LYME-DISEASE IN A 74-YEAR-OLD FOREST OWNER WITH SYMPTOMS OF DERMATOMYOSITIS

We describe a 73-year-old forest owner with widespread erythema, myalg ia, and proximal muscle weakness, The clinical signs and the results o f electromyography, magnetic resonance imaging, and a muscle biopsy we re consistent with dermatomyositis, However, serology was positive for Borrelia burgdorferi. More importantly, B burgdorferi DNA was detecte d in skin by polymerase chain reaction techniques, and spirochete-like organisms were detected in the muscle by silver staining. Lyme diseas e with muscle involvement can mimic or trigger dermatomyositis and sho uld be considered in the differential diagnosis of dermatomyositis.