Lyme arthritis in children: From infection to autoimmunity

Understanding the role of the immune system in children with Lyme arthritis

Lyme disease, an infectious illness transmitted by ticks, can affect joints leading to a type of Lyme disease called Lyme arthritis. It can often be treated successfully with antibiotics, but sometimes it evolves into a persistent arthritis that resembles autoimmune arthritis, a type of arthritis where the immune system attacks the body, causing joint pain and inflammation. Dr. Elizabeth Stringer and her team will investigate how the immune system contributes to the development of persistent Lyme arthritis in children. The team will look for differences in immune system proteins in the blood in children with Lyme arthritis at the time of diagnosis, children who have responded to antibiotics, and children who have persistent arthritis. The results of this research will help identify which children with Lyme arthritis are at risk of developing persistent arthritis so that these children can receive optimal treatments early to control inflammation and pain and to prevent joint damage.