Vesicular erythema migrans

Arch Dermatol. 1992 Nov;128(11):1495-8.

Abstract

Background: Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. The characteristic rash, erythema migrans, is an early sign of the disease. Clinical criteria remain the "gold standard" for diagnosis at this stage of illness.

Observations: Five (8%) of 65 patients with erythema migrans seen in a Lyme disease diagnostic center in Westchester County, New York, had a lesion with vesicles. Borrelia burgdorferi was cultured from two of five. In one case the positive culture came from a swab of the blister fluid.

Conclusions: Recognition of erythema migrans and its variants is important, since early treatment of Lyme disease may prevent late complications. Vesicular erythema migrans should be added to the differential diagnosis of inflammatory vesicular rashes in the appropriate clinical setting.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / genetics
  • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / isolation & purification
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Erythema Chronicum Migrans / microbiology
  • Erythema Chronicum Migrans / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • New York
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction