Lyme disease is transmitted by tick bites, which carry either the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi in North America or other Borrelia species in Europe.
General symptoms of Lyme disease include a bulls-eye rash, fever, headache, pain, and general malaise. The majority of people recover after a few weeks, but some people have symptoms (neurological, cardiovascular, fatigue, arthritis) that can last for months or even years.
Whether you are one of the ones who recover quickly or have chronic symptoms including joint pain or arthritis may be due to genetic variants that you carry.
Immune Response Against Borrelia:
The innate immune system reacts quickly to pathogens, giving us the initial inflammatory response to fight off bacterial invaders. One part of the innate immune system is the toll-like receptor (TLR) family, which helps the body to recognize specific bacteria, like Borrelia.
The simplified picture is that the innate immune system recognizes the Borrelia bacteria, raises an alarm bringing in inflammatory molecules to destroy it. It is the front line of the body’s army, quick to rise and fight a short battle.
The different genetic variations in our innate immune system contribute to our individuality. It makes sense for a population to carry different variants – some may be better at fighting off leprosy; others good at surviving cholera. While variation is good on the whole, for an individual, though, it can end up causing increased susceptibility to a pathogen like Borrelia.
Lyme Disease Genotype Report:
Not a member? Join here. Membership lets you see your data right in each article and also gives you access to the member’s only information in the Lifehacks sections.
TLR1 (Toll-like Receptor 1):
One variant in TLR1, rs5743618 or T1805G, causes a decreased TLR1 functionality for people carrying the C/C genotype. This is an advantage when it comes to leprosy and cuts the risk of severity.[ref] But when it comes to Lyme disease, this variant is linked to an increased risk of ‘antibiotic refractory Lyme arthritis’ which basically means that joints still ache after taking several rounds of antibiotics.[ref]
The C variant for rs5743618 is found in about 50% of the Caucasian population, less than 10% of African populations, and is rarely found in Asian populations.[ref]
Check your genetic data for rs5743618 (23andMe v4)
- C/C: 1.9x more likely to have antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis (but better off if you get leprosy)
- A/C: typical Lyme risk
- A/A: typical Lyme risk
Members: Your genotype for rs5743618 is —.
Check your genetic data for rs5743708 (AncestryDNA)
- A/A: less than half the risk of Lyme[ref]
- A/G: less than half the risk of Lyme
- G/G: typical Lyme risk
Members: Your genotype for rs5743708 is —.
HLA-DRB1 gene:
The HLA genes code for another part of our innate immune system known as the major histocompatibility complex. One variant, HLA-DRB1 *0401, links to a greater susceptibility to antibiotic-resistant Lyme arthritis and a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis.[ref][ref][ref][ref]
So why am I going on about the link to rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition? (Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis.)There have been quite a few different studies over the past 20 years looking at the link between Borrelia infection and subsequent autoimmune diseases.
Currently, there isn’t a definitive study concluding Borrelia causes autoimmune diseases (that I could find), but an interesting 2017 study looked at Lyme arthritis patients who developed autoimmune joint diseases within four months of getting Lyme. The study results showed: “Most systemic autoimmune patients had positive tests for B. burgdorferi IgG antibodies by ELISA, but they had significantly lower titers and lower frequencies of Lyme-associated autoantibodies than LA patients. Prior to our evaluation, the patients often received additional antibiotics for presumed Lyme arthritis without benefit. We prescribed anti-inflammatory therapies, most commonly disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), resulting in improvement.”[ref]
HLA-DRB1 *0401
Check your genetic data for rs660895 (23andMe v4, v5; AncestryDNA):
- G/G: increased risk of Lyme arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis.
- A/G: increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis
- A/A: typical risk
Members: Your genotype for rs660895 is —.
Other factors affecting Lyme:
A study found that age is a factor in susceptibility to Lyme with elderly people likely to have a less vigorous immune response to the pathogen. The study also found that BMI, gender, vitamin D levels, and previous exposure to Borrelia had no effect on Lyme susceptibility.[ref]
Lifehacks:
Antibiotics are, of course, the first line of defense against Borrelia. Your doctor can give you more information on effective antibiotics.
Herbal remedy recommendations for chronic Lyme symptoms persisting after antibiotic treatment:
The rest of this article is for Genetic Lifehacks members only. Consider joining today to see the rest of this article.
Member Content:
An active subscription is required to access this content.
Join Here for full access to this article, genotype reports, and much more!
Already a member? Log in below.
Related Articles and Topics:
Top 10 Genes to Check in Your Genetic Raw Data
Wondering what is actually important in your genetic data? These 10 genes have important variants with a big impact on health. Check your genes (free article).
HLA-B27: Genetic Variant That Increases Susceptibility to Autoimmune Diseases
Our immune system does an awesome job (most of the time) of fighting off pathogenic bacteria and viruses. But to fight off these pathogens, the body needs to know that they are the bad guys. This is where the HLA system comes in.
Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
Lyme disease affects 300,000 people a year in the US, mostly in the Northeast and upper Midwest but found in almost all states. It is also a disease that is controversial, causing heated online arguments, misunderstood patients, and sometimes wacky cures.