OBJECTIVE

Diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis (NB) depends on the proof of intrathecal antibody production against Borrelia burgdorferi. CXCL13 has been seen to be elevated early in NB, before antibody production has started. In this study, we determined the diagnostic role of the CXCL13 chemokine in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum for the first time in pediatric NB patients as well as in adults, compared to controls and blood donors (BD).

METHODS

CXCL13 levels were measured in CSF and serum of 33 children and 42 adult patients. Serum CXCL13 was measured in 300 BD.

RESULTS

CSF CXCL13 levels were significantly elevated in definite and probable acute NB in children and adults compared to seropositive and seronegative neurological controls (P < 0.001). Serum CXCL13 levels showed great fluctuations and were not significantly elevated in NB patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that CSF CXCL13 can be used as a diagnostic marker for NB in children as well. In contrast, CXCL13 serum levels show great variance even in the healthy population and are not indicative of active NB.