PCR Detection of spp. and spp. DNA in Dry Blood Spot Samples from Human Patients.

Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States. constitute an additional zoonotic pathogen whose public health impact and diversity continue to emerge. Rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of these and other vector-borne pathogens remains challenging, especially for patients with persistent infections.

Lyme borreliosis in human patients in Florida and Georgia, USA.

The aim of this study was to determine the cause of illness in several human patients residing in Florida and Georgia, USA, with suspected Lyme disease based upon EM-like skin lesions and/or symptoms consistent with early localized or late disseminated Lyme borreliosis. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays developed specifically for Lyme group Borrelia spp., followed by DNA sequencing for confirmation, we identified Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA in samples of blood and skin and also in lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) removed from several patients who either live in or were exposed to ticks in Florida or Georgia.