Serodiagnosis of Lyme borreliosis by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, and B. afzelii western blots (immunoblots)

Abstract

The performance of Western blots (immunoblots) prepared with eight strains of Borrelia burgdorferi representing B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii, and B. afzelii genospecies was tested with a panel of sera with various clinical presentations collected from eight geographic regions. European sera were generally more reactive to blots prepared with B. garinii or B. afzelii strain antigens, in particular B. garinii 20047 and B. afzelii VS461. North American sera were more reactive with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto strains. Our observation of significant differences in the levels of reactivity of some sera on Western blots of certain strains is potentially important for the development and implementation of generic interpretive criteria. Preferential reactivity of sera from patients with nerve and/or palsy symptoms to B. garinii strains and with cutaneous disease to B. afzelii strains was observed. On the basis of our results, we have concluded that strain 20047 is the best strain to use for the development of a generic Lyme borreliosis Western blot for Europe.

IgG antibody reactivity to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto antigens in patients with morphea in Colombia

“…This study followed some of these methodologies to determine a local criterion that could distinguish between patients with morphea and controls (patients with syphilis and healthy individuals). 5,6,8 This approach may be affected by cross-reactivity and may be limited by the small number of samples in the present study, leading to the possibility of false criteria for the evaluation of samples. Prospective studies for the validation of criteria, as well as the general approach, are needed, particularly in areas in which an etiologic agent is not clearly linked to Lyme-like diseases.…”

“…Available commercial immunoblot kits prepared with this genospecies and immunoblots based on Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto can detect other related spirochetes, such as B. afzelii and B. garinii . 5,6 The criteria of Dressler et al . 7 are used in North America for the interpretation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) immunoblots.…”

“…These criteria are not as useful for other countries, however, where genospecies of B. burgdorferi sensu lato different from B. burgdorferi sensu stricto exist. 5,6,8 Therefore, studies to identify other criteria for the interpretation of immunoblots in these countries have been conducted. 5,6 In Latin America, where there are no records of the isolation of any genospecies of B. burgdorferi , the detection of antibodies against B. burgdorferi associated with morphea has been reported in Venezuela 9 and Colombia.…”

“…5,6,8 Therefore, studies to identify other criteria for the interpretation of immunoblots in these countries have been conducted. 5,6 In Latin America, where there are no records of the isolation of any genospecies of B. burgdorferi , the detection of antibodies against B. burgdorferi associated with morphea has been reported in Venezuela 9 and Colombia. 10,11 These findings are held in low esteem because of the general belief that Lyme borreliosis does not exist in tropical countries and that positive serologies, including immunoblots, are due to cross-reactivity.…”

Borrelia burgdorferiInfection and Lyme Disease in North American Horses: A Consensus Statement

“…[1][2][3] The primary North American genospecies is B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, with Ixodid ticks being the vector for transmission. [4][5][6] The disease is common in humans and occurs sporadically in dogs but in both species some aspects of the disease remain controversial. 7,8 Clinical signs associated with the infection in humans include arthritis, carditis, erythema migrans, cutaneous pseudolymphoma, neurological involvement, and perhaps, chronic infection leading to malaise and fatigue.…”