Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Localized Scleroderma and Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus: Manifestations of a Borrelia burgdorferi Infection?

  • Chapter
Aspects of Lyme Borreliosis

Abstract

In 1985 and 1986 Aberer et al., Neubert et al., and Rufli et al. published serological findings showing elevated antibody titers againstBorrelia burgdorferi in 20%-50% of patients with localized scleroderma (LS) (Aberer et al. 1985; Neubert et al. 1986a, b; Rufli et al. 1986). Reports of negative serological results in LS patients from the United States and Northern Europe, however, led to some scepticism about the significance of these findings (Muhlemann et al. 1986; Hansen et al. 1987; Hoesly et al. 1987). In further studies, elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titers against B. burgdorferi have also been reported in patients with lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) (Olsson et al. 1988; Aberer et al. 1989; Neubert 1990; Neubert et al. 1990).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abele DC, Anders KH (1990) The many faces of borreliosis II. J Am Acad Dermatol 3:401–410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aberer E. (1991) Cutaneous manifestations of Lyme borreliosis Infection (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Aberer E, Stanek G (1987) Histological evidence for spirochetal origin of morphea and lichen sclerosus et atrophicans. Am J Dermatopathol 9:374–379

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aberer E, Neumann R, Stanek G (1985) Is localized scleroderma a Borrelia infection? (letter) Lancet II: 273

    Google Scholar 

  • Aberer E, Neumann R, Lubec G (1987a) Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans in association with lichen sclerosus et atrophicans: tubulo-interstitial nephritis and urinary excretion of spirochete-like organisms. Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 67:62–91

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aberer E, Stanek G, Ertl M, Neumann R (1987b) Evidence for spirochetal origin of circumscribed scleroderma (morphea). Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 67:225–231

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Aberer E, Neumann R, Klade H, Reiner M, Stanek G (1989) Screening of dermatological patients for antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi. In: G. Stanek et al. (eds) Lyme Borreliosis II, Zentralbl Bakteriol (Suppl) 18:178–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Aberer E, Klade H, Stanek G, Gebhart W (1991a) Borrelia burgdorferi and different types of morphea. Dermatologica 183:145–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aberer E, Klade H, Hobisch G (1991b) A clinical, histological and immunohistochemical comparison of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans and morphea. Am J Dermatopathol 13:334–341

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ackerman AB (1982) Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus vs. scleroderma. In: Ackerman AB et al. (eds) Differential diagnosis in dermatopathology. Leo and Febiger, Philadelphia, pp 62–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Adam T, Graf B, Neubert U, Göbel UB (1992) Detection and classification of Borrelia burgdorferi by direct sequencing of 16S NA amplified after reverse transcription. Med Microbiol Lett 1:120–126

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asbrink E, Brehmer-Andersson E, Hovmark A (1986) Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans - a spirochetosis. Am J Dermatopathol 8:209–219

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Braun-Falco O, Plewig G, Wolff HH, Winkelmann RK (1990) Dermatology. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York pp 552–556

    Google Scholar 

  • Büchner SA (1989) Morphea - eine zeckenübertragene Borreliose der Haut? Ein Beitrag zur Pathogenese der zirkumskripten Sklerodermie. Z Hautkr 64:661–669

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Büchner SA, Rufli TH (1988) Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in localized scleroderma. Lecture, symposium “Immunologica Twardziny”, Warszawa, November 1988

    Google Scholar 

  • Coulson IH, Smith NP, Holden CA (1989) Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans with coexisting morphea. Br J Dermatol 121:263–269

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dattwyler RJ, Volkman DJ, Luft BJ, Halperin JJ, Thomas J, Golightly MG (1988) Seronegative Lyme Disease. Dissociation of specific T- and B-Lymphocyte response to Borrelia burgdorferi. N Engl J Med 319:1441–1446

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Donnermann C, Heite H-J (1959) Beitrag zur Symptomatologie der Akrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (Pick-Herzheimer). Arch Klin Exp Dermatol 208:516–527

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duray PH, Steere AC (1988) Clinical pathologic correlations of Lyme disease by stage. Ann NY Acad Sci 539:65–79

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Grahmann F, Schmidli J, Meier C (1989) Shulman Syndrome as precursor of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans Herxheimer. Another manifestation of Lyme borreliosis? In: G. Stanek et al. (eds) Lyme Borreliosis Ü, Zentralbl Bakteriol (Suppl) 18:172–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Halkier-Soerensen L, Kragballe K, Hansen K (1989) Antibodies to the Borrelia burgdorferi flagellum in patients with scleroderma, granuloma annulare and porphyria cutanea tarda. Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 69:116–199

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen K, Serup J, Hoybye S (1987) Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi and localized scleroderma. Lancet i: 682

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoesly JM, Lester EM, Winkelmann RK (1987) Localized scleroderma (morphea) and antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi. J Am Acad Dermatol 17:455–458

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann H, Martin C, Preac-Mursic V (1990) Atrophodermia Pasini et Pierini - seronegative Borrelia burgdorferi infection. Abstracts B. IVth international conference on Lyme borreliosis, Stockholm, Sweden, p 89

    Google Scholar 

  • Jablonska S (1975) Scleroderma and pseudoscleroderma. 2nd edn. Polish Medical Publishers, Warszawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Jadassohn J (1976) Handbuch der Haut- und Geschlechtskrankheiten. Ergänzungswerk III/A. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, p 482

    Google Scholar 

  • Korting GW, Hoede N, Holzmann H (1969) Zur Frage des Elasticaverhaltens bei einigen sklerosierenden und atrophisierenden Hautkrankheiten. Hautarzt 20:351–361

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Langer K, Diem E (1988) Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans und sklerodermiforme Hautveränderungen bei Borrelieninfektion. Hautarzt 39:647–651

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lecerf V, Bagot M, Revuz J, Tourain R, Dournon E (1989) Borrelia burgdorferi and localized scleroderma (letter). Arch Dermatol 125:297

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maleville J, Picrard GE, Baraton G, Kiene C, Sanciaume C, Fontan I, Taieb A (1989) Sclérodermi en plaques multiples: mise en evidence de spirochétes dans le derme. Nouv Dermatol 8:120–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Miescher V (1949) In- und ausländische Erfahrungen mit neueren Behandlungsmethoden in der Dermatovenerologic. Arch Dermatol Syph (Berl) 189:42

    Google Scholar 

  • Muhlemann MF, Wright DJM, Black C (1986) Serology of Lyme disease (letter). Lancet 11:553–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neubert U (1989) Klinische Aspekte der Borrelia-burgdotferi-Infektion. Z Hautkr 64:649–656

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neubert U (1990) Zirkumskripte Sklerodermie und Lichen Sclerosus et atrophicans: Welche Rolle spielen Borrelien-Infektionen? In: O. Braun Falco, J. Ring (eds) Fortschritte der praktischen Dermatologie und Venerologie XII. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 470–471

    Google Scholar 

  • Neubert U, Gerstmeier J, Meurer M, Krieg T (1986a) Spirochetal antibodies in morphea. Lecture, Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dermatologische Forschung. Vienna, Nov 1985. J Invest Dermatol 86:336–337 (abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Neubert U, Krampitz HE, Engl H (1986b) Microbiological findings in erythema (chronicum) migrans and related disorders. Zentralbl Bakteriol Hyg (A) 263:237–252

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Neubert U, Kauzmann M, Meurer M, Gerstmeier J, Krieg T (1989) Serological evidence for Borrelia burgdorferi as a possible etiologic agent in morphea. Lecture, 18th meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research, Munich, June 1988. J Invest Dermatol 91:404 (abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Neubert U, Kauzmann M, Meurer M, Krieg T (1990) Serum antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in localized scleroderma and lichen sclerosus et atrophicans. Abstracts B. IVth international conference on Lyme borreliosis, Stockholm, Sweden, p 88

    Google Scholar 

  • Neubert U (1992) Zirkumskripte Sklerodermien und Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus - mögliche Folgen einer Borrelieninfektion? In: O.P. Hornstein (ed) Beiträge zur Dermatologie, Band 15. Virale und bakterielle Infektionskrankheiten der Haut. Perimed, Erlangen, pp 232–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramelet AA (1987) Association of acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans and morphea. Dermatologica 175:253–256

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ross SA, Sanchez JL, Taboas JO (1990) Spirochetal forms in the dermal lesions of morphea and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. Am J Dermatopathol 12 (4): 357–362

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rufli T, Lehner S, Aeschlimann A, Clamot E, Gigon F, Jeanneret JP (1986) Zum erweiterten Spektrum zeckenübertragener Spirochätosen. Hautarzt 37:597–602

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schempp C, Bocklage H, Lange R, Owsianowski M, Gollnik H, Orfanos CE (1992) Evidence for localized spirochaetal infection in morphoea with absence of systemic antibody response. Arch Dermatol Res 284:22 (abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scleroderma Working Group of the Dermatological Research Study Group (1990) Classification of circumscribed scleroderma. Multicentre study with 286 patients. Hautarzt 41:16–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Söhnchen R, Neubert U, Körting HC (1989) Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. Nekrobiosisartige und Morphea-artige Hautveränderungen bei Borrelieninfektion. Case presentation (abstract). Hautarzt 40:726

    Google Scholar 

  • Uitto J, Santa Cruz DJ, Bauer EA, Elsen AZ (1980) Morphea and lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. J Am Acad Dermatol 3: 271–279

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weber K, Schierz G, Wilske B, Preac-Mursic V (1984) Zur Klinik und Ätiologie der Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans. Hautarzt 35:571–577

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weber K, Preac-Mursic V, Reimers CD (1988) Spirochetes isolated from two patients with morphea. Infection 16:29–30

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. U. Neubert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. Aberer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. Rufli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Rosenstr.6, 8000, München 2, Germany

    Klaus Weber (Dermatologist in Private Practice) (Dermatologist in Private Practice)

  2. Laboratory of Vectors and Pathogens, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service,National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 59840, Hamilton, MT, USA

    Willy Burgdorfer Ph.D.,M.D.(h.c.)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1993 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Neubert, U., Aberer, E., Rufli, T. (1993). Localized Scleroderma and Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus: Manifestations of a Borrelia burgdorferi Infection?. In: Weber, K., Burgdorfer, W., Schierz, G. (eds) Aspects of Lyme Borreliosis. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-77614-4_18

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-77614-4_18

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-77616-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-77614-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation