Charles R. Brown, Ph.D.

Professor, Veterinary Pathobiology

Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology

University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO

Lyme arthritis is a common late-stage manifestation of infection and without prompt treatment with antibiotics can persist for months or years. Inhibition of either COX or LOX metabolic pathways has little effect on the development of Lyme arthritis in mice, but does inhibit arthritis resolution. Mechanisms involving PGE₂ and LTB₄ play important, but different, roles in mediating clearance of apoptotic neutrophils from the inflamed joint and 12/15-LO products are also likely playing a role. These mechanisms and more will be discussed.