Detection of spirochetal micro-organisms by focus-floating microscopy in necrobiotic xanthogranuloma.
BACKGROUND
Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma (NXG) is a rare histiocytic disorder of unknown origin.


OBJECTIVE
We conducted an investigation of skin biopsy specimens from 7 patients with NXG for the presence of Borrelia by focus-floating microscopy.


METHODS
Focus-floating microscopy is a recently described, modified immunohistochemical technique in which the sections of a slide are simultaneously scanned both horizontally and vertically. Focus-floating microscopy is more sensitive for the detection of micro-organisms than polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
Borrelia could be detected as single, paired, or clusters of spirochetes in 6 cases of NXG whereas two cases investigated with a Borrelia-specific polymerase chain reaction (23s-RNA) remained negative.


CONCLUSIONS
Limited biopsy material in each patient prohibited a more detailed study of the life history of cutaneous lesions in NXG.


CONCLUSIONS
The detection of this micro-organism in NXG points to a specific involvement of B burgdorferi or other similar strains in the development of or as a trigger of this disease.
Zelger
Bernhard
B
Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. bernhard.zelger@i-med.ac.at
Eisendle
Klaus
K
Mensing
Christian
C
Zelger
Bettina
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D017441:Necrobiotic Disorders / Q000382:microbiology*; D014973:Xanthomatosis / Q000382:microbiology*