DETECTION OF BORRELIA-BURGDORFERI DNA (B-GARINII, OR B-AFZELII) IN MORPHEA AND LICHEN-SCLEROSUS-ET-ATROPHICUS TISSUES OF GERMAN AND JAPANESE BUT NOT OF US PATIENTS

Objective: To elucidate the geographic and genospecific association of Borrelia with morphea and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA). Desig n: The association of Borrelia burgdorferi with morphea and LSA has be en reported, but is still controversial. We conducted a retrospective survey of Borrelia DNA in skin biopsy specimens. Settings: The samples were collected from the outpatient clinic of university hospitals and a dermatopathology laboratory. Patients: Skin biopsy specimens (19 mo rphea and 34 LSA) were obtained from patients in the United States, Ja pan, and Germany. DNA samples were subjected to amplification with pol ymerase chain reaction for B burgdorferi flagellin gene, and for the g enotype-specific detection of B burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia ga rinii, and Borrelia afzelii. Results: Five cases of morphea and 2 case s of LSA in Germany and Japan yielded positive signals for B garinii o r B afzelii, the European species. None of the American samples were p ositive for Borrelia polymerase chain reaction. Borrelia burgdorferi s ensu stricto was not detected in any of the specimens. Conclusion: Mor phea and LSA in Germany and Japan can be related with European genotyp es of Borrelia.