title: Detection of spirochetal micro-organisms by focus-floating microscopy in necrobiotic xanthogranuloma.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. bernhard.zelger@i-med.ac.at
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zelger
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eisendle
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mensing
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zelger
mesh_terms: 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*