Chest pain in a military recruit

South Med J. 2008 Feb;101(2):202-4. doi: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e318160fd03.

Abstract

Lyme borreliosis remains an important and common vector-borne illness in the United States, Europe, and Asia. In the majority of cases, it presents as a localized rash that seldom causes further complications with antibiotic treatment. If left undetected however, various neurologic, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal manifestations may occur. Reported here is the case of a basic military trainee who first presented with cardiac manifestations of Lyme disease, highlighting this tick-borne illness as a rare, easily forgotten, and treatable cause of complete heart block.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Electrocardiography
  • Heart Block / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Lyme Disease / complications*
  • Lyme Disease / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Military Personnel
  • Myocarditis / diagnosis
  • Myocarditis / etiology