Investigation of Borrelia burgdorferi genotypes in Australia obtained from erythema migrans tissue.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Lyme disease (LD) is an emerging infectious disease in Australia. There has been controversy regarding endemic lyme disease in the country for over 20 years. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (Bbss) and sensu lato (Bbsl) are closely related spirochetal species that are the causative agents of LD in humans. Clinical transmission of this tick-borne disease is marked by a characteristic rash known as erythema migrans (EM). This study employed molecular techniques to demonstrate the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease isolated from EM biopsies of patients in Australia and then investigate their genetic diversity.

Methods

Four patients who presented to the author's practice over a one-year period from mid 2010 to mid 2011 returned positive results on central tissue biop

SUBMITTER: Mayne PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3426269 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature