Autoantibodies in post-treatment Lyme disease and association with clinical symptoms
Authors' conclusion
Several autoantibodies were found after Borrelia burgdorferi and SARS-CoV2 infection, although the prevalence was similar in those with persistent symptoms and those who returned to health.
Study context
- Population
- Patients after Lyme disease or COVID-19, with return to health or persistent symptoms
- Participants
- 70 / 58 / 47 / 22
- Exposure
- Autoantibody prevalence across Lyme disease return to health (RTH), post-treatment Lyme disease, COVID-19 RTH and post-acute symptoms of COVID-19
- Lyme disease RTHn = 70
- Post-treatment Lyme diseasen = 58
- COVID-19 RTHn = 47
- Post-acute symptoms of COVID-19n = 22
- Outcome
- Prevalence of commercially available autoantibodies (Euroimmun myositis, scleroderma and ANA5 panels)
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Autoantibody prevalence across the four groups
- No statistically significant difference in autoantibody prevalence across the four groups
- p=0.746
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | COVID-19 RTH | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Prevalence of scleroderma-associated antibodies, after Lyme disease vs COVID-19 | 2.9% | P = 0.026 |
- Prevalence of scleroderma-associated antibodies, after Lyme disease vs COVID-19: Lyme disease 12.5%
Number of different antibodies found
- Different antibodies in the Lyme cohorts
- 21
- Different antibodies in the COVID-19 cohorts
- 8
Symptom burden (post-Lyme questionnaire of symptoms (PLQS)) by antibody status
- No statistically significant difference in symptom burden based on antibody status
Original publication
Autoantibodies in post-treatment Lyme disease and association with clinical symptoms. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 21 July 2023. doi:10.
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