Morphea after Borrelia-induced facial nerve palsy

Abstract

Morphea, also known as localized scleroderma, is characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the skin. The exact pathogenesis of morphea is unknown, but generally includes genetic predisposition to autoimmunity combined with an environmental insult. Previous cases have been associated with active Borrelia infection; however, Borrelia infection as a direct cause of morphea was not generalizable to most patients. Within endemic areas, Borrelia burgdorferi is the most common cause of facial nerve paralysis, another autoimmune phenomenon. We report a case of facial morphea in a young man with family history of autoimmune disease who developed morphea in the same location as two previous episodes of Borrelia-induced facial nerve palsy. This case is remarkable because it suggests Borrelia burgdorferi induced loss of local immune tolerance to host antigens, first with facial nerve palsy and followed years later by development of morphea.