Dermatopathology of Lyme borreliosis

Abstract

The dermatopathology of the entire spectrum of skin lesions in Lyme borreliosis is rendered in text and, in most cases, is illustrated. Special emphasis is placed on the histopathological findings in fresh tick bites as the site of entry for borrelia organisms, and their differentiation from other insect bites. The course of the lesions in the well-established B. burgdorferi-induced dermatoses is histologically described and illustrated. In addition, conditions in which considerable evidence points to a borrelial etiology are delineated. These include morphea-like plaques, lymphocytic infiltration of the skin, panniculitides, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, and cutaneous B-cell lymphomas. Furthermore, the recent immunological findings in these diseases are elucidated