comprehensive review for the rheumatologist

Bibliographic Details
Title: Lyme disease and Whipple’s disease: a comprehensive review for the rheumatologist
Authors: Henrique Ayres Mayrink Giardini, Fabricio Souza Neves, Ivanio Alves Pereira, Rafael Alves Cordeiro
Source: Advances in Rheumatology, Vol 64, Iss 1, Pp 1-7 (2024)
Publisher Information: BMC, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
LCC:Immunologic diseases. Allergy
Subject Terms: Lyme disease, Lyme borreliosis, Baggio-yoshinary syndrome, Whipple’s disease, Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, RC925-935, Immunologic diseases. Allergy, RC581-607
More Details: Abstract Despite their rarity, Lyme disease and Whipple’s disease are of significant importance in rheumatology, as both can manifest as chronic arthritis, presenting challenges in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory arthropathies. In Lyme disease, arthritis typically emerges as a late manifestation, usually occurring six months after the onset of erythema migrans. The predominant presentation involves mono- or oligoarthritis of large joints, with a chronic or remitting-recurrent course. Even with appropriate antimicrobial treatment, arthritis may persist due to inadequate immunological control triggered by the disease. In contrast, Whipple’s disease may present with a migratory and intermittent seronegative poly- or oligoarthritis of large joints, preceding classic gastrointestinal symptoms by several years. Both disorders, particularly Whipple’s disease, can be misdiagnosed as more common autoimmune rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis. Epidemiology is crucial in suspecting and diagnosing Lyme disease, as the condition is transmitted by ticks prevalent in specific areas of the United States, Europe, and Asia. On the contrary, the causative agent of Whipple’s disease is widespread in the environment, yet invasive disease is rare and likely dependent on host genetic factors. In addition to erythema migrans in Lyme disease and gastrointestinal manifestations in Whipple’s disease, neurological and cardiac involvement can further complicate the course of both. This article offers a comprehensive review of the epidemiological, pathophysiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of both diseases.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2523-3106
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2523-3106
DOI: 10.1186/s42358-024-00359-x
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/4eed1d8933c542f38db906bff182eb0a
Accession Number: edsdoj.4eed1d8933c542f38db906bff182eb0a
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:25233106
DOI:10.1186/s42358-024-00359-x
Published in:Advances in Rheumatology
Language:English