Lyme borreliosis in Belgrade

Abstract In the period 1990-1992 in Belgrade area a diagnosis of Lyme disease was registered in 487 patients. There were 195 men and 292 women. The disease was registered in all ages groups, median age 38 y. The tick bite has been confirmed in 379 (77.8%) patients. Erythema migrans was the first sign of illness in 387 (84.6%) patients. The disease resoted in neurologic symptoms in 1.8%, joint manifestation in 4.8% and cardiac involvement in 0.9%. Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi have been detected by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy in 23.4%. Lyme disease has been registered in all districts of Belgrade. Acarological investigations have detected an infection by Borrelia burgdorferi in 29.0% of investigated ticks.