Ricerca di Borrelia burgdorferi in 16 pazienti affetti da morfea o lichen sclero-atrofico

The clinical, immunological and microbiological data seem to indicate, a clear relationship between infection with Borrelia burgdorferi and some cases of morphea and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, however many other published studies do not support these findings and have cast doubt on an aetiological role for this spirochaete in these dermatitis. In the present study we have looked for the evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in patients with morphea by serologic means and by culture of Borrelia burgdorferi from skin biopsy samples. Sixteen patients, 9 with morphea and 7 with lichen sclerosus et atrophicus were examined. Serological tests for Lyme borreliosis were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Skin biopsy specimens were taken from the periphery of morphea or lichen sclerosus et atrophicus lesions for histological examination and culture. Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi were detected in 3 patients, but isolation of Borrelia burgdorferi from skin biopsies was unsuccessful. In conclusion we were not able to demonstrate the infection of Borrelia burgdorferi in patients with morphea and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, even if the interpretation of discrepancies between different reported studies needs further studies and observations to resolve this controversial issue.