In the diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (LB) still some problems exist. The authors’ department developed their own method of direct evidence of borrelia nucleic acid by the PCR reaction which was tested in a prospective study. 32 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Lyme neuroborreliosis were examined. Spirochaetale DNA was proved in urine and cerebrospinal fluid. Urine was collected before and after treatment, 3 and 6 months after termination of hospitalization, lumbar puncture was performed at the onset of therapy. The PCR reaction was implemented as a two-grade amplification („nested“ PCR). Two sets of primers were used: For the chromosomal gene coding 16S rDN AN and for the plasmid gene coding protein OspC. Intrathecal synthesis of antibodies was assessed by means of a specific antibody index (AIBb). 94% patients had a confirmed autochthonous production of specific antiborrelia IgG antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. Evidence of spirochaetale DNA in the investigated group in urine was relatively high (72% positive in at least one examination). At the onset and at the end of treatment borrelia nuclear acid was found in the urine of half the patients, during the 3-month check-up only 4 (13%) werePCRpositive and during the 6-month check-up no patient wasPCRpositive.From the results a significant decline of PCR positivity during the investigation is apparent which may be evidence of the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment. At the onset of treatment spirochaetale DNA was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid in 44% patients and in the urine in 50%. These results indicate that in neuroborreliosis urine may be suitable material for the diagnosis, among others, also because it is readily available.

        Key words: neuroborreliosis, PCR, Borrelia burgdorferi examination of urine