Risk of heart failure among individuals tested for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato antibodies, and serum Borrelia...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Lyme borreliosis, a tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), has been anecdotally linked to heart failure.
• Lyme carditis is a potential manifestation, prompting investigation into the association between Bb infection and cardiac conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the risk of heart failure in individuals tested for Bb antibodies.
• To evaluate the risk of heart failure among individuals confirmed as Bb seropositive.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide cohort study in Denmark (1993-2020) included 52,200 Bb seropositive individuals and matched comparison groups.
• Outcomes included diagnoses of heart failure, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, and cardiovascular medication use.
• Short-term (within 1 month) and long-term (after 1 month) risks were analyzed, adjusting for relevant health factors.

Main Results:

• Individuals tested for Bb antibodies, irrespective of results, exhibited an elevated short-term risk for heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and myocarditis.
• A higher short- and long-term risk of cardiovascular medication use was observed in those tested for Bb antibodies compared to general population controls.
• Bb seropositive individuals did not show an increased risk for any of the studied cardiac outcomes compared to Bb seronegative individuals.

Conclusions:

• Bb antibody testing appears to be utilized in the diagnostic evaluation of heart failure.
• The study found no association between Bb seropositivity and an increased risk of heart failure.