The spirochete in erythema chronicum migrans. Demonstration by light and electron microscopy

A lesion of erythema chronicum migrans was examined by light and electron microscopy. Spirochetes were identified by light microscopy with Steiner silver stain. Electron microscopy was performed on deparaffinized tissue of the biopsy specimen and a spirochete was identified in the tissue. This treponema-like spirochete has morphological characteristics similar to those described previously for spirochetes obtained from ticks in areas endemic for Lyme disease.