Serologic evaluation of occurrence in Poland of Lyme disease caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi
Tylewska-Wierzbanowska, S.; Kruszewska, D.
Medycyna Doswiadczalna i Mikrobiologia 45(4): 487-491
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0025-8601 PMID: 8189829 Document Number: 406840
The material consisted of 125 samples of blood serum and 26 samples of cerebrospinal fluid derived from 120 patients suspected of Lyme disease (infection with Borrelia burgdorferi) and 61 samples of serum from healthy persons (blood donors). Investigations were carried on by indirect immunofluorescence test from April 1992 to May 1993. Antibodies against antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi in blood serum and in titer of 160 were detected in only two blood donors (3.3%). When testing group of patients suspected of Lyme disease, antibodies were detected in serum of 20 persons and in cerebrospinal fluid of 6 patients. Titers of antibodies in serum varied from 160 to 640 and in cerebrospinal fluid from 8 to 32. Patients in whom significant levels of antibodies were detected were investigated because of occurrence of erythema migrans, joint pain and inflammation of vessels of the eyeball. They were hospitalized in neurological wards with various symptoms in central and peripheral nervous system. These studies indicate that in Poland occur both cases of fresh (erythema migrans) and chronic (neuroborreliosis) infections with Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme borreliosis, Lyme disease).