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European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases
Published in: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases 5/2012

Open Access 01-05-2012 | Article

Presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato antibodies in the serum of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms

Authors: I. Hinterseher, G. Gäbel, F. Corvinus, C. Lück, H. D. Saeger, H. Bergert, G. Tromp, H. Kuivaniemi

Published in: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases | Issue 5/2012

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Abstract

Infectious agents are likely to play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, including abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). The goal of this study was to determine if Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl), a microorganism responsible for Lyme disease, is involved in the etiology of AAAs. The presence of serum antibodies against B. burgdorferi sl was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and confirmed by Western blotting in 96 AAA and 108 peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for the detection of Borrelia-specific DNA in the aneurysm wall. Among AAA patients 34% and among PAD patients 16% were seropositive for B. burgdorferi sl antibodies (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.003; odds ratio [OR] 2.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.37–5.85). In the German general population, 3–17% are seropositive for Borrelia antibodies. No Borrelia DNA was detected in the aneurysm wall. Our findings suggest a relationship between AAAs and B. burgdorferi sl. We hypothesize that the underlying mechanism for B. burgdorferi sl in AAA formation is similar to that by the spirochete Treponema pallidum; alternatively, AAAs could develop due to induced autoimmunity via molecular mimicry due to similarities between some of the B. burgdorferi sl proteins and aortic proteins.
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Metadata
Title
Presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato antibodies in the serum of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms
Authors
I. Hinterseher
G. Gäbel
F. Corvinus
C. Lück
H. D. Saeger
H. Bergert
G. Tromp
H. Kuivaniemi
Publication date
01-05-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases / Issue 5/2012
Print ISSN: 0934-9723
Electronic ISSN: 1435-4373
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-011-1375-y

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