Lyme desease Case Study
Case Study 1 & 2 Lyme Disease
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Turn it in Score must be less than 50% or will not be accepted for credit, must be your own work and in your own words. You can resubmit, Final submission will be accepted if less than 50%. Copy paste from websites or textbooks will not be accepted or tolerated. Please see College Handbook with reference to Academic Misconduct Statement.
All answers to case studies must have reference cited in text for each answer and minimum of 2 Scholarly References (Journals, books) (No websites) per case Study
Lyme Disease
Case Study
A 38-year-old male had a 3-week history of fatigue and lethargy with intermittent complaints
of headache, fever, chills, myalgia, and arthralgia. According to the history, the patients
symptoms began shortly after a camping vacation. He recalled a bug bite and rash on his
thigh immediately after the trip. The following studies were ordered:
Studies Results
Lyme disease test, Elevated IgM antibody titers against Borrelia burgdorferi
(normal: low)
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
(ESR),
30 mm/hour (normal: 15 mm/hour)
Aspartate aminotransferase
(AST),
32 units/L (normal: 8-20 units/L)
Hemoglobin (Hgb), 12 g/dL (normal: 14-18 g/dL)
Hematocrit (Hct), 36% (normal: 42%-52%)
Rheumatoid factor (RF), Negative (normal: negative)
Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), Negative (normal: negative)
Diagnostic Analysis
Based on the patient’s history of camping in the woods and an insect bite and rash on the
thigh, Lyme disease was suspected. Early in the course of this disease, testing for specific
immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies against B. burgdorferi is the most helpful in diagnosing
Lyme disease. An elevated ESR, increased AST levels, and mild anemia are frequently seen
early in this disease. RF and ANA abnormalities are usually absent.
Critical Thinking Questions
1. What is the cardinal sign of Lyme disease? (always on the boards)
2. At what stages of Lyme disease are the IgG and IgM antibodies elevated?
3. Why was the ESR elevated?
4. What is the Therapeutic goal for Lyme Disease and what is the recommended treatment.
