Evidence for Borrelia burgdorferi in morphea and lichen sclerosus

Background Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) infection has been implicated in the d evelopment of morphea and lichen sclerosus; however, conflicting results ha ve been reported with different investigational methods from different regi ons. We looked for evidence of Bb in patients with morphea and lichen scler osus by polymerase chain reaction (PGR) analysis of of skin biopsy samples. Methods Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin biopsy samples from 10 patie nts with morphea and 12 patients with lichen sclerosus were investigated by PCR analysis for the presence of Bb. Results The presence of Bb DNA was demonstrated in three of 10 patients wit h morphea and six of 12 patients with lichen sclerosus by nested PCR. Conclusions The data obtained in this study suggest that Bb may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of both morphea and lichen sclerosus at least in t he western parts of Turkey.