Frequency of Lyme arthritis in patients with unknown subacute arthritis

Arthritis is a most common manifestation of lyme disease, which is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi. The birds may be carriers of disease-carrying ticks from Asia to Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate frequency of lyme arthritis in patients with unknown subacute arthritis. This cross-sectional study was evaluated 180 patients with unknown subacute arthritis. Patients were asked about age, sex, foreign travel history, jungle travel history, animal contact, tick bites. Then, IgG, IgM Ab ELISA test were done. In patient with positive IgG or IgM ELISA test, Western Blot test was done. SPSS was used to analyze data. 20 (11.9%) patients had positive ELISA serologic test, in which 12(60%) had IgM Ab, 5 (25%) IgG Ab and 3 (15%) both IgM Ab and IgG Ab. Western Blot was positive in 2(1.1%) and equivocal in 5(2.8%) patients. The results of this study showed that lyme disease should be considered in each patient with unknown subacute arthritis in Iran.