Correlation of Lyme Disease–Associated IgG4 Autoantibodies With Synovial Pathology in Antibiotic‐Refractory Lyme Arthritis

Abstract

Our findings indicate that the subclasses of IgG antibodies to B burgdorferi differ from those of LD-associated autoantibodies. Furthermore, the correlation of IgG4 autoantibodies with specific synovial pathology in the refractory group suggests a role for these autoantibodies, either protective or pathologic, in antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis.