Evidência molecular de Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato em pacientes no centro‐oeste brasileiro

Abstract

We aimed to detect DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi in whole blood and serum samples of patients with clinical symptoms and epidemiology compatible with Brazilian Lyme-like disease. Four patients with positive epidemiological histories were recruited for the study. Blood samples were collected, screened by serologic testing by ELISA and Western blotting and molecular identification of B. burgdorferi by amplifying a fragment of the conserved gene that synthesizes the hook flagellar flgE. The results showed positive serology and for the first time, the presence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato in humans in the Midwest region of Brazil. The resulting sequences were similar to GenBank corresponding sequences of B. burgdorferi flgE gene. By neighbor-joining the phylogenetic analysis, the flgE sequence of the Brazilian strain clustered in a monophyletic group with the sequence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato under 100% bootstrap support. This study opens up promising perspectives and reinforces the need for additional studies to determine the epidemiological characteristics of the disease, as well as the impact of the prevalence of Brazilian borreliosis in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil.

First serological detection of Borrelia spp. in dogs in western Cuba

“…In Cuba, González et al (2018), in a retrospective study on BL's occurrence in humans, found that the available knowledge refers to clinical and epidemiological aspects, compatible with BL. Similar observations were made in Brazil (Lopes et al, 2017).…”

“…In South America, spirochetes of Borrelia genus are suspected of causing disease in humans (Lopes et al, 2017). However, the lack of a Borrelia isolate does not confirm the existence of real cases of LB in South America.…”

Borreliae Part 1: Borrelia Lyme Group and Echidna-Reptile Group

“…Molecular identification of B. burgdorferi was carried out in the blood of BYS patients by amplifying a fragment of the conserved gene that synthesizes the hooked flagellar flgE. The resulting sequences were similar to the corresponding sequences of the B. burgdorferi flgE gene [259]. Using antibodies against B. burgdorferi from North America or Europe, although relevant for the diagnosis, they show low titers and fluctuating values, which rapidly disappear in both blood and cerebrospinal fluid.…”