In the case of Lyme meningitis, which antibiotic is recommended?

In the case of Lyme meningitis, ceftriaxone is the recommended antibiotic. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted through tick bites. When Lyme borreliosis leads to neurological complications, such as meningitis, intravenous ceftriaxone is favored due to its efficacy against the spirochete.

Ceftriaxone is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic that penetrates the central nervous system effectively, making it an appropriate choice for treating central nervous system infections, such as Lyme meningitis. Its ability to reach adequate concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is crucial for treating infections involving the nervous system.

In contrast, while doxycycline and amoxicillin can also treat Lyme disease, they are generally used for early localized disease and early disseminated disease without neurological involvement. Doxycycline is well absorbed and can penetrate the CNS, but ceftriaxone is typically preferred in serious cases such as meningitis due to its superior efficacy and established treatment protocols.

Vancomycin, though a powerful antibiotic for treating certain bacterial infections, does not have the appropriate spectrum of activity against Borrelia burgdorferi, which makes it unsuitable for this