A case of lyme borreliosis complicated by the development of sensorineural hearing loss

Introduction. Lyme borreliosis (LB) is endemic spirochetosis with a transmission mechanism, which is often marked by a durable, recurrent course with multiple organ damages. LB is characterized by the appearance of migrating erythema at the site of tick bite. Durable persistence of the agent promotes disease progressing and occurrence of serious complications related to the nervous system, the heart and the locomotive apparatus. Among infrequent and especially dangerous complications of LB is damage to the hearing apparatus with the development of sensorineural deafness – hearing loss, which develops within 24 hours due to function impairment of the internal ear or auditory nerve. That infectious diseases account for 12.8-13% of numerous causes of sensorineural deafness development. Most frequently, the disease caused by B. burgdorferi is mentioned. Aim. To analyze the clinical case of Lyme borreliosis complicated by the sensorineural hearing loss. Materials and methods. The analysis of clinical-laboratory and instrumental data of the patient with Lyme borreliosis, whose course of the disease was complicated by sensorineural hearing loss. The patient received care at Lviv Regional Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital (LRIDCH). Results. The article presents a clinical case of Lyme borreliosis, complicated by sensorineural hearing loss, which appeared on the 15th day from the onset of erythema annulare in the patient. Hearing recovery in the patient could not be achieved via administration of etiotropic treatment (2.0 g/per day of ceftriaxone for 28 days), which was likely associated with late visit of the patient for medical aid. Conclusions. Sensorineural hearing loss is one of the rare, but severe lesions of auditory analyzer in LB. Hearing improvement after antibiotic therapy is possible in certain cases in early treatment.