CLINICAL-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES OF NEUROBORRELIOSIS IN UKRAINE AND WORLDWIDE: A CURRENT PERSPECTIVE

Lyme disease is a zoonotic infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, transmitted through Ixodes tick bites. The infection has three stages. The early localized stage is marked by erythema migrans. The early disseminated stage involves the nervous system, heart, and skin. The late stage produces chronic musculoskeletal and neurological issues. Incidence is highest in Western Europe, the United States, and some regions of Ukraine, with recent increases in reported cases. Neuroborreliosis develops in 10–15 % of patients, usually 2–6 weeks after infection. Symptoms include meningitis, radiculopathies, facial palsy, and other neurological signs. Differences in clinical presentation correspond to the regional distribution of Borrelia genotypes. Diagnosis requires serological tests, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and molecular methods. Standard treatment is antibiotic therapy with doxycycline or ceftriaxone for 14–21 days. Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome affects 10–20 % of patients, presenting with persistent fatigue and cognitive deficits in the absence of active infection. Management focuses on rehabilitation, including physiotherapy and psychosocial interventions, to mitigate neurological impairments and improve functional outcomes. Prevention is essential to reduce disease incidence. Key strategies include personal protective measures, epidemiological monitoring, and ongoing vaccine development. These measures are particularly important in high-risk settings, such as among military personnel and populations in areas with limited access to healthcare.