Treatment Of Lyme Disease Research Articles

7045 A Rare Case of Lyme-Associated Thyroiditis in an Otherwise Healthy Patient

Abstract Disclosure: M. Windham: None. S.K. Majumdar: None. Introduction: Lyme disease, a common tick-borne illness, causes multiorgan inflammation and dysfunction. It commonly affects the musculoskeletal, neurologic, cardiovascular, and integumentary systems. The endocrine system is rarely involved. We report a case of Lyme-associated thyroiditis in an otherwise healthy 41-year-old man. Case: A 41-year-old man with a history of hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux and a known BRCA2 mutation presented to the emergency department due to one week of frequent palpitations, fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and dry cough. Laboratory testing revealed thyrotoxicosis with an undetectable TSH (n 0.270—4.200 µIU/mL), FT4 of 7.04 ng/dL (n 0.80—1.70 ng/dL), and TT3 of 253 ng/dL (n 92.0—224 ng/dL). He denied any recent illnesses or pain in his thyroid. Further work up revealed negative TSI and TPO but did show an elevated high sensitivity CRP of 4.3 mg/L (n <1.0 mg/L) and a sedimentation rate of 33 mm/hr (n 0—20 mm/hr). A thyroid uptake and scan showed markedly decreased uptake suggestive of thyroiditis. The patient was started on a prednisone taper with improvement in his TFTs. At his follow up visit approximately one month later, he reported increasing stiffness in his bilateral jaw and continuing palpitations with movement despite near normalization in his FT4 and TT3, suggestive of possible underlying cardiac conduction defects. He did not recall a tick bite but lived in an area with endemic Lyme disease. Lyme antibodies were sent and returned with a positive Lyme IgG and an indeterminate Lyme IgM, which would be consistent with an active Lyme disease infection at the time of his initial presentation. Treatment for Lyme disease was prescribed. Conclusion: Between 1991 and 2021, the incidence of Lyme disease in the United States doubled due to the combined effects of climate change, increasing host species populations, and human encroachment on animal habitats. People who live in areas with endemic Lyme disease, such as the Northeast and upper Midwest regions of the United States, are at risk even if they do not recall a specific exposure. Although Lyme thyroiditis is extremely rare, its incidence is expected to increase as the overall incidence of Lyme disease increases. Therefore, it is important to consider Lyme disease in the differential when a patient from an endemic area presents with unexplained thyroiditis. Presentation: 6/2/2024

6441 Hyperthyroidism in a patient with Lyme disease

Abstract Disclosure: J. Epstein: None. C. Berman: None. Background: Lyme disease is known to cause inflammation in many organs. There are few case reports in the literature that discuss the association between Lyme disease and thyroiditis. This case underscores the need to further research the association between Lyme disease and thyroid physiology. Clinical Case: A 15-year-old female with a history of polycystic kidney disease is referred to a pediatric endocrinologist for primary amenorrhea and hyperthyroidism. Initial thyroid function tests demonstrated suppressed TSH of 0.03 mIU/L with an elevated free T4 level of 4.0 ng/dL and total T3 of 437 ng/dL. The patient was asymptomatic with normal vital signs, and physical exam was normal without goiter, tremor, tongue fasciculations, or exophthalmos. Thyroid ultrasound demonstrated a mildly heterogenous appearance without nodules. Incidentally, Lyme disease was concurrently diagnosed based on a positive screen confirmed with immunoblot. There was no known tick exposure or rash, but the patient had recently spent time outdoors in upstate New York. Doxycycline was started for the treatment of Lyme disease and repeat thyroid tests one week later showed a decrease in free T4 and total T3 levels, although still elevated. Thyroid antibodies including thyroid peroxidase (TPO), thyroglobulin and thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) were negative. After finishing doxycycline treatment, she developed a hypothyroid state with a TSH of 6.39 mIU/L, free T4 of 0.6 ng/dL, and a normal total T3 of 148 ng/dL. Free T4 has since normalized however TSH remains elevated. The patient continues to be monitored closely without pharmacologic treatment. The evolution of this patient’s thyroid function is consistent with thyroiditis and appears similar to the course of Hashitoxicosis, however antibodies remain negative. There is literature that suggests molecular mimicry between Borrelia proteins and thyroid autoantigens due to amino acid sequence homology. Some Borrelial proteins are found to share antigenic properties with multiple thyroid related proteins, specifically the TSH receptor, TPO, thyroglobulin and sodium iodine symporter, potentially leading to thyroiditis. Three case reports describe adults with hyperthyroidism in the setting of Lyme disease, however in these cases thyroid antibodies (TPO +/- thyroglobulin) were positive. Two of these patients were asymptomatic, similar to our patient. This phenomenon has never been described in a pediatric patient and illustrates the need to consider Lyme disease as a potential cause of destructive, transient, thyroiditis. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Diagnosis, Clinical Manifestations and Treatment of Lyme Disease

Diagnosis, Clinical Manifestations and Treatment of Lyme Disease

What Makes It Tick: Exploring the Mechanisms of Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.

Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), which may also be referred to incorrectly as "chronic Lyme disease," is defined by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) as the presence of fatigue, pain, and/or cognitive complaints with the functional impact that persists for more than six months after completing treatment for Lyme disease (LD). These symptoms occur in 10%-20% of patients previously diagnosed with LD caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and appropriately treated with a course of antibiotics. The symptoms of PTLDS can be easily overlooked or misdiagnosed as a psychiatric manifestation in geographic locations that rarely see LD. In contrast, geographic locations with a higher prevalence of LD may be more aware of PTLDS symptoms and have higher clinical suspicion leading to this diagnosis. The pathophysiology behind the persistent symptoms some people experience from a primary infection is still largely unknown. Some mechanisms that have been proposed include permanent tissue damage and inflammation, immune system dysfunction, autoimmune response, co-infection, and even persistent infection refractory to treatment. We propose that ongoing PTLDS symptoms seem to be related to an autoimmune response to the tissue damage and inflammation caused by the viable or nonviable spirochete pathogen. At this point, PTLDS is diagnosed clinically as no quantifiable methods are available from laboratory or tissue diagnostics as of 2024. Similar pathophysiological features of PTLDS are seen in diseases such as COVID-19 or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). More effective diagnostic approaches might include further studies looking at a possible connection in the genomes of individuals developing PTLDS, quantifiable biomarkers, common inflammatory markers/pathways, and careful histopathological studies of human tissues.

Unguarded liabilities: Borrelia burgdorferi’s complex amino acid dependence exposes unique avenues of inhibition

Recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approximate 500,000 cases of Lyme disease in the United States yearly, a significant economic burden on the healthcare system. The standard treatment for Lyme disease includes broad-spectrum antibiotics, which may be administered for extensive periods of time and result in significant impacts to the patient. Recently, we demonstrated that Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, is uniquely dependent upon peptide acquisition via an oligopeptide transport (Opp) system. This dependence appears unique to the spirochete; thus, the Opp system may constitute a novel and specific target for the inhibition of B. burgdorferi. For proof of concept, we conducted a pilot screen to determine if the Opp system constitutes a viable inhibitor target. OppA2 was utilized as our target protein as it is the most prolific peptide-binding protein throughout the enzootic cycle. We validated a thermal shift assay (TSA) to detect ligand binding against OppA2 and performed a high-throughput screen of 2,240 molecules from a diversity set library. The TSA results identified eight compounds (C1–8) demonstrating potential binding to OppA2, and growth assays identified C2 and C7 as inhibitors of B. burgdorferi growth. We confirmed by TSA that these two compounds interact with additional B. burgdorferi OppAs, potentially resulting in a cumulative inhibitory effect. Additionally, we showed that these compounds have no effect on Escherichia coli, a bacterium that encodes a dispensable Opp system which serves only as an ancillary nutrient transporter. These data demonstrate that the Opp system of B. burgdorferi acts as a viable drug target, with the potential for targeting multiple OppAs with a single compound. Moreover, the lack of inhibition against E. coli suggests that selective targeting of B. burgdorferi via the Opp system may be possible.

A prospective study of patients with post treatment Lyme disease syndrome treated with modified VFEM energy.

We previously demonstrated a possible therapeutic benefit of VFEM (variable frequency electromagnetic energy) technology for the treatment of Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) or Chronic Lyme Disease (CLD). As a result, we prospectively enrolled 10 patients, all having significant debility, to determine to what extent we could improve their quality of life. Eight patients completed the 10 treatments. All eight patients had a significant improvement in quality of life within a 4-month time frame. VFEM is a stand-alone modality that appears to demonstrate a significant improvement in quality of life in PTLDS or CLD with little or no risk or side effects of treatment.

By-degree Health and Economic Impacts of Lyme Disease, Eastern and Midwestern United States

Lyme disease (LD) is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States (U.S.). This paper assesses how climate change may influence LD incidence in the eastern and upper Midwestern U.S. and the associated economic burden. We estimated future Ixodes scapularis habitat suitability and LD incidence with a by-degree approach using variables from an ensemble of multiple climate models. We then applied estimates for present-day and projected habitat suitability for I. scapularis, present-day presence of Borrelia burgdorferi, and projected climatological variables to model reported LD incidence at the county level among adults, children, and the total population. Finally, we applied an estimate of healthcare expenses to project economic impacts. We show an overall increase in LD cases with regional variation. We estimate an increase in incidence in New England and the upper Midwestern U.S. and a concurrent decrease in incidence in Virginia and North Carolina. At 3°C of national warming from the 1986–2015 baseline climate, we project approximately 55,000 LD cases, a 38-percent increase from present-day estimates. At 6°C of warming, our most extreme scenario, we project approximately 92,000 LD cases in the region, an increase of 145 percent relative to current levels. Annual LD-related healthcare expenses at 3°C of warming are estimated to be $236 million (2021 dollars), approximately 38 percent greater than present-day. These results may inform decision-makers tasked with addressing climate risks, the public, and healthcare professionals preparing for treatment and prevention of LD.

Screening Marine Microbial Metabolites as Promising Inhibitors of Borrelia garinii: A Structural Docking Approach towards Developing Novel Lyme Disease Treatment.

Lyme disease caused by the Borrelia species is a growing health concern in many parts of the world. Current treatments for the disease may have side effects, and there is also a need for new therapies that can selectively target the bacteria. Pathogens responsible for Lyme disease include B. burgdorferi, B. afzelii, and B. garinii. In this study, we employed structural docking-based screening to identify potential lead-like inhibitors against the bacterium. We first identified the core essential genome fraction of the bacterium, using 37 strains. Later, we screened a library of lead-like marine microbial metabolites (n = 4730) against the arginine deiminase (ADI) protein of Borrelia garinii. This protein plays a crucial role in the survival of the bacteria, and inhibiting it can kill the bacterium. The prioritized lead compounds demonstrating favorable binding energies and interactions with the active site of ADI were then evaluated for their drug-like and pharmacokinetic parameters to assess their suitability for development as drugs. Results from molecular dynamics simulation (100 ns) and other scoring parameters suggest that the compound CMNPD18759 (common name: aureobasidin; IUPAC name: 2-[(4R,6R)-4,6-dihydroxydecanoyl]oxypropan-2-yl (3S,5R)-3,5-dihydroxydecanoate) holds promise as a potential drug candidate for the treatment of Lyme disease, caused by B. garinii. However, further experimental studies are needed to validate the efficacy and safety of this compound in vivo.

Advancements In Diagnostics, Treatments and Precision Medicines of Lyme Diseases – A Review

The incidence of Lyme disease, which is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by ticks in 77% of cases, has significantly increased. Skin rashes, neurological, dermatological, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal problems are all brought on by the illness. Ten to twenty percent of individuals with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) do not improve after receiving treatment. It is essential to comprehend the traits of Borrelia burgdorferi in order to create Lyme disease diagnostic equipment and treatments. Since North America has the highest prevalence of infected black-legged ticks, the disease is spread by their bite. Preventing health issues requires early detection and treatment. Lyme disease is diagnosed using diagnostic methods such as PCR, qPCR, RT-PCR, NAATs, NGS, and multiplex PCR panels. Lyme arthritis treatment, longer courses of oral antibiotics, intravenous antibiotics, and post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome are among the treatments available. Precision medicine, also known as customized medicine, tries to modify medical judgments and treatments for specific patients in light of their distinctive genetic makeup, way of life, and environment. The future treatment of Lyme disease will comprise better diagnostic equipment, sophisticated imaging methods, precision medicine, individualized vaccination plans, and patient-centered research.

Cellular and transcriptome signatures unveiled by single-cell RNA-Seq following ex vivo infection of murine splenocytes with Borrelia burgdorferi.

Lyme disease, the most common tick-borne infectious disease in the US, is caused by a spirochetal pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Distinct host responses are observed in susceptible and resistant strains of inbred of mice following infection with Bb reflecting a subset of inflammatory responses observed in human Lyme disease. The advent of post-genomic methodologies and genomic data sets enables dissecting the host responses to advance therapeutic options for limiting the pathogen transmission and/or treatment of Lyme disease. In this study, we used single-cell RNA-Seq analysis in conjunction with mouse genomics exploiting GFP-expressing Bb to sort GFP+ splenocytes and GFP- bystander cells to uncover novel molecular and cellular signatures that contribute to early stages of immune responses against Bb. These data decoded the heterogeneity of splenic neutrophils, macrophages, NK cells, B cells, and T cells in C3H/HeN mice in response to Bb infection. Increased mRNA abundance of apoptosis-related genes was observed in neutrophils and macrophages clustered from GFP+ splenocytes. Moreover, complement-mediated phagocytosis-related genes such as C1q and Ficolin were elevated in an inflammatory macrophage subset, suggesting upregulation of these genes during the interaction of macrophages with Bb-infected neutrophils. In addition, the role of DUSP1 in regulating the expression of Casp3 and pro-inflammatory cytokines Cxcl1, Cxcl2, Il1b, and Ccl5 in Bb-infected neutrophils were identified. These findings serve as a growing catalog of cell phenotypes/biomarkers among murine splenocytes that can be exploited for limiting spirochetal burden to limit the transmission of the agent of Lyme disease to humans via reservoir hosts.

Time to Diagnosis and Treatment of Lyme Disease by Patient Race

Time to Diagnosis and Treatment of Lyme Disease by Patient Race

Рідкісні форми ураження очей при хворобі Лайма в дітей

Lyme disease (LD) is a multisystem disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and other similar tick-borne borrelia. Purpose - to analyse and present clinical cases of eye lesions in children with suspected LD for differential diagnosis and treatment refinement. We present 2 clinical cases with ocular lesions in children of infectious genesis with suspected LD. Basic examinations, ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography with angiography, clinical and immunological tests, including ELISA and immunoblot, were performed. Serological results were compared in children with different forms of eye lesions of infectious genesis. Conclusions. The diagnosis of LD should be confirmed by laboratory tests (ELISA and western blot serological tests), indicating the presence of specific anti Borrelia burgdorferi IgM/IgG antibodies, and confirming the clinical manifestations of the disease. Paediatricians should be alert to LD, especially in residents of endemic areas. The need for prophylactic treatment of LD in children exposed to tick bites has been proven. The diagnosis of LB in children should be laboratory confirmed by a two-step method (ELISA serological tests and western blot), which confirms the clinical manifestations of the disease. The study was performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent of parents and child was obtained for the study. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

886. Impact of Race on the Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Lyme Disease

Abstract Background Previous studies using single-state and Medicare surveillance data found that Black patients with Lyme Disease (LD) are more likely to present outside of the typical summer months and have higher rates of disseminated disease at diagnosis. We further explored differences in clinical presentation and early treatment of Lyme Disease by self-reported race among a large cohort of patients at an academic research clinic. Methods We abstracted data from all patients with untreated or post-treatment LD seen at the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center (LDRC)—either for clinical care or research participation. Patients self-reported their demographics, and clinical information regarding their initial Lyme presentation was either recorded at the time of diagnosis or was abstracted from prior, external medical records. We examined the distribution of race across initial LD clinical presentations—categorized as 1) erythema migrans (EM) rash only, 2) disseminated disease, or 3) non-specific symptoms only—using chi-squared or Fisher’s exact test and fit logistic regression models. We compared racial differences in time to appropriate treatment using a one-sided Mann-Whitney test. Results Of 1363 individuals seen at the LDRC, 93% were white, 3% were Black, 2% were Asian, and 3% self-identified as either ‘other’ or more than one race. Compared to white patients, Black patients were less likely to present with erythema migrans (EM) rash (p < 0.0001) and more likely to present with disseminated disease or non-specific symptoms (p=0.009, p=0.019, respectively). Black patients were more likely to have received a course of inappropriate antibiotic therapy ( 16.7% vs 8.0 %, p= 0.058). Also, Black patients with EM rash experienced longer time to appropriate treatment (16.3 days vs 4.0, p=0.062). Number of asterisks indicates degree of statistical significance. N/S means "non-significant" Conclusion We identified several racial disparities in the early detection and treatment of Lyme Disease, highlighting the need for increased awareness of Lyme and its early manifestations among patients of color and the front-line clinicians who care for them. Because darker skin tones are generally under-represented in medical textbooks and patient education materials, we include several examples of EM rashes from Black patients seen at the LDRC (Figure 2). Disclosures John Aucott, MD, Pfizer, Inc.: Advisor/Consultant

The structure of a hibernating ribosome in a Lyme disease pathogen

The spirochete bacterial pathogen Borrelia (Borreliella) burgdorferi (Bbu) affects more than 10% of the world population and causes Lyme disease in about half a million people in the US annually. Therapy for Lyme disease includes antibiotics that target the Bbu ribosome. Here we present the structure of the Bbu 70S ribosome obtained by single particle cryo-electron microscopy at 2.9 Å resolution, revealing a bound hibernation promotion factor protein and two genetically non-annotated ribosomal proteins bS22 and bL38. The ribosomal protein uL30 in Bbu has an N-terminal α-helical extension, partly resembling the mycobacterial bL37 protein, suggesting evolution of bL37 and a shorter uL30 from a longer uL30 protein. Its analogy to proteins uL30m and mL63 in mammalian mitochondrial ribosomes also suggests a plausible evolutionary pathway for expansion of protein content in mammalian mitochondrial ribosomes. Computational binding free energy predictions for antibiotics reflect subtle distinctions in antibiotic-binding sites in the Bbu ribosome. Discovery of these features in the Bbu ribosome may enable better ribosome-targeted antibiotic design for Lyme disease treatment.

Doxycycline for the Treatment of Lyme Disease in Young Children.

Doxycycline is considered the first-line treatment of Lyme disease in adolescents and adults, but largely disproven concerns of permanent tooth staining prevented its use and evaluation in children <8 years old. We sought to describe short-term adverse effects and treatment failures among young children receiving oral doxycycline for Lyme disease. We completed a 2-pronged evaluation of children with Lyme disease treated with doxycycline. We performed a retrospective case series of patients <8 years old who were diagnosed with Lyme disease and treated with doxycycline. We then performed a telephone follow-up survey study of the patients' parents to gather additional details regarding clinical outcomes and adverse reactions to doxycycline. Descriptive statistics were calculated. A total of 32 patients were identified through the retrospective case series and 18 participated in the follow-up survey. The most common clinical diagnosis (22/32; 69%) was single erythema migrans. Seven (22%) had neurological Lyme disease. Three patients (9%) stopped doxycycline treatment prematurely due to adverse effects. During telephone follow-up, 2 children were reported to have dental staining. No patients were identified with treatment failure during the retrospective case series. On telephone follow-up, 3 patients had residual symptoms after treatment, though none were convincing of treatment failure. Our study suggests that doxycycline is generally well-tolerated and an effective treatment of Lyme disease in young children. Prospective, observational studies with long-term assessment of dental staining and clinical outcomes are needed. Alternative antibiotics, principally amoxicillin, remain the preferred treatment of non-neurological Lyme disease manifestations in young children, but doxycycline is likely a safe and effective alternative when needed.

Diagnosis and treatment of “chronic Lyme”: primum non nocere

BackgroundApproximately 10% of patients experience prolonged symptoms after Lyme disease. PTLDS (post treatment Lyme disease syndrome) is a controversial topic. It has been described as a source of overdiagnosis and off-label treatment. This review aims to describe the diagnostic errors and adverse events associated with the diagnosis and treatment of PTLDS.Methodssystematic review of the literature in the Medline and Cochrane Library databases, according to PRISMA criteria, including randomized clinical trials (RCT), observational studies, and case reports addressing diagnostic errors and adverse events published between January 2010 and November 2020 in English or French. Selection used a quadruple reading process on the basis of the titles and abstracts of the different articles, followed by a full reading.Results17 studies were included: 1 RCT, 6 observational studies and 10 case reports. In the 6 observational studies, overdiagnosis rates were very high, ranging from 80 to 100%. The new diagnoses were often psychiatric, rheumatological and neurological. Disorders with somatic symptoms were often cited. Diagnostic delays were identified for cancers and frontoparietal dementia. In the RCT and observational studies, prolonged anti-infective treatments were also responsible for adverse events, with emergency room visits and/or hospitalization. The most common adverse events were diarrhea, sometimes with Clostridium difficile colitis, electrolyte abnormalities, sepsis, bacterial and fungal infections, and anaphylactic reactions.ConclusionThis review highlights the risks of prolonged anti-infective treatments that have not been proven to be beneficial in PTLDS. It emphasizes the ethical imperative of the “primum non nocere” principle, which underscores the importance of not causing harm to patients. Physicians should exercise caution in diagnosing PTLDS and consider the potential risks associated with off-label treatments.

Infectious Neuropathies.

This article discusses the clinical manifestations and management of infectious peripheral neuropathies. Several infectious etiologies of peripheral neuropathy are well-recognized and their treatments are firmly established. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is associated with several central and peripheral nervous system manifestations, including peripheral neuropathies. Additionally, some COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome. These disorders are an active area of surveillance and research. Recent evidence-based guidelines have provided updated recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. Infectious agents of many types (primarily bacteria and viruses) can affect the peripheral nerves, resulting in various clinical syndromes such as mononeuropathy or mononeuropathy multiplex, distal symmetric polyneuropathy, radiculopathy, inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, and motor neuronopathy. Knowledge of these infections and the spectrum of peripheral nervous system disorders associated with them is essential because many have curative treatments. Furthermore, understanding the neuropathic presentations of these disorders may assist in diagnosing the underlying infection.

Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Pediatric Lyme disease

Lyme disease remains a significant public health challenge in the United States, particularly in the Northeast and Midwest regions, and is likely to increase in the coming years with population growth to suburban areas and warmer weather. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, that is transmitted to humans through deer ticks. The presentation of Lyme disease can involve multiple systems with dermatologic, neurologic, rheumatologic, and cardiac symptoms commonly described. However, there is substantial variation in the presentation of Lyme disease, creating a challenge to diagnosis and treatment. The standard treatment for Lyme disease is administration of antibacterial agents. Although the majority of pediatric patients achieve symptom resolution with treatment, a subset continues to experience fatigue, pain, and psychological disturbances known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. Prevention of Lyme disease largely relies on behavioral measures such as wearing long sleeves and pants and checking for ticks given the absence of an effective vaccine. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment is also highly effective for children who have experienced a Ixodes tick bite, occurring in an endemic region with tick attachment for at least 36 hours. Although Lyme disease disproportionately impacts children, the existing literature primarily focuses on its presentation in adults. In this review, we summarize the latest literature surrounding the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Lyme disease with a specific emphasis on pediatric populations and the recent advancements in vaccine development.

Lyme Disease Knowledge, Practices, and Vaccine Acceptability Among Nurse Practitioners in Pediatric Practice

Lyme disease (LD) is a major public health problem in the United States. Given its incidence and geographic expansion, nurse practitioners (NPs) will likely encounter patients with this condition. NPs were invited to participate in an electronic survey via email, newsletter, and social media posts. The 31-question survey collected information on provider characteristics, clinical scenario decisions, resources used, and vaccine sentiment for LD. Survey participants (n=606) were primarily cisgender female (75%) and aged 30-49 years (62%). Responding to six hypothetical clinical scenarios, only 31% of participants answered most questions correctly. If an LD vaccine becomes available, 39% said they would incorporate it into practice; 48% would seek further information before deciding. Additional education on LD prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is needed for NPs. Increasing provider awareness of current guidelines and developing tailored resources for NPs may improve patient care.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Longer versus Shorter Pulsed High Dose Dapsone Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Lyme Disease/Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome with Bartonellosis and Associated Coinfections.

Twenty-five patients with relapsing and remitting Borreliosis, Babesiosis, and bartonellosis despite extended anti-infective therapy were prescribed double-dose dapsone combination therapy (DDDCT), followed by one or several courses of High Dose Dapsone Combination Therapy (HDDCT). A retrospective chart review of these 25 patients undergoing DDDCT therapy and HDDCT demonstrated that 100% improved their tick-borne symptoms, and patients completing 6-7 day pulses of HDDCT had superior levels of improvement versus 4-day pulses if Bartonella was present. At the completion of treatment, 7/23 (30.5%) who completed 8 weeks of DDDCT followed by a 5-7 day pulse of HDDCT remained in remission for 3-9 months, and 3/23 patients (13%) who recently finished treatment were 1 ½ months in full remission. In conclusion, DDDCT followed by 6-7 day pulses of HDDCT could represent a novel, effective anti-infective strategy in chronic Lyme disease/Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) and associated co-infections, including Bartonella, especially in individuals who have failed standard antibiotic protocols.