European Lyme Borreliosis: 231 Culture-Confirmed Cases Involving Patients with Erythema Migrans

摘要: In 1994, we isolated Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato from 231 patients with erythema migrans who presented to the University Medical Center in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Samples of migrans-affected skin were placed media support growth species and evaluated Ljubljana Chicago. Patients whose cultures positive included 132 women 99 men; 136 these recalled a tick bite. noted rash an average 24 days after bite mean 34 (mean diameter. 16 cm). Itching (44%) burning (18%), pain (11%) most common local symptoms. Systemic complaints (40%) headache, fatigue, malaise, arthralgia. Other than migrans, findings on physical examination minimal (< 5% had fever, < 10% lymph nodes affected). Serial serological studies using indirect immunofluorescence assay, ELISA, Western blot methods performed, antibodies B, detected 50% samples patients. This is largest series reported date culture-confirmed Lyme borreliosis. It highlights deficiencies tests early disease, demonstrates sensitivity direct detection for evaluation suggests that borreliosis Slovenia may suffer milder illness those United States.