Diffuse reversible alopecia in patients with Lyme meningitis and tick-borne encephalitis

Wien Klin Wochenschr. 1999 Dec 10;111(22-23):976-7.

Abstract

Alopecia occurring after febrile bacterial and viral infection is a phenomenon well known since the beginning of the century. To evaluate the occurrence of alopecia in tick transmitted disease, 23 adult patients with Lyme meningitis and 71 patients with tick-borne encephalitis were included in a prospective study and were followed up for one year. Diffuse alopecia occurred within three months after the outbreak of disease in 3 out of 23 (13%) patients with Lyme meningitis and in 40 out of 71 (56.3%) patients with tick-borne encephalitis. The mean duration of alopecia was 2 to 3 months and alopecia was reversible in all patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alopecia / diagnosis*
  • Encephalitis, Tick-Borne / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lyme Disease / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Meningitis, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies