Objective: To investigate the correlation between sarcoidosis and Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) infection.
Methods: Flagella DNA of Bb were detected in 23 tissue speciments from patients with confirmed sarcoidosis using polymerase chain reaction in situ technique (in situ PCR) and the antibodies to Bb were examined in 55 serum samples obtained from the patients by indirect immunoflurescence assays.
Results: (1) None of granulomatous tissues was found to have Bb DNA in 23 tissue samples. (2) 30 of 55 (54.6%) patients with sarcoidosis were found antibodies to Bb positive, in contrast, six of 60 (10%) normal subjects had antibodies against Bb, the positive rate was remarkably higher in patient group than that in healty group (P < 0.005).
Conclusions: Bb might not be the causative agent of sarcoidosis, the elevated titres of serum antibodies against Bb in patients with sarcoidosis is a nonspecific response.