[Biologic diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis].
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a multisystemic infection transmitted by ticks. Its diagnosis is based on clinical and biological criteria. These criteria could be different in Europe than in the USA, because of the existence of multiples strains of borrelia in Europe. In primary stage of LB, the diagnosis is often clinical. In the secondary stage, LB diagnosis is established with an Elisa serology confirmed by a Western blot. The interpretation criteria of these laboratory tests should follow European recommendations (EUCALB). LB with neurological involvement should be confirmed by screening for intrathecal synthesis of borrelia antibodies in CSF. LB with rheumatologic expression could be confirmed by screening for borrelia in joint fluid by PCR. There is no strong marker of activity of the disease. Follow-up for LB is difficult, because antibodies may persist for years and LB does not confer immunization.
Remy
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Service de médecine interne et maladies infectieuses, centre hospitalier de Cahors, 335, rue du Président Wilson, 46000 Cahors, France. remy@ch-cahors.fr
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D015153:Blotting, Western; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial