Lyme disease is a complex condition that can have long-lasting effects on patients even after treatment. A recent study found that 14% of patients treated early with antibiotics still develop Post Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD), leading to symptoms like severe fatigue, cognitive challenges, and body pain.
Researchers at Northwestern University have made a significant breakthrough in understanding why these symptoms persist. They believe that remnants of the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which causes Lyme disease, may be lingering in the liver after treatment. This lingering cell wall material triggers an unnecessary immune response in the body, similar to the mechanism behind long COVID-19.
The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, tracked the distribution of peptidoglycan from different bacteria in real time and found that Lyme disease’s peptidoglycan can persist for weeks to months. This unique feature of Lyme’s peptidoglycan may be the reason behind its persistence in humans, as it is structurally different from other bacterial peptidoglycans.
One of the common long-term impacts of Lyme disease is Lyme arthritis, which causes joint inflammation and pain. The researchers found that pieces of peptidoglycan were present in the synovial fluid of affected joints for weeks to months after treatment. This discovery suggests that the individual patient response to the molecule plays a crucial role in the clinical outcome of Lyme disease.
The researchers hope that these findings will lead to the development of more accurate tests for PTLD patients and refined treatment options for those who do not respond to antibiotics. Efforts are underway to neutralize the inflammatory molecule, peptidoglycan, using monoclonal antibodies to target it for destruction.
Overall, this research sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of Post Treatment Lyme Disease and opens up new possibilities for treating patients who continue to experience symptoms after antibiotic therapy. By understanding how remnants of the bacteria can trigger an immune response, doctors may be able to provide more tailored and effective treatments for those suffering from chronic Lyme disease symptoms.
