Antinuclear Antibody Seropositivity in Fibromyalgia Associated with Borrelia-specific T Lymphocytes.

BACKGROUND

Our group have recently reported that there is no evidence of an association between fibromyalgia and Borrelia-specific T lymphocytes. However, a small number of case reports has suggested that infection by the bacterial genus Borrelia may be associated with the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs).

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that those fibromyalgia patients who are ANA seropositive are more likely to show evidence of Borrelia-specific T lymphocyte reactivity than those who are seronegative.

METHODS

T lymphocyte reactivity to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (full antigen) was assessed using the enzyme-linked immunospot and serum ANA status was assessed using immunofluorescence in 27 fibromyalgia patients fulfilling the revised diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology.

RESULTS

The ANA seropositive and seronegative groups were matched for age, sex and ethnicity; the T lymphocyte reactivity to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (full antigen) in the former group (mean 5.60) was significantly higher than that in the seronegative group (mean 1.77; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This novel study points to an association of ANA seropositivity in fibromyalgia with Borrelia-specific T lymphocytes.