A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Cerebrospinal Fluid Pleocytosis and Elevated C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 Value Predict Lyme Borreliosis in Children With Facial Palsy
Authors: Pöyhönen H, Lähdesmäki T, Hytönen J, Peltola V
Publication year: 2019
Journal: Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Journal name in source: The Pediatric infectious disease journal
Journal acronym: Pediatr Infect Dis J
Volume: 38
Issue: 12
First page : 1195
Last page: 1198
Number of pages: 4
ISSN: 0891-3668
eISSN: 1532-0987
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/INF.0000000000002475(external)
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a common cause of acute facial palsy in children living in endemic areas for Borrelia burgdorferi. The need for lumbar puncture in diagnostics of LB in children with facial palsy has been questioned. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of LB and the diagnostic value of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample among children with an acute facial palsy.\nWe collected medical records and laboratory data of children and adolescents 0-16 years of age (n = 94) diagnosed with facial palsy between 2002 and 2016 in the Turku University Hospital. A positive B. burgdorferi serology in serum or CSF or a positive B. burgdorferi polymerase chain reaction in CSF were considered as signs of definite LB. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) values were measured in CSF samples from 28 children during 2014-2016.\nLumbar puncture was performed on 84 of 94 children with facial palsy. LB was confirmed in 29 of 42 children with, and in 4 of 42 without, pleocytosis. The sensitivity and specificity of pleocytosis to predict LB were 88% (95% confidence interval, 78%-98%) and 75% (62%-88%), respectively, and the positive and negative predictive values were 69% (55%-83%) and 90% (81%-99%), respectively. An increased CSF CXCL13 value had 67% (51%-83%) sensitivity and 100% specificity for LB.\nBecause serum serology can be negative at presentation, lumbar puncture is a valuable tool when diagnosing LB among children with facial palsy. Pleocytosis and increased protein and CXCL13 values in the CSF suggest LB as the cause of facial palsy.\nBACKGROUND\nMETHODS\nRESULTS\nCONCLUSIONS
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a common cause of acute facial palsy in children living in endemic areas for Borrelia burgdorferi. The need for lumbar puncture in diagnostics of LB in children with facial palsy has been questioned. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of LB and the diagnostic value of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample among children with an acute facial palsy.\nWe collected medical records and laboratory data of children and adolescents 0-16 years of age (n = 94) diagnosed with facial palsy between 2002 and 2016 in the Turku University Hospital. A positive B. burgdorferi serology in serum or CSF or a positive B. burgdorferi polymerase chain reaction in CSF were considered as signs of definite LB. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) values were measured in CSF samples from 28 children during 2014-2016.\nLumbar puncture was performed on 84 of 94 children with facial palsy. LB was confirmed in 29 of 42 children with, and in 4 of 42 without, pleocytosis. The sensitivity and specificity of pleocytosis to predict LB were 88% (95% confidence interval, 78%-98%) and 75% (62%-88%), respectively, and the positive and negative predictive values were 69% (55%-83%) and 90% (81%-99%), respectively. An increased CSF CXCL13 value had 67% (51%-83%) sensitivity and 100% specificity for LB.\nBecause serum serology can be negative at presentation, lumbar puncture is a valuable tool when diagnosing LB among children with facial palsy. Pleocytosis and increased protein and CXCL13 values in the CSF suggest LB as the cause of facial palsy.\nBACKGROUND\nMETHODS\nRESULTS\nCONCLUSIONS