Does lyme disease exist in the Gulf region? preliminiary serologic evidence of exposure to borrelia burgdorferi in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

One hundred and sixty four patients with various underlying diseases were screened for the presence of antibodies to the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi using immunofluorescence antibody [IFA] assay followed, in positive cases, by enzyme-linked immunoassay [ELlSA]. Five patients showed serological evidence of possible exposure to the spirochete. Only one patient had a positive rheumatoid factor and none had a positive rapid plasma reagin [RPR] or Trepenoma pallidum hemagglutination test [TPHA]. Thus, we conclude that there is preliminary serological evidence suggestive of exposure to B. burgdorferi and possibly Lyme disease in Saudi Arabia