Birdshot chorioretinopathy and Lyme borreliosis

Am J Ophthalmol. 1993 Feb 15;115(2):149-53. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9394(14)73917-0.

Abstract

Two patients in whom ocular Lyme disease was suspected and who had antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi developed birdshot chorioretinopathy and carried the HLA-A29 antigen. In a series of 11 patients with birdshot chorioretinopathy who carried the HLA-A29 antigen, three patients had antibodies against B. burgdorferi as determined by either immunofluorescence assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blot analysis, or a combination of these tests. Further studies will be necessary to evaluate whether this is a false-positive reaction or whether B. burgdorferi has a causative role in the pathogenesis of birdshot chorioretinopathy.

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Borrelia burgdorferi Group / isolation & purification
  • Chorioretinitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Chorioretinitis / etiology*
  • Chorioretinitis / immunology
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • HLA-A Antigens / analysis
  • Humans
  • Lyme Disease / complications*
  • Lyme Disease / immunology
  • Lyme Disease / physiopathology
  • Radiography
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • HLA-A Antigens
  • HLA-A29 antigen