Species of Borrelia burgdorferi complex that cause borrelial lymphocytoma in France.
BACKGROUND
Only about 30 cases of borrelial lymphocytoma (BL) with identification of the causative species of Borrelia have been published to date, mainly from Eastern or Central European countries.


OBJECTIVE
To identify the species of B. burgdorferi complex responsible for BL in France.


METHODS
Nine patients with BL acquired in France and for whom skin samples were sent to the national reference centre laboratory between 1994 and 2007 were included in this retrospective study. Direct detection of Borrelia in skin samples was made by polymerase chain reaction targeting the fla gene. Culture was performed when technically possible, and identification of each species was made by hybridization of a fragment of the fla gene with a panel of species-specific oligonucleotides.


RESULTS
Borrelia afzelii was identified in three cases, B. garinii and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto in one case each. Culture was positive in only one case (B. garinii).


CONCLUSIONS
Borrelia afzelii seems to be the predominant species of Borrelia responsible for BL in France, as already reported in other European countries.
Lenormand
C
C
Clinique Dermatologique, Université Louis Pasteur, Strasbourg 67091, France.
Jaulhac
B
B
De Martino
S
S
Barthel
C
C
Lipsker
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002648:Child; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005408:Flagellin / Q000235:genetics; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D019310:Pseudolymphoma / Q000382:microbiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005408:Flagellin