Borrelia burgdorferi antigens in a mouse model
By Linda on Dec 7, 2009 in Infections | comments(0)
HLA-DR alleles determine responsiveness to Borrelia burgdorferi antigens in a
mouse model of self-perpetuating arthritis.
Iliopoulou BP, Guerau-De-Arellano M, Huber BT.
Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts.
OBJECTIVE: Arthritis is a prominent manifestation of Lyme disease, which is
caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Chronic Lyme arthritis
persisting even after antibiotic treatment is linked to HLA-DRB1*0401 (DR4) and
related alleles. In contrast, patients whose Lyme arthritis resolves within 3
months postinfection show an increased frequency of HLA-DRB1*1101 (DR11). The
aim of this study was to analyze the underlying mechanism by which HLA-DR
alleles confer genetic susceptibility or resistance to antibiotic-refractory
Lyme arthritis. Continued
