Serologic Status of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Patients with Cardiovascular Changes

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease (CHD) from atherosclerosis, are leading causes of global mortality.
• Infectious agents, including Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), are increasingly investigated for their potential role in cardiovascular disease development.
• Lyme carditis is a recognized manifestation, prompting further investigation into Borrelia's impact on cardiovascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies in patients with advanced coronary heart disease.
• To explore the association between anti-Borrelia antibodies and the development of cardiovascular changes.

Main Methods:

• The study included 70 patients (aged 50-82) undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery.
• Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies in patient blood serum.
• Statistical analysis examined correlations between antibody levels, history of tick bites, and other CHD risk factors.

Main Results:

• Anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies were detected in 34.29% of patients, with an additional 17.14% showing borderline results.
• A significant association was found between elevated antibody levels and a history of tick bites.
• No significant link was observed between antibody levels and other established risk factors for CHD.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest that exposure to Borrelia spirochetal antigens may be a contributing factor in the development of cardiovascular changes.
• The presence of anti-Borrelia antibodies in CHD patients warrants further investigation into the mechanisms linking infection and atherosclerosis.
• Additional diagnostic and advanced research is necessary to fully elucidate the role of Borrelia infection in cardiovascular disease progression.