Isolation of Borrelia burgdorferi from the blood of seven patients with lyme disease

摘要: Abstract purpose: Borrelia burgdorferi , the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, has rarely been successfully cultured from blood. We report on seven patients Westchester County, New York, with B. bacteremia diagnosed between April 1987 and August 1987. methods: One hundred thirty-two attempts to isolate spirochetes were made blood specimens obtained 104 patients. Twenty-two these nine who had recently bitten by Ixodes ticks but asymptomatic. Heparinized or serum (0.2 0.4 mL) inoculated onto 6 mL modified Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly medium. serology was performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent polyvalent, IgM, IgG assays, fluorescent immunoassay, microhemag-glutination. results: Four erythema migrans, two facial nerve palsy, one a flu-like syndrome without rash. These represented 21% (four 19) all characteristic skin lesion cultures for 40% (two five) those palsy. Serologic testing frequently nonreactive; no detectable antibody multiple sera five different assays. All improved antibiotic treatment, negative subsequent cultures, persistent complaints after completion therapy. conclusion: Culturing may be useful in confirming diagnosis disease selected Use spirochete facilitate better understanding pathogenesis natural history disease.