Table 3 Clinical data on patients with detected Rickettsia DNA in CSF
Case 1 | Case 2 | Case 3 | Case 4 | Case 5 | Case 6 | Case 7 | Case 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Co-morbidity | Asthma Esophageal hernia | None | None | Colitis ulcerosa | None | None | Spinal stenosis | None |
Symptoms | - Bilateral peripheral facial palsy - Radiculitis | - Unilateral peripheral facial palsy - Headache | - Unilateral peripheral facial palsy - Lower back pain - Radiculitis | - Radiculitis - Erythema migrans - Myalgia | - Radiculitis - Severe headache - Pain in neck and shoulder girdle - Fever - Photophobia | - Transient hemiparesis | - Sensorimotor polyneuropathy | - Fever - Headache - Pain in neck and shoulder girdle - Rash |
Clinical diagnosis | LNB | LNB | LNB | LNB | LNB | Transient cerebral attack | – | Enteroviral meningitis (PCR-verified) |
SFG Rickettsia IFA | NEG | NEG | NEG | NEG | NEG | NEG | NEG | NEG |
Intrathecal Borrelia-specific antibody synthesis (index ≥ 0.3) | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | NO | NO | NO |
CRP | 5.3 | < 1 | < 1 | 6.7 | < 1 | 1 | 2 | 130 |
CSF-leukocytes | 34 | 100 | 863 | 192 | 300 | 2 | 1 | 133 |
CSF-protein | 1.01 | 0.42 | 1.95 | 0.61 | 1.36 | 0.36 | 0.56 | 0.52 |
CSF-glucose | 3.7 | 3.6 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 3.7 | – | 3.0 |
RT-PCR Ct value (CSF) | 41 | 40 | 39.5 | 42 | 39.6 | 39 | 43.5 | 43.5 |
RT-PCR (sera) | NEG | NEG | NEG | NEG | NEG | NEG | NEG | NEG |
Antibiotic treatment | IV ceftriaxone + IV acyclovir | IV ceftriaxone | IV ceftriaxone | IV ceftriaxone | IV ceftriaxone | – | – | IV ceftriaxone + IV acyclovir |
Follow-up | Asymptomatic 1 month post treatment | Asymptomatic 1 month post treatment | Clinical follow-up data missing. | Well-being at hospital discharge. | Responds to treatment. Slight headache and fatigue 1 month post hospital discharge. | Remits after 36 h with full recovery of neurological function. | Symptoms persistent for several years. | Asymptomatic at hospital discharge |