Čes-slov Pediat 2026, 81(4):209-213 | DOI: 10.55095/CSPediatrie2026/018

Rare manifestation of Lyme borreliosis - encephalomyelitis in a 14-year-old girl

Jitka Bolchová^{1, 2}, Lada Vilkusová³, Ivan Peychl⁴

¹ Pediatrické oddělení, Fakultní nemocnice Bulovka, Praha

² Klinika infekčních nemocí a Dětské oddělení, Fakultní nemocnice Bulovka, 3. lékařská fakulta, Univerzita Karlova, Praha

³ Radiodiagnostické oddělení Fakultní nemocnice Bulovka

⁴ Pediatrické oddělení Fakultní nemocnice Bulovka, Praha

Lyme neuroborreliosis represents one of the most common forms of disseminated Borrelia burgdorferi infection in childhood. Its clinical presentation is heterogeneous and most frequently includes lymphocytic meningitis, cranial neuropathies, or radiculitis,

while spinal cord involvement is rare. We present a case report of a 14-year-old girl with a subacute onset of headache, general condition impairment, and magnetic resonance imaging evidence of cervical myelitis. The diagnosis of neuroborreliosis was confirmed by cerebrospinal fluid analysis, including demonstration of an intrathecal antibody response and elevated levels of the chemokine CXCL13.

Following initiation of targeted antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone, complete clinical and radiological recovery was achieved.

Keywords: Lyme neuroborreliosis, myelitis, headache, CXCL13, magnetic resonance imaging

Received: February 16, 2026; Revised: March 17, 2026; Accepted: March 25, 2026; Published: June 1, 2026  Show citation