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Dersch R, Torbahn G, Rauer S. Treatment of post-treatment Lyme disease symptoms-a systematic review. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16293. [PMID: 38606630 PMCID: PMC11235603 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Residual symptoms after treatment of Lyme disease, sometimes called post-treatment Lyme disease symptoms (PTLDs), are a matter of ongoing controversy. To guide treatment recommendations, a systematic review was performed of the available literature on specific treatment for PTLDs. METHODS A systematic literature search of MEDLINE and CENTRAL was performed. No restrictions on case definitions, study types or specific interventions were applied to enable a comprehensive overview of the available literature. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tools for randomized controlled trials. Certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Outcomes of interest were quality of life, fatigue, depression and cognition as well as adverse events. RESULTS After screening 1274 records, eight eligible randomized controlled trials were included. Heterogeneity was observed regarding inclusion criteria, intervention, length of treatment and outcome measures. For efficacy outcomes, results are presented narratively due to heterogeneity. Eligible studies show no statistically significant difference between antibiotics and placebo regarding quality of life, cognition and depression. Results for fatigue were inconsistent whilst studies with low risk of bias showed no statistically significant difference between antibiotics and placebo. Meta-analysis of safety outcomes showed statistically significantly more adverse events for antibiotics compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS Available literature on treatment of PTLDs is heterogeneous, but overall shows evidence of no effect of antibiotics regarding quality of life, depression, cognition and fatigue whilst showing more adverse events. Patients with suspected PTLDs should not be treated with antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick Dersch
- Clinic of Neurology and NeurophysiologyMedical Center—University of FreiburgFaculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Gabriel Torbahn
- Department of PediatricsParacelsus Medical UniversityKlinikum NürnbergUniversitätsklinik der Paracelsus Medizinischen Privatuniversität NürnbergNurembergGermany
| | - Sebastian Rauer
- Clinic of Neurology and NeurophysiologyMedical Center—University of FreiburgFaculty of MedicineUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
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Eikeland R, Henningsson AJ, Lebech AM, Kerlefsen Y, Mavin S, Vrijlandt A, Hovius JW, Lernout T, Lim C, Dobler G, Fingerle V, Gynthersen RM, Lindgren PE, Reiso H. Tick-borne diseases in the North Sea region-A comprehensive overview and recommendations for diagnostics and treatment. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2024; 15:102306. [PMID: 38183851 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
As part of the NorthTick project, co-funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund and the North Sea Region Programme, specialists in the field of tick-borne diseases from seven North Sea countries co-operated with patient organisations and governmental health care institutions to provide this comprehensive overview of diagnostics and treatment recommendations in the region for Lyme borreliosis, Borrelia miyamotoi infection, tick-borne encephalitis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, rickettsiosis, neoehrlichiosis and babesiosis. The main conclusion is that the recommendations in these northern countries are essentially the same, with very few differences. This overview presents the current diagnostics and provides useful clinical guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randi Eikeland
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tick-Borne Diseases, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway; Faculty of Health and Sport science, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway.
| | - Anna J Henningsson
- Division of Inflammation and Infection, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; National Reference Laboratory for Borreliosis and Other Tick-Borne Bacteria, Clinical Microbiology, Laboratory Medicine, Region Jönköping County, Sweden
| | - Anne-Mette Lebech
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yvonne Kerlefsen
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tick-Borne Diseases, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Sally Mavin
- Scottish Lyme Disease and Tick-borne Infections Reference Laboratory, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, UK
| | - Amber Vrijlandt
- Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC Multidisciplinary Lyme borreliosis Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joppe W Hovius
- Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC Multidisciplinary Lyme borreliosis Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tinne Lernout
- Sciensano Epidemiology of infectious diseases, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Chin Lim
- Scottish Lyme Disease and Tick-borne Infections Reference Laboratory, Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, UK
| | - Gerhard Dobler
- Nationales Konsiliarlabor FSME, Institut für Mikrobiologie der Bundeswehr, Munich, Germany
| | - Volker Fingerle
- German National Reference Center for Borreliae, Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Rosa M Gynthersen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Denmark
| | | | - Harald Reiso
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Tick-Borne Diseases, Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway
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Dersch R, Rauer S. Efficacy and safety of pharmacological treatments for Lyme neuroborreliosis: An updated systematic review. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:3780-3788. [PMID: 37565386 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence-based recommendations for treatment of Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) should rely on the available literature. As new data emerges, close review and evaluation of the recent literature is needed to build evidence-based recommendations to inform clinical practice and management of LNB. We performed an update of a previous systematic review on treatment of LNB. METHODS A systematic literature search of Medline and CENTRAL was performed for published studies from 2015 to 2023 to update a previous systematic review. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (NRS) were evaluated. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tools for RCTs; NRS were assessed using the ROBINS-I-tool. Quality of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Data were integrated into an existing meta-analysis of the available literature. RESULTS After screening 1530 records, two RCTs and five NRS with new and relevant data were additionally identified. Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant difference between doxycycline and beta-lactam antibiotics regarding residual neurological symptoms after 12 months. Meta-analysis showed no benefit of extended antibiotic treatment of LNB. Three NRS show no benefit for additional steroid use in LNB with facial palsy. DISCUSSION Additional incorporated recent research corroborates existing guideline recommendations for treatment of LNB. New RCTs add to the certainty of previous analysis showing similar efficacy for doxycycline and beta-lactam antibiotics in LNB. Available evidence shows no benefit for extended antibiotic treatment in LNB. NRS do not suggest a role for steroids in facial palsy due to LNB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick Dersch
- Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rauer
- Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Disulfiram: Mechanisms, Applications, and Challenges. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:antibiotics12030524. [PMID: 36978391 PMCID: PMC10044060 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12030524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Since disulfiram’s discovery in the 1940s and its FDA approval for alcohol use disorder, other indications have been investigated. This review describes potential clinical applications, associated risks, and challenges. Methods: For this narrative review, a PubMed search was conducted for articles addressing in vivo studies of disulfiram with an emphasis on drug repurposing for the treatment of human diseases. The key search terms were “disulfiram” and “Antabuse”. Animal studies and in vitro studies highlighting important mechanisms and safety issues were also included. Results: In total, 196 sources addressing our research focus spanning 1948–2022 were selected for inclusion. In addition to alcohol use disorder, emerging data support a potential role for disulfiram in the treatment of other addictions (e.g., cocaine), infections (e.g., bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Borrelia burgdorferi, viruses, parasites), inflammatory conditions, neurological diseases, and cancers. The side effects range from minor to life-threatening, with lower doses conveying less risk. Caution in human use is needed due to the considerable inter-subject variability in disulfiram pharmacokinetics. Conclusions: While disulfiram has promise as a “repurposed” agent in human disease, its risk profile is of concern. Animal studies and well-controlled clinical trials are needed to assess its safety and efficacy for non-alcohol-related indications.
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The Role of the Infectious Disease Consultation in Lyme Disease. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2022; 36:703-718. [PMID: 36116844 DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A consultation regarding Lyme disease can be challenging for the infectious disease physician when the referral question centers on the use of prolonged or empirical antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease and associated tick-borne infections. Patients who have been infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, and many who have been misdiagnosed, are confronted with a seemingly endless array of misinformation that is not in keeping with the current understanding of the clinical spectrum of Lyme disease and its response to evidence-based treatment. Preparing for these conversations with a good grasp of the public beliefs regarding Lyme disease and its treatment can be beneficial.
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Abstract
Most patients with Lyme disease will fully recover with recommended antibiotic therapy. However, some patients report persisting nonspecific symptoms after treatment, referred to as posttreatment Lyme disease symptoms (PTLDs) or syndrome (PTLDS), depending on the degree to which the individual's symptoms impact their quality of life. PTLDs occur in a portion of patients diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease (CLD), a controversial term describing different patient populations, diagnosed based on unvalidated tests and criteria. Practitioners should review the evidence for the Lyme disease diagnosis and not overlook unrelated conditions. Current evidence shows that prolonged antibiotic therapy provides little benefit and carries significant risk. Further research to elucidate the mechanisms underlying persistent symptoms after Lyme disease and to understand CLD is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Marques
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, BG 10 RM 12C118 MSC 1888 10 Center, Bethesda, MD 20892-1888, USA.
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Halperin JJ, Eikeland R, Branda JA, Dersch R. Lyme neuroborreliosis: known knowns, known unknowns. Brain 2022; 145:2635-2647. [PMID: 35848861 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme borreliosis affects the nervous system in three principal ways-mononuclear cell meningitis, cranial neuropathies and radiculoneuropathies-the last a broad term encompassing painful radiculopathy, unifocal and multifocal peripheral nerve involvement. Diagnostic tools have been significantly refined-including improved peripheral blood and CSF serodiagnostics-and much has been learned about the interactions between the causative pathogen and the nervous system. Despite these advances in our understanding of this disease, a broad range of other disorders continue to be misattributed to nervous system Lyme borreliosis, supported by, at best, limited evidence. These misattributions often reflect limited understanding not only of Lyme neuroborreliosis but also of what constitutes nervous system disease generally. Fortunately, a large body of evidence now exists to clarify many of these issues, establishing a clear basis for diagnosing nervous system involvement in this infection and, based on well performed studies, clarifying which clinical disorders are associated with Lyme neuroborreliosis, which with non-neurologic Lyme borreliosis, and which with neither.
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Affiliation(s)
- John J Halperin
- Department of Neurosciences, Overlook Medical Center, 99 Beauvoir Ave., Summit, NJ 07901, USA.,Department of Medicine, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.,Department of Neurology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Randi Eikeland
- National Advisory on Tick-borne Diseases, Sørlandet Hospital Trust, Egvsveien 100, 4615 Kristiansand, Norway.,Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Agder, 4879 Grimstad, Norway
| | - John A Branda
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.,Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Rick Dersch
- Clinic of Neurology and Neurophysiology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
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