Augmented intrathecal secretion of interferon-gamma in response to Borrelia garinii in neuroborreliosis

J Neuroimmunol. 1998 Aug 14;89(1-2):177-81. doi: 10.1016/s0165-5728(98)00136-2.

Abstract

The Lyme disease agent Borrelia garinii has been suggested to be neurotrop, preferentially affecting the nervous system. We compared the secretion of interferon-gamma in response to outer surface proteins from Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii in 10 patients with neuroborreliosis. In cerebrospinal fluid, stimulation with Borrelia garinii revealed higher numbers of interferon-gamma-secreting cells in all patients, whereas in blood, only five displayed higher numbers. This further strengthens the hypothesis of Borrelia garinii being associated with the development of neuroborreliosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antigens, Bacterial / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Borrelia / immunology*
  • Borrelia Infections / immunology*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / cytology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / immunology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / microbiology
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoassay
  • Interferon-gamma / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism*
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Lymphocytes / microbiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases / immunology*
  • Nervous System Diseases / microbiology

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • Interferon-gamma