Erythema migrans A69.2

First and most frequent localized early manifestation of the skin in the vicinity of the tick bite site with circular (disc-shaped) or oval, slowly centrifugally growing erythema, belonging to Lyme borreliosis. The infection is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. Typically, erythema migrans appears 10-30 days after infection. Erythema migrans can be very discrete, so that it is not noticed or is noticed very late (only about half of patients with late manifestations of Lyme disease remember an early clinical presentation!). Multiple erythemata migrantia occur in 5-10% of cases (in children > than in adults). Note: By definition, erythema migrans is called erythema chronicum migrans if it persists for more than 6 months.

Borrelia burgdorferi

The age of the initial manifestation depends on the time of infection. In this respect, there are no disease-specific first manifestations.

Usually: 5-15 years, 40-80 years.

There is no sex predilection.

Buttocks, trunk, extremities. In children: Not rarely head and neck area.

After an incubation period of 10-30 days after the tick bite, 60-90% of infected persons develop a roundish-oval, sharply edged, centrally fading, pale red or livid red erythema starting from a central, reddened spot or a reddish papule, which slowly expands centrifugally. With prolonged persistence, a ring-like structure develops due to central fading, often still revealing a central stinging reaction in the form of a red papule. Clinical variability is high, so that urticarial or highly red or stationary erythema or plaques may also appear.

Rarely, vesicular forms are observed.

Spontaneous healing usually occurs after an average of 10 weeks; longer persistence and local recurrences are possible. There may be accompanying swelling of the lymph nodes, arthralgia, headache and flu-like impairment of the general condition.

Erythema chronicum migrans may be associated with lymphadenosis cutis benigna (lymphocytoma), especially if the earlobes, nipples, and scrotal region are involved.

In childhood, erythema chronicum migrans shows some clinical peculiarities: e.g. manifestations mainly in the head and neck region. Uncharacteristic, transient erythema may occur on the face.

Multilocular erythema migrans: Multiple occurrences of erythema migrans were observed in 10% of cases in a larger Italian study and are considered a sign of disseminated early infection of Lyme disease.

Typical erythema migrans:

• Stitch site visible in the center
• Findings bordered, not raised
• Diameter of the erythema >5 cm

Atypical erythema migrans:

• Homogeneous, not borderline findings
• Absence of spreading tendency
• Tick bite site
• Central red papule
• Not visible
• Raised border
• Inhomogeneous patchy findings
• Central vesicular erythema
• Hemorrhagic erythema

Antibodies can be detected in 50% of patients in the first 2 weeks after infection, after > 4 weeks in 80% of patients. The guidelines of the microbiological quality standards (MiQ = acronym for "Quality standards in microbiological-infectiological diagnostics") recommend the detection of separate IgG and IgM antibodies with a sensitive ELISA and, if positive, analysis with a specific immunoblot.

• Insect bite reaction: Hyperergic insect bite reactions (see below Insect bite) are observed a few hours after the bite event. A "free interval" as for the early form of cutaneous Lyme disease does not exist.
• Tinea corporis: Characteristic are scaly red plaques at the edges, usually associated with itching. Rarely solitary. Mycological (native and cultural) evidence possible in untreated foci.
• Erysipelas: onset with an asymmetric, usually originating from a small lesion, flaming red, painful, sharply demarcated erythema or plaque. Fever and chills may precede or accompany the process.
• Drug reaction, fixed: "Suddenly present" solitary or confined to a few foci, 2.0-5.0 cm in size (rarely larger), round or oval, highly inflammatory, initially rich red, later blue- to brown-red, after healing brown (postinflammatory hyperpigmentation), sharply demarcated, succulent, pruritic, or even slightly painful patches or plaques. Acuity of the event speaks against erythema chronicum migrans, which is chronically insidious.
• Erythema anulare centrifugum: Rarely solitary, usually multiple, anular, sometimes polycyclic, slowly centrifugally growing plaques, typically smooth on the surface, with little or no pruritus. Almost pathognomonic is the palpatory finding: when stroking from the center to the periphery of a foci, the marginal mound feels like a "wet woolen thread under the skin". Histology is often characteristic.
• For multiple erythema chronica migrantia see below. Lyme disease.
• Erythema infectiosum: In cases of facial involvement and multiple lesions, parvo B-19 infection (serology, acuity of manifestations, fever) should be excluded.
• Erysipeloid: Bacterial zoonosis limited exclusively to contact persons (fishermen, butchers, housewives). Occurs mainly on the hands. Minor clinical symptoms.

S.u. Lyme borreliosis.

Favourable; completely curable with sufficient antibiotic therapy.

In a follow-up period of more than 15 years (Weitzner 2015) with sufficiently treated erythema migrans, a so-called PTLDS (post-treatment Lyme disease symptom) could be diagnosed in about 5% of the cases. This manifests itself in unspecific symptoms such as joint and muscle pain, fatigue and concentration disorders. The entity of PDLDS is controversial.

Erythema migrans is accompanied by flu-like general symptoms in about 30% of infected persons, especially in children.

The detection of specific antibodies can occur very delayed (more than 12-16 weeks after the stinging event), so that in case of negative serology the diagnosis should be made clinically.

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3. Hayes EB et al (2003) How can we prevent Lyme disease? N Engl J Med 348: 2424-2430
4. Hengge UR et al (2003) Lyme borreliosis. Lancet Infect Dis 3: 489-500
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