CHARACTERIZATION OF BORRELIA-BURGDORFERI STRAINS IN LYME ARTHRITIS

In the study presented, we investigated whether Lyme arthritis is asso ciated with a particular Borrelia burgdorferi genospecies. Using the P CR technique, in 7/11 samples of synovial fluid of patients with Lyme arthritis a part of the ospA-gene was identified and the strains chara cterized fly sequencing of the amplified DNA. Borrelia burgdorferi sen su stricto was found in 3 patients, B. garinii in 3, and B. afzelii in 1 patient. In conclusion, Lyme arthritis is caused by all 3 human pat hogenetic genospecies which are actually known. For clinical practice PCR proved to be a rather insensitive diagnostic method, but may confi rm the diagnosis of Lyme arthritis ill doubtful cases.