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Int J Angiol 1994; 3(1): 203-206
DOI: 10.1007/BF02014944
Original Articles

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Fatal infection with Borrelia burgdorferi by involvement of the cardiac conducting system

Job de Koning1 , Jacomina A. A. Hoogkamp-Korstanje1 , Hans G. Koster2 , Job D. Elema3
  • 1Department of Pathology and Medical Microbiology of the Public Health Laboratory, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
  • 2Department of Neurology of the Medical Centre, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
  • 3Department of Pathology, University Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Presented at The 35th World Congress, International College of Angiology, Copenhagen, Denmark, July 1993
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Publication Date:
22 April 2011 (online)

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Abstract

The cardiac conducting system of a patient with fatal cardiac involvement by B. burgdorferi showed necrosis of associated muscle fibers in the sinoatrial node with lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate and focal edema. Lymphocytic infiltrate was also found around the atrioventricular node and in the penetrating bundle and branching bundle. Fibrosis in the left bundle branch apparently resulted in nearly complete discontinuation of the fibers. Peripheral neural and muscular tissue also showed signs of inflammation. Spirochetes were demonstrated in the branching bundle and between the muscular fibers of the right atrium. Peripheral neural and muscular tissue showed signs of disseminated Lyme borreliosis.