PCR in lyme neuroborreliosis: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
DNA proof is the only widely available direct diagnostic tool in Lyme borreliosis. Sensitive PCR detecting of spirochetal DNA was prepared and a prospective study in neuroborreliosis was performed.


METHODS
57 hospitalised patients with active neuroborreliosis and proved CSF antibodies synthesis were examined. Nested-PCR (utilizing three targets) was used for the detection of specific DNA in plasma, CSF and urine.


RESULTS
Before treatment 36 positive patients (63.1%) were found in all tested specimens in parallel, 28 patients (49.1%) were positive in urine, 20 in CSF (35.0%) and 16 in plasma 28.0%). Later only urine was tested and the following results were obtained: 17 positive patients (30.0%) immediately after treatment, 8 (14.0%) after 3 months and one patient persisted positivity after 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The highest sensitivity of PCR was achieved in the acute period of neuroborreliosis - 63.1% in three body fluids comparing with CSF antibody synthesis.
Pícha
D
D
First Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Second Medical Faculty of Charles University, Faculty Hospital Bulovka, Czech Republic.
Moravcová
L
L
Zdárský
E
E
Maresová
V
V
Hulínský
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000382:microbiology; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020852:Lyme Neuroborreliosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D004269:DNA, Bacterial