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Molecular mimicry to Borrelia burgdorferi: pathway to autoimmunity?

Devin D Bolz1, Janis J Weis

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.

Autoimmunity
|December 29, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Lyme borreliosis, a persistent tick-borne illness, may involve autoimmune mechanisms in chronic arthritis cases. This review examines evidence for autoimmunity in Lyme disease patients with persistent joint symptoms.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Lyme borreliosis is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a tick-borne spirochete.
  • Persistent infection can lead to chronic disease, particularly in patients treated before antibiotic effectiveness was recognized.
  • Autoimmune mechanisms are speculated to contribute to chronic Lyme disease symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence supporting autoimmune mechanisms in Lyme disease.
  • To discuss the role of autoimmunity in chronic Lyme arthritis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating autoimmune responses in Lyme disease.
  • Analysis of experimental evidence for autoimmunity in patients with persistent Lyme arthritis.

Main Results:

  • In most cases, experimental support for autoimmunity in Lyme disease is lacking.
  • A subset of patients with chronic Lyme arthritis shows persistent joint symptoms despite apparent bacterial elimination.
  • Evidence suggests potential autoimmune involvement in this specific group.

Conclusions:

  • Autoimmunity may play a role in chronic Lyme arthritis in a small patient cohort.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the autoimmune contribution to Lyme disease pathology.

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