The presence of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in a group of multiple sclerosis patients in eastern Sicily. Preliminary data.
The authors evaluate the presence of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in a group of polysclerotic patients of Eastern Sicily, in order to verify or dismiss a correlation between Borrelia infection and demyelinizing syndrome. 460 samples of serum were examined, of which 60 belonged to patients affected by definite multiple sclerosis; the other 400 were taken from a group of apparently healthy subjects. From the analysis of the data obtained it can be seen that of the 60 polysclerotic subjects examined, 12 equal to 20% were found to be positive for the presence of IgG anti-Borrelia burgdorferi, while in the control group 30 subjects were found to be positive, equal 7.5%.
di Bella
P
P
Department of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Messina.
Calisto
M L
ML
Calimeri
S
S
Squeri
R
R
Anzalone
C
C
Lo Giudice
D
D
Bramanti
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012016:Reference Values
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial