European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

FREQUENCY OF BORRELIA BURGDORFERI WESTERN BLOT AND LTT POSITIVITY AMONG MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS FROM TURKEY

Barbaros Çetin*

ABSTRACT

In Turkey, Borrelia burgdorferi infections are not well known among physicians and almost completely overlooked. On the other hand, a small number of seropositivity studies (%3.3-%73) show that Borrelia burgdorferi is common in Turkey. There is no diagnostic biological marker in multiple sclerosis (MS). Only several clinical criteria used for diagnosis. These criteria are also compatible with other diseases. Lyme disease is currently among them. In the chronic phase of Lyme, demyelination can form and this can be confused with MS. In this study 126 patients, between ages 17 and 66, with a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis was evaluated, and were found according to be found positive Borrelia burgdorferi western blot and LTT test results 108 (%85.72). Only 18 (.28) patients have negative test results. The results show that LYME disease is very common in Turkey and LYME patients with neurological symptoms are misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Keywords: Lyme, Borrelia burgdorferi, Multiple Sclerosis, Turkey.