The laboratory diagnosis of ocular Lyme borreliosis.
BACKGROUND
A study was carried out to evaluate indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblot analysis, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnostic work-up of ocular Lyme borreliosis.


METHODS
Twenty patients with ocular Lyme borreliosis were examined. IgG and IgM antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi were measured by ELISA in serum, and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) when indicated, and immunoblot analysis of B. burgdorferi IgG antibodies in serum was performed. A nested PCR was used to detect a segment of a gene coding for B. burgdorferi endoflagellin. The samples used in PCR testing were serum and CSF and in isolated cases conjunctiva and vitreous.


RESULTS
Seventeen patients had elevated Borrelia antibodies in serum or CSF by ELISA. Seven patients, including two with negative ELISA, had a positive immunoblot. Seven of the 13 patients in whom PCR was examined during clinically active disease had a positive PCR result. Immunoblot analysis gave a negative result from the sera of five PCR-positive patients.


CONCLUSIONS
For efficient diagnosis of ocular Lyme borreliosis, immunoblot analysis and PCR should be used in addition to ELISA. A positive PCR seems to be associated with a negative immunoblot.
Mikkilä
H
H
Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Karma
A
A
Viljanen
M
M
Seppälä
I
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005408:Flagellin / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D005408:Flagellin