A prospective study of Lyme arthritis in north India

Twenty seven patients presenting with mono/oligoarticular disease of unknow n etiology were prospectively screened for Lyme arthritis. In addition, 12 healthy blood bank donors, 25 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (diseas e controls), and 20 deer handlers and veterinarians were also screened for IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. Only one patient tested borderline positive for antibodies to B. burgdorferi (more likely false positive). Non e of the healthy subjects, disease controls or occupationally exposed indiv iduals exhibited serological evidence of exposure to B. burgdorferi. Screen ing for Lyme disease may not be warranted while investigating mono/oligoart hritides of unknown etiology in this part of the country.