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Shere-Wolfe KD, George N, Al Kibria GM, Silk R, Alexander CS. A Multimodal Ayurveda and Mind-Body Therapeutic Intervention for Chronic Symptoms Attributed to a Postinfectious Syndrome: A Pilot Study. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE 2024; 30:450-458. [PMID: 37844086 DOI: 10.1089/jicm.2023.0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Evaluate feasibility and impact of a multimodal integrative therapeutic intervention in patients presenting with chronic symptoms attributed to a postinfectious syndrome. Design: This was a prospective longitudinal single-center pilot study conducted from January 2019 to December 2020. Setting/Location: University of Maryland Lyme Program, Baltimore Maryland. Subjects: Persons presenting for Lyme evaluation for symptoms attributed to Lyme disease. Interventions: Participants attended two 1-h individual instructional sessions consisting of Ayurveda-based dietary intervention and breath-coordinated mind-body practice to be used for home practice. Outcome measures: Standard measures of impact were obtained at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months using the following validated survey instruments: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), PROMIS Global Health v1.2 (GH), and PROMIS 29 v2.0 survey. Results: From 216 patients presenting for Lyme evaluation, 19 participants enrolled with 84% completing the study (N = 16). Baseline PROMIS GH scores consisting of general Physical Health (GPH) and general Mental Health (GMH) scores were lower in the study population than in the general U.S. population. PROMIS 29 scores were higher for fatigue, anxiety, and pain than those in the general U.S. population. Over 12-month period, improvement in both the GPH and GMH was 6.09 (confidence interval [95% CI] = 2.71-9.46; p < 0.001) and 4.65 (95% CI = 1.50-7.80; p = 0.004), respectively. PROMIS 29 scores showed the greatest improvement in fatigue at -7.91 (95% CI = -12.34 to -3.48; p < 0.001), pain interference -5.08 (95% CI = -9.20 to -0.96; p = 0.016), and ability to participate in social roles and activities 7.48 (95% CI = 3.21-11.75; p = 0.001) and least with depression -1.82 (95% CI = -4.74 to 1.10; p = 0.223). Employment status had significant effects on almost all outcome scores. Postinfectious state was associated with improvement in anxiety and PSS scores. Conclusions: A multimodal Ayurvedic and breath-coordinated mind-body therapeutic intervention is feasible and a potential nonpharmacologic therapeutic option for persons presenting with pain, stress, fatigue, physical dysfunction, and sleep disturbance attributed to a postinfectious syndrome. Further research is needed to determine efficacy in this population and in other groups with similar symptom complexes due to postinfectious syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalpana D Shere-Wolfe
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nivya George
- Department of Biostatistics, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Gulam Muhammed Al Kibria
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rachel Silk
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carla S Alexander
- Clinical Care and Research Division, Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Willems R, Verhaeghe N, Perronne C, Borgermans L, Annemans L. Cost of illness in patients with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome in Belgium. Eur J Public Health 2023; 33:668-674. [PMID: 36972275 PMCID: PMC10393486 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckad045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A proportion of patients with Lyme borreliosis (LB) report long-term persisting signs and symptoms, even after recommended antibiotic treatment, which is termed post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). Consensus on guidance regarding diagnosis and treatment is currently lacking. Consequently, patients suffer and are left searching for answers, negatively impacting their quality of life and healthcare expenditure. Yet, health economic data on PTLDS remain scarce. The aim of this article is therefore to assess the cost-of-illness related to PTLDS, including the patient perspective. METHODS PTLDS patients (N = 187) with confirmed diagnosis of LB were recruited by a patient organization. Patients completed a self-reported questionnaire on LB-related healthcare utilization, absence from work and unemployment. Unit costs (reference year 2018) were obtained from national databases and published literature. Mean costs and uncertainty intervals were calculated via bootstrapping. Data were extrapolated to the Belgian population. Generalized linear models were used to determine associated covariates with total direct costs and out-of-pocket expenditures. RESULTS Mean annual direct costs amounted to €4618 (95% CI €4070-5152), of which 49.5% were out-of-pocket expenditures. Mean annual indirect costs amounted to €36 081 (€31 312-40 923). Direct and indirect costs at the population level were estimated at €19.4 and 151.5 million, respectively. A sickness or disability benefit as source of income was associated with higher direct and out-of-pocket costs. CONCLUSIONS The economic burden associated with PTLDS on patients and society is substantial, with patients consuming large amounts of non-reimbursed healthcare resources. Guidance on adequate diagnosis and treatment of PTLDS is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Willems
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Interuniversity Centre for Health Economics Research (I-CHER), Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Nick Verhaeghe
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Interuniversity Centre for Health Economics Research (I-CHER), Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Christian Perronne
- Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital Raymond Poincaré, APHP, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-Paris Saclay, Garches, France
| | - Liesbeth Borgermans
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Interuniversity Centre for Health Economics Research (I-CHER), Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Lieven Annemans
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Interuniversity Centre for Health Economics Research (I-CHER), Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
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Thompson A, Hynicka LM, Shere-Wolfe KD. A Comprehensive Review of Herbal Supplements Used for Persistent Symptoms Attributed to Lyme Disease. Integr Med (Encinitas) 2023; 22:30-38. [PMID: 37101730 PMCID: PMC10124234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Context Lyme disease is the most common, tick-borne disease in the USA. While most patients successfully recover with antibiotics, some patients experience persistent symptoms for months to years. Patients who attribute chronic symptoms to Lyme disease commonly use herbal supplements. The complexity, variability in dose and formulation, and lack of data for these herbal compounds make it difficult to assess their efficacy and safety. Objective This review examines the evidence for the antimicrobial activity, safety, and drug-drug interactions of 18 herbal supplements that patients commonly use for treatment of persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease. Design The research team performed a narrative review by searching the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Natural Medicines databases, and NCCIH website. The search used the keywords for 18 herbal compounds: (1) andrographis (Andrographis paniculate), (2) astragalus (Astragalus propinquus), (3) berberine, (4) cat's claw bark (Uncaria tomentosa), (5) cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis), (6) cryptolepis (Cryptolepis sanguinolenta), (7) Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis), (8) garlic (Allium sativum), (9) Japanese knotwood (Polygonum cuspidatum), (10) reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum), (11) sarsaparilla (Smilax medica), (12) Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), (13) sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), (14) teasle root (Dipsacus fullonum), (15) lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), (16) oil of oregano (Origanum vulgare), (17) peppermint (Mentha x piperita), and (18) thyme (Thymus vulgaris). The team also searched for terms related to protocols, including Dr. Rawls' protocol and the Buhner protocol. Setting University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore MD. Results Seven of the 18 herbs reviewed had evidence for in-vitro activity against B. burgdorferi. These compounds included: (1) cat's claw (2) cryptolepis, (3) Chinese skullcap, (4) Japanese knotweed, (5) sweet wormwood, (6) thyme, and (7) oil of oregano. With the exception of oil of oregano these compounds also have anti-inflammatory activity. In vivo data and clinical trials are lacking. Clinicians should be cautious as many of the identified compounds have drug interactions and additive effects that could lead to increased risks for bleeding, hypotension, and hypoglycemia. Conclusions Many of the herbs that alternative and integrative practitioners use to treat Lyme disease have anti-inflammatory effects that may contribute to patients' perceptions of symptomatic improvement. Some herbs have limited demonstrated anti-borrelial activity in vitro, but in-vivo data and clinical trial data is lacking. Further research is required to determine the efficacy, safety and appropriate use of these herbs for this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lauren M. Hynicka
- Associate professor of Pharmacotherapy Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kalpana D. Shere-Wolfe
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Lutaud R, Verger P, Peretti-Watel P, Eldin C. When the patient is making the (wrong?) diagnosis: a biographical approach to patients consulting for presumed Lyme disease. Fam Pract 2022:cmac116. [PMID: 36267023 PMCID: PMC9619758 DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmac116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Media coverage of Lyme disease (LD) has led to an increase in consultations for presumed LD in Europe. However, LD is confirmed in only 10%-20% of patients, with a significant number remaining in a diagnostic dead-end. OBJECTIVES To reach a deeper understanding of how patients themselves contribute to the diagnostic process. To describe the genesis of the LD hypothesis in care pathways. METHODS In 2019, 30 patients from a prospective cohort consulting in the infectious diseases department at University Hospital in Marseille for presumed LD were recruited for semistructured interviews. The inclusion criteria were: suffering from subjective symptoms for 6 months, no clinical or paraclinical argument suggesting current LD. The patients' medical trajectories were collected using a biographical approach. RESULTS The diagnosis of LD was primarily triggered by identification with personal testimonies found on the Internet. Most of patients were leading their own diagnostic investigation. The majority of participants were convinced they had LD despite the lack of medical evidence and the scepticism of their referring GP. CONCLUSION GPs should first systematically explore patients' aetiologic representations in order to improve adherence to the diagnosis especially in the management of medically unexplained symptoms. Long COVID-19 syndrome challenge offers an opportunity to promote active patient involvement in diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Lutaud
- Department of General Practice, Aix Marseille University, Marseille, France
- UMR UMR 7268 ADES, EFS, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
- ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Pierre Verger
- ORS PACA, Observatoire régional de la santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Marseille, France
| | | | - Carole Eldin
- UMR UVE, Aix Marseille University, IRD, Inserm, Marseille, France
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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
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in North America and Europe. The etiologic agent, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, is transmitted to humans by certain species of Ixodes ticks, which are found widely in temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere. Clinical features are diverse but death is rare. The risk of human infection is determined by the distribution and abundance of vector ticks, ecologic factors influencing tick infection rates, and human behaviors that promote tick bite. Rates of infection are highest among children aged 5 to 15 years and adults aged more than 50 years. In the northeastern United States where disease is most common, exposure occurs primarily in areas immediately around the home. Knowledge of disease epidemiology is important for patient management and proper diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Mead
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-borne Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 3156 Rampart Road, Ft Collins, CO 80521, USA.
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7
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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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Kobayashi T, Higgins Y, Melia MT, Auwaerter PG. Mistaken Identity: Many Diagnoses are Frequently Misattributed to Lyme Disease. Am J Med 2022; 135:503-511.e5. [PMID: 34861197 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.10.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior studies have demonstrated that Lyme disease is frequently over-diagnosed. However, few studies describe which conditions are misdiagnosed as Lyme disease. METHODS This retrospective observational cohort study evaluated patients who lacked evidence for Borrelia burgdorferi infection referred for Lyme disease to a Mid-Atlantic academic center from 2000-2013. The primary outcome is clinically described diagnoses contributing to symptoms. Secondary outcomes included symptom duration and determination whether diagnoses were new or attributed to existing medical conditions. RESULTS Of 1261 referred patients, 1061 (84%) had no findings of active Lyme disease, with 690 (65%) receiving other diagnoses; resulting in 405 (59%) having newly diagnosed medical conditions, 134 (19%) attributed to pre-existing medical issues, and 151 (22%) with both new and pre-existing conditions. Among the 690 patients, the median symptom duration was 796 days, and a total of 139 discrete diagnoses were made. Infectious disease diagnoses comprised only 3.2%. Leading diagnoses were anxiety/depression 222 (21%), fibromyalgia 120 (11%), chronic fatigue syndrome 77 (7%), migraine disorder 74 (7%), osteoarthritis 62 (6%), and sleep disorder/apnea 48 (5%). Examples of less frequent but non-syndromic diseases newly diagnosed included multiple sclerosis (n = 11), malignancy (n = 8), Parkinson's disease (n = 8), sarcoidosis (n = 4), or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS Most patients with long-term symptoms have either new or pre-existing disorders accounting for their symptoms other than Lyme disease, suggesting overdiagnosis in this population. Patients referred for consideration of Lyme disease for chronic symptoms deserve careful assessment for diagnoses other than Borrelia burgdorferi infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Kobayashi
- Infectious Disease, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City; Sherrilyn and Ken Fisher Center for Environmental Infectious Diseases.
| | - Yvonne Higgins
- Sherrilyn and Ken Fisher Center for Environmental Infectious Diseases; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Michael T Melia
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
| | - Paul G Auwaerter
- Sherrilyn and Ken Fisher Center for Environmental Infectious Diseases; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md
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9
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Perrillo RP, Burton JR, Westbrook LM. Herbal hepatitis due to use of alternative medicines for Lyme disease. Proc AMIA Symp 2022; 35:104-105. [PMID: 34970053 DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2021.1974272] [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: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease often leaves patients with chronic symptoms of fatigue, easy confusion, and even cardiac arrhythmias. We report a case in which Lyme disease was treated with an herbal mixture due to protracted symptoms despite intravenous antibiotics. This mixture was associated with hepatotoxicity. General providers should be aware of the fact that homeopathic remedies may be associated with hepatotoxicity, and herbalists need better understanding of the safety risks of the individual components in remedy mixtures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Perrillo
- Hepatology Division, Baylor University Medical Center and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - James R Burton
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Lindsey M Westbrook
- Department of Pathology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
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Heaney CD, Moon KA, Ostfeld RS, Pollak J, Poulsen MN, Hirsch AG, DeWalle J, Aucott JN, Schwartz BS. Relations of peri-residential temperature and humidity in tick-life-cycle-relevant time periods with human Lyme disease risk in Pennsylvania, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 795:148697. [PMID: 34252768 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
How weather affects tick development and behavior and human Lyme disease remains poorly understood. We evaluated relations of temperature and humidity during critical periods for the tick lifecycle with human Lyme disease. We used electronic health records from 479,344 primary care patients in 38 Pennsylvania counties in 2006-2014. Lyme disease cases (n = 9657) were frequency-matched (5:1) by year, age, and sex. Using daily weather data at ~4 km2 resolution, we created cumulative metrics hypothesized to promote (warm and humid) or inhibit (hot and dry) tick development or host-seeking during nymph development (March 1-May 31), nymph activity (May 1-July 30), and prior year larva activity (Aug 1-Sept 30). We estimated odds ratios (ORs) of Lyme disease by quartiles of each weather variable, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and other weather variables. Exposure-response patterns were observed for higher cumulative same-year temperature, humidity, and hot and dry days (nymph-relevant), and prior year hot and dry days (larva-relevant), with same-year hot and dry days showing the strongest association (4th vs. 1st quartile OR = 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.36, 0.43). Changing temperature and humidity could increase or decrease human Lyme disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Heaney
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Katherine A Moon
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | - Jonathan Pollak
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Melissa N Poulsen
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - Annemarie G Hirsch
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - Joseph DeWalle
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA.
| | - John N Aucott
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Brian S Schwartz
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger, Danville, PA, USA; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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11
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A Review of Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome and Chronic Lyme Disease for the Practicing Immunologist. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2021; 62:264-271. [PMID: 34687445 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-021-08906-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lyme disease is an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected Ixodes tick. The majority of patients recover without complications with antibiotic therapy. However, for a minority of patients, accompanying non-specific symptoms can persist for months following completion of therapy. The constellation of symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and musculoskeletal pain that persist beyond 6 months and are associated with disability have been termed post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), a subset of a broader term "chronic Lyme disease." Chronic Lyme disease is a broad, vaguely defined term that is used to describe patients with non-specific symptoms that are attributed to a presumed persistent Borrelia burgdorferi infection in patients who may or may not have evidence of either previous or current Lyme disease. The diagnoses of chronic Lyme disease and of PTLDS have become increasingly relevant to the practice of immunologists due to referrals for consultation or for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. This review aims to explore the relationship between chronic Lyme disease, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, and the immune system. Here, we review the current literature on (1) issues in conventional and alternative diagnostic testing for Lyme disease, (2) the hypothesis that B. burgdorferi infection can persist despite appropriate use of recommended antibiotics, (3) current theories regarding B. burgdorferi's role in causing both immune dysregulation and protracted symptoms, and (4) the use of IVIG for the treatment of Lyme disease.
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Maksimyan S, Syed MS, Soti V. Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome: Need for Diagnosis and Treatment. Cureus 2021; 13:e18703. [PMID: 34659931 PMCID: PMC8507427 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.18703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
With the continued surge in Lyme disease cases, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) is becoming a more pressing health concern. The aim of this review is to identify comprehensive treatment strategies for PTLDS patients. Unfortunately, universal guidelines for diagnosing and treating PTLDS do not currently exist. Consequently, physicians cannot adequately address concerns of possible PTLDS patients. Patients are left suffering and searching for answers, and their activities of daily living and quality of life are adversely impacted. This review highlights that PTLDS clinical trials have focused mainly on treatment with antibiotics, yielding challenging results that lack consistency in inclusion criteria across trials. It will remain exceedingly difficult to extrapolate the outcomes of such studies if a standard for PTLDS diagnosis is not well-established. By focusing on treatment trials rather than establishing diagnostic criteria, research in this field ignores a critical step in investigating PTLDS. The first significant step is to create comprehensive guidelines for the diagnosis of PTLDS, which can generate uniformity and validate PTLDS treatment trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Maksimyan
- Infectious Disease, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Elmira, USA
| | - Munir S Syed
- Pathology and Histology, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Elmira, USA
| | - Varun Soti
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Elmira, USA
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13
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Nesgos AT, Harrington LC, Mader EM. Experience and knowledge of Lyme disease: A scoping review of patient-provider communication. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2021; 12:101714. [PMID: 33780825 PMCID: PMC10044390 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2021.101714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
There has been limited research on patient-provider communication dynamics regarding Lyme disease (LD) diagnosis and treatment. Evidence suggests communication in the clinical encounter improves when both patient and healthcare provider (HCP) have concordant orientations (or beliefs) on discussed topics, resulting in higher patient satisfaction and care outcomes. The purpose of this scoping review was to characterize and summarize current research findings on patient and provider knowledge and experiences regarding LD - two factors that may influence the orientation of both patients and providers toward LD in the clinical setting. None of the articles included in the review specifically addressed patient-provider interaction and relationships as the main objective. However, the existing literature indicates notable HCP uncertainty regarding LD diagnosis, treatment, and applied practice patterns. Current research also describes limited knowledge of LD among patient populations and a high prevalence of negative perceptions of care received in mainstream healthcare settings among individuals with persistent symptoms. We identified a critical gap in research that seeks to understand the dynamic of patients and HCPs communicating on the topic of LD in the clinical setting. Future research may identify opportunities where the patient-provider communication dynamic can be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna T Nesgos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Laura C Harrington
- Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, 3138 Comstock Hall, Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
| | - Emily M Mader
- Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, 3138 Comstock Hall, Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Smith GN, Moore KM, Hatchette TF, Nicholson J, Bowie W, Langley JM. Committee Opinion No. 399: Management of Tick Bites and Lyme Disease During Pregnancy. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2021; 42:644-653. [PMID: 32414479 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lyme disease is an emerging infection in Canada caused by the bacterium belonging to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species complex, which is transmitted via the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Populations of blacklegged ticks continue to expand and are now established in different regions in Canada. It usually takes more than 24 hours of tick attachment to transfer B. burgdorferi to a human. The diagnosis of early localized Lyme disease is made by clinical assessment, as laboratory tests are not reliable at this stage. Most patients with early localized Lyme disease will present with a skin lesion (i.e., erythema migrans) expanding from the tick bite site and/or non-specific "influenza-like" symptoms (e.g., arthralgia, myalgia, and fever). Signs and symptoms may occur from between 3 and 30 days following the tick bite. The care of pregnant patients with a tick bite or suspected Lyme disease should be managed similarly to non-pregnant adults, including the consideration of antibiotics for prophylaxis and treatment. The primary objective of this committee opinion is to inform practitioners about Lyme disease and provide an approach to managing the care of pregnant women who may have been infected via a blacklegged tick bite. INTENDED USERS Health care providers who care for pregnant women or women of reproductive age. TARGET POPULATION Women of reproductive age. EVIDENCE In November 2018, Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, and CENTRAL databases were searched for 2 main categories: (1) Lyme disease and (2) other tick-borne diseases. Because the main focus was Lyme disease, and considering the limited number of the articles, no further filters were applied for publication time or type of study. For other tick-borne diseases, the results were restricted to a publication date within the last 10 years (2008-2018). The search terms were developed using MeSH terms and keywords including Lyme Disease, Pregnancy, Pregnant Women, Pregnancy Complications, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, Tularemia, Powassan Virus, Encephalitis Viruses, Tick-Borne, Tick-Borne Diseases, Colorado Tick Fever, Q Fever, Relapsing Fever, and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness. All articles on Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases with a target population of pregnant women were included; other groups and populations were excluded. VALIDATION METHODS The content and recommendations of this committee opinion were drafted and agreed upon by the authors. The Board of Directors of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada approved the final draft for publication.
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Pascal C, Arquembourg J, Vorilhon P, Lesens O. Emergence of Lyme disease as a social problem: analysis of discourse using the media content. Eur J Public Health 2021; 30:504-510. [PMID: 31688903 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic Lyme disease (LD) is a matter of debate worldwide and has emerged as a social problem. We aim to analyze the media content and describe the transformation process of a collective pain into a social problem in France. METHODS Using social science methodology, a corpus of articles from 20 newspapers and videos from seven major TV stations from 1987 to 2017 were analyzed for discourse content. The speaking times and the frequency of interventions between doctors supporting the official guidelines and those against them were compared using the Mann-Whitney test and the Chi-square test, respectively. RESULTS In France, the media discourse is carried through testimonials from patient organizations and a professor of infectiology who acted as a whistleblower (WB). We showed that the emergence of the LD alert in the media corresponds to the process described by social sciences as 'naming, blaming, claiming'. Since his first article in 2014, the WB has featured in 24% (22/89) of newspaper articles compared with 20% (18/89) for doctors defending the official guidelines (P = 0.52). Since his first appearance on a TV newscast in 2014, the WB has appeared in 45% (22/49) of news reports on LD with 24% of the speaking time compared with 22% (11/49) for doctors defending the official guidelines (P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS Media coverage of LD has been unbalanced since 2014 and promotes associations as well as the WB, who seems to be better identified than any of the different doctors defending the official guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clélia Pascal
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, CRIOA, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,UMR CNRS 6023, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome Environnement (LMGE), Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Jocelyne Arquembourg
- Sciences de l'Information et de la Communication, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris3, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Vorilhon
- Department of General Practice, Institut Pascal, CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Clermont Auvergne University, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Olivier Lesens
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, CRIOA, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France.,UMR CNRS 6023, Laboratoire Microorganismes: Génome Environnement (LMGE), Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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Brett-Major D. Severe emerging infections, survivorship, and the need for systematic approaches that incorporate clinical syndromes. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 73:1055-1057. [PMID: 33870418 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David Brett-Major
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
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Njie AB, Mitchell M, Pukkila-Worley R. Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter-Associated Nocardia nova Endocarditis in a Patient Receiving Intravenous Antibiotics for Chronic Lyme Disease. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021; 8:ofab041. [PMID: 33728358 PMCID: PMC7944348 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term antibiotics are not effective for the therapy of patients with persistent symptoms and a history of Lyme disease. However, some clinicians still prescribe these therapies. We present a case of peripherally inserted central catheter-associated Nocardia nova endocarditis in a patient who had been receiving intravenous antibiotics for the management of chronic Lyme disease. This case highlights an important risk associated with the unscientific use of indwelling peripheral catheters and intravenous antibiotics for the management of such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aji B Njie
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Michael Mitchell
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Read Pukkila-Worley
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Lyme disease is an important, vector-borne infection found throughout the temperate Northern hemisphere. The disease causes rash, acute systemic illness, and in some untreated patients, inflammatory arthritis. This review examines the emergence, clinical features and management of early Lyme disease and Lyme arthritis. RECENT FINDINGS There has been continuing progress in characterizing the clinical manifestations, diagnostic testing and treatment of Lyme disease. Almost all patients with early Lyme disease can be cured with antibiotic treatment. In most cases, Lyme arthritis also responds to antibiotics, but some patients require additional treatment approaches. SUMMARY The diagnosis of Lyme disease is based on clinical manifestations and adjunctive laboratory testing. For the rheumatologist, Lyme arthritis should be recognized by a pattern of attacks of asymmetric, oligo-arthritis, recognizable by clinical manifestations in the same way that other rheumatic diseases, such as gout or rheumatoid arthritis, are diagnosed.
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Abstract
Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) is a tick-borne, zoonosis of adults and children caused by genospecies of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. The ailment, widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, continues to increase globally due to multiple environmental factors, coupled with increased incursion of humans into habitats that harbor the spirochete. B. burgdorferi sensu lato is transmitted by ticks from the Ixodes ricinus complex. In North America, B. burgdorferi causes nearly all infections; in Europe, B. afzelii and B. garinii are most associated with human disease. The spirochete's unusual fragmented genome encodes a plethora of differentially expressed outer surface lipoproteins that play a seminal role in the bacterium's ability to sustain itself within its enzootic cycle and cause disease when transmitted to its incidental human host. Tissue damage and symptomatology (i.e., clinical manifestations) result from the inflammatory response elicited by the bacterium and its constituents. The deposition of spirochetes into human dermal tissue generates a local inflammatory response that manifests as erythema migrans (EM), the hallmark skin lesion. If treated appropriately and early, the prognosis is excellent. However, in untreated patients, the disease may present with a wide range of clinical manifestations, most commonly involving the central nervous system, joints, or heart. A small percentage (~10%) of patients may go on to develop a poorly defined fibromyalgia-like illness, post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) unresponsive to prolonged antimicrobial therapy. Below we integrate current knowledge regarding the ecologic, epidemiologic, microbiologic, and immunologic facets of Lyme disease into a conceptual framework that sheds light on the disorder that healthcare providers encounter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin D. Radolf
- Department of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Departments of Genetics and Genome Sciences, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Departments of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Department of Immunology, UConn Health, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
| | - Klemen Strle
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Wadsworth Center, NY Department of Health, Albany NY, 12208, USA
| | - Jacob E. Lemieux
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Franc Strle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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McCarthy ML, Reece R, Vargas SE, Johnson J, Adelson-Mitty J, Flanigan T. Lessons Learned from a Rhode Island Academic Out-Patient Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Clinic. RHODE ISLAND MEDICAL JOURNAL (2013) 2020; 103:51-55. [PMID: 33261237 PMCID: PMC7985660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although the prevalence of Lyme and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) continues to rise, there is conflicting information regarding the best approach to management. The Lifespan Lyme Disease Clinic (LDC) is an academic out- patient clinic for Lyme and other TBDs. A chart review of 218 new patients between March and November 2018 was conducted. Symptoms most commonly reported included fatigue (66.5%), joint pain (58.2%), cognitive difficulty (32.1%), and headaches (27.9%). Most (87.1%) patients had received TBD-directed antibiotic treatment prior to their first appointment. Of the 136 patients who had experienced more than 6 months of symptoms attributed to Lyme, 55.1% had positive two-tiered serologies. Many patients characterized themselves as having "chronic Lyme" or had a diagnosis of "post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome," a condition for which there is no clear consensus on pathophysiology or treatment. Outlined here are some lessons learned and practical approaches used by LDC physicians in caring for this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan L McCarthy
- Research Assistant, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital; Medical Student, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
| | - Rebecca Reece
- Assistant Professor, Section of Infectious Diseases,West Virginia University
| | - Sara E Vargas
- Research Scientist, Center for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital; Assistant Professor (Research), Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
| | - Jennie Johnson
- Assistant Professor of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
| | - Jennifer Adelson-Mitty
- Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
| | - Timothy Flanigan
- Professor of Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases,Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
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Gynthersen RMM, Tetens MM, Ørbæk M, Haahr R, Fana V, Hansen K, Mens H, Andersen ÅB, Lebech AM. Classification of patients referred under suspicion of tick-borne diseases, Copenhagen, Denmark. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2020; 12:101591. [PMID: 33126203 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
To provide better care for patients suspected of having a tick-transmitted infection, the Clinic for Tick-borne Diseases at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark was established. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate diagnostic outcome and to characterize demographics and clinical presentations of patients referred between the 1st of September 2017 to 31st of August 2019. A diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis was based on medical history, symptoms, serology and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The patients were classified as definite Lyme borreliosis, possible Lyme borreliosis or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. Antibiotic treatment of Lyme borreliosis manifestations was initiated in accordance with the national guidelines. Patients not fulfilling the criteria of Lyme borreliosis were further investigated and discussed with an interdisciplinary team consisting of specialists from relevant specialties, according to individual clinical presentation and symptoms. Clinical information and demographics were registered and managed in a database. A total of 215 patients were included in the study period. Median age was 51 years (range 17-83 years), and 56 % were female. Definite Lyme borreliosis was diagnosed in 45 patients, of which 20 patients had erythema migrans, 14 patients had definite Lyme neuroborreliosis, six had acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans, four had multiple erythema migrans and one had Lyme carditis. Furthermore, 12 patients were classified as possible Lyme borreliosis and 12 patients as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. A total of 146 patients (68 %) did not fulfil the diagnostic criteria of Lyme borreliosis. Half of these patients (73 patients, 34 %) were diagnosed with an alternative diagnosis including inflammatory diseases, cancer diseases and two patients with a tick-associated disease other than Lyme borreliosis. A total of 73 patients (34 %) were discharged without sign of somatic disease. Lyme borreliosis patients had a shorter duration of symptoms prior to the first hospital encounter compared to patients discharged without a specific diagnosis (p<0.001). When comparing symptoms at presentation, patients discharged without a specific diagnosis suffered more often from general fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. In conclusion, 66 % of all referred patients were given a specific diagnosis after ended outpatient course. A total of 32 % was diagnosed with either definite Lyme borreliosis, possible Lyme borreliosis or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome; 34 % was diagnosed with a non-tick-associated diagnosis. Our findings underscore the complexity in diagnosing Lyme borreliosis and the importance of ruling out other diseases through careful examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa M M Gynthersen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Malte M Tetens
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mathilde Ørbæk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rasmus Haahr
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Viktoria Fana
- Department of Rheumatology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Klaus Hansen
- Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helene Mens
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Åse Bengård Andersen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne-Mette Lebech
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Smith GN, Moore KM, Hatchette TF, Nicholson J, Bowie W, Langley JM. Opinion du comité No 399 : Prise en charge des morsures de tiques et de la maladie de Lyme pendant la grossesse. JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY CANADA 2020; 42:654-664. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jogc.2020.02.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Rebman AW, Aucott JN. Post-treatment Lyme Disease as a Model for Persistent Symptoms in Lyme Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:57. [PMID: 32161761 PMCID: PMC7052487 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
It has long been observed in clinical practice that a subset of patients with Lyme disease report a constellation of symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and musculoskeletal pain, which may last for a significant period of time. These symptoms, which can range from mild to severe, have been reported throughout the literature in both prospective and population-based studies in Lyme disease endemic regions. The etiology of these symptoms is unknown, however several illness-causing mechanisms have been hypothesized, including microbial persistence, host immune dysregulation through inflammatory or secondary autoimmune pathways, or altered neural networks, as in central sensitization. Evaluation and characterization of persistent symptoms in Lyme disease is complicated by potential independent, repeat exposures to B. burgdorferi, as well as the potential for co-morbid diseases with overlapping symptom profiles. Antibody testing for B. burgdorferi is an insensitive measure after treatment, and no other FDA-approved tests currently exist. As such, diagnosis presents a complex challenge for physicians, while the lived experience for patients is one marked by uncertainty and often illness invalidation. Currently, there are no FDA-approved pharmaceutical therapies, and the safety and efficacy of off-label and/or complementary therapies have not been well studied and are not agreed-upon within the medical community. Post-treatment Lyme disease represents a narrow, defined, mechanistically-neutral subset of this larger, more heterogeneous group of patients, and is a useful definition in research settings as an initial subgroup of study. The aim of this paper is to review the current literature on the diagnosis, etiology, risk factors, and treatment of patients with persistent symptoms in the context of Lyme disease. The meaning and relevance of existing patient subgroups will be discussed, as will future research priorities, including the need to develop illness biomarkers, elucidate the biologic mechanisms of disease, and drive improvements in therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison W Rebman
- Lyme Disease Research Center, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - John N Aucott
- Lyme Disease Research Center, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Abstract
In the US, disagreement over the biological basis of "chronic Lyme disease" has resulted in the institutionalization of two standards of care: "mainstream" and "Lyme-literate." For mainstream physicians, chronic Lyme disease is a "medically unexplained illness" that presents with an abundance of "symptoms" in the absence of diagnostic "signs." For Lyme-literate physicians, and complementary and alternative medicine practitioners more generally, symptoms alone provide sufficient evidence for medical explanation. Drawing upon ethnographic research among mainstream and Lyme-literate physicians, I suggest that medically unexplained illness is not a biomedical anomaly but an intrinsic feature of biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail A Dumes
- Department of Women's Studies, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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25
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Goodlet KJ, Fairman KA. Adverse Events Associated With Antibiotics and Intravenous Therapies for Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome in a Commercially Insured Sample. Clin Infect Dis 2019; 67:1568-1574. [PMID: 29672671 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Non-guideline-endorsed posttreatment courses of antibiotics for post-Lyme disease syndrome (PLDS) have been linked to adverse patient outcomes, but these findings have yet to be validated in large systematic evaluations. Methods A retrospective cohort analysis of medical and pharmacy claims derived from the Truven Health Market Scan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database assessed 90-day incidence rates of adverse events (AEs) associated with PLDS treatment (PLDS-Tx). Patients were diagnosed with PLDS ≥6 months after initial diagnosis and standard antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease. Comparison cohorts included intravenous (IV) PLDS-Tx with or without oral antibiotics; oral antibiotic-only PLDS-Tx; or neither. Results Composite AE incidence rates were higher for patients treated with IV or oral PLDS-Tx than for patients not receiving either treatment (18.7%, 16.8%, and 13.4%, respectively; P = .019). Significant between-group differences in AE incidence rates were noted for electrolyte imbalance (4.0%, 1.5%, and 0.7%, respectively; P = .001) and infection (14.0%, 12.7%, and 9.3%; P = .006). Infection prevalence increased by 22.0% in the IV treatment group and 17.7% in the oral group. Incidence rates for all-cause and AE-related hospital stays and emergency department visits were higher for treated than nontreated patients, particularly when treatment was IV (all P < .01). Of IV-treated patients, 7.3% experienced an incident all-cause inpatient stay and 11.3% an incident all-cause emergency department visit, compared with, respectively, 2.2% and 3.4% of those treated with oral antibiotics and 0.9% and 1.9% of nontreated patients. Conclusions Use of IV therapies or oral antibiotics for PLDS was associated with increased patient morbidity within 90 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellie J Goodlet
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Midwestern University College of Pharmacy, Glendale, Arizona
| | - Kathleen A Fairman
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Midwestern University College of Pharmacy, Glendale, Arizona
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Is It Possible to Make a Correct Diagnosis of Lyme Disease on Symptoms Alone? Review of Key Issues and Public Health Implications. Am J Med 2019; 132:1148-1152. [PMID: 31028718 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
There is much confusion and misinformation about the diagnosis of Lyme disease, as well as its treatment. This review explains why one cannot make a correct diagnosis of Lyme disease based on symptoms alone. It also provides evidence to support the validity of two-tier testing for the laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease. The public health consequences of failing to consider these issues are discussed.
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Chavda V, Patel S. Lyme Neuroborreliosis - The Mystifying Pitfall: "Neuropathology and Current Therapeutics". ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 14:49-68. [PMID: 30919784 DOI: 10.2174/1574891x14666190327114641] [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: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Lyme's Disease (LD) is a severe, rapidly growing, broad spectrum chronic infection caused by the bacterium 'Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi', which can be easily transmitted through the bite of certain species of ticks. The prevalence of LD is swiftly mounting in the present scenario in many countries from species to species. Although Lyme's infection is now detectable via serologic examination of early and late Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), the management of persistent symptoms is still fraught with quora of doubt and debate. LD is a multisystem spirochete which results after the dissemination of B. burgdorferi from a dermal inoculation site after a tick bite. Lyme's infection can easily get transmitted to the central nervous system and develop various neurological symptoms due to inflammation and an autoimmune response from body may lead to life-threatening "Lyme Borreliosis". The neurological symptoms are well mixed in presentation, late and confusing to get differentiated easily from other diseases. The use of antibiotics in post Lyme infection with neurological complications is still a topic of debate. Babesiosisstates, and human ehrlichiosis' the two other diseases, are associated with the same ticks that spread the LD. However, the prevalence of diagnosed human cases is usually much lower than that of actual cases of LD due to misdiagnosis, late diagnosis or undiagnosis at y such lateral neuroinfection stage after the tick bite. The current review focuses on the molecular neuropathology and current advancements in LD. There are very few patents or discoveries made on borrelia infection, drawing attention towards more focused and targeted research for the cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Chavda
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmadabad 382481, Gujarat, India
| | - Snehal Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmadabad 382481, Gujarat, India
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Ranque-Garnier S, Eldin C, Sault C, Raoult D, Donnet A. Management of patients presenting with generalized musculoskeletal pain and a suspicion of Lyme disease. Med Mal Infect 2019; 49:157-166. [DOI: 10.1016/j.medmal.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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ÖNCEL S. TÜRKİYE’DE LYME HASTALIĞI. KOCAELI ÜNIVERSITESI SAĞLIK BILIMLERI DERGISI 2018. [DOI: 10.30934/kusbed.423490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Brown JD. A description of 'Australian Lyme disease' epidemiology and impact: an analysis of submissions to an Australian senate inquiry. Intern Med J 2018; 48:422-426. [PMID: 29363839 DOI: 10.1111/imj.13746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many Australian patients are diagnosed and treated for the scientifically and politically controversial diagnosis of an endemic form of 'Australian Lyme Disease'. Patient advocacy led Senator John Madigan to propose an Australian Senate Inquiry into this illness. AIM To describe the symptomology and outcomes of patients diagnosed and treated with Lyme disease in Australia. METHODS All public, first-person submissions (n = 698) to the inquiry were reviewed and responses analysed for epidemiology, symptoms and impact against structured criteria. RESULTS The most common symptoms described were fatigue (62.6%), disordered thinking (51.9%) and sensory disturbance (46.1%). Respondents reported experiencing symptoms for a median of 10 years and spent a median of $30 000 on diagnosis and treatment. Almost 10% of respondents self-diagnosed after being exposed to a media report of Australian Lyme disease. CONCLUSIONS Patients diagnosed with Lyme disease in Australia display a symptomology similar to 'medically unexplained physical symptoms' syndromes, experience social and financial harms, and are at risk of nosocomial harms. Negative medical interactions and the media may contribute to patients seeking alternative and potentially non-evidence-based diagnoses and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy D Brown
- Institute for Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Nepean Hospital, Nepean Blue Mountains Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Blacktown Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Straight Talk About Chronic Lyme Disease. Am J Med 2018; 131:592-594. [PMID: 29284115 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Arnold MH, Kerridge I. Rejecting Reality and Substituting One?'s Own; Why Bioethics Should Be Concerned With Medically Unexplained Symptoms. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BIOETHICS : AJOB 2018; 18:26-28. [PMID: 29697335 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2018.1445315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
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Abstract
AbstractWe report seven cases of probable endotoxin poisoning linked to contaminated compounded glutathione. Five of the cases were using the infusions for treatment of Lyme disease highlighting the risks of using compounded sterile preparations for unapproved indications, especially if the quality of source products cannot be assured.
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Zhao Z, Tao L, Liu A, Ma M, Li H, Zhao H, Yang J, Wang S, Jin Y, Shao X, Bao F. NF‑κB is a key modulator in the signaling pathway of Borrelia burgdorferi BmpA‑induced inflammatory chemokines in murine microglia BV2 cells. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:4953-4958. [PMID: 29393443 PMCID: PMC5865954 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease, caused by the bacterial spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is a tick‑borne zoonosis. Lyme neuroborreliosis is a principal manifestation of Lyme disease and its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that Borrelia burgdorferi lipoproteins caused similar inflammatory effects as exhibited in Lyme neuroborreliosis. Basic membrane protein A (BmpA) is one of the dominant lipoproteins in the Borrelia burgdorferi membrane. In addition, nuclear factor κ‑B (NF‑κB) modulates the regulation of gene transcription associated with immunity and inflammation; however, in unstimulated cells, NF‑κB is combined with the inhibitor of NF‑κB (IκB‑β). Therefore, it was hypothesized that NF‑κB may be associated with BmpA‑induced inflammation and the occurrence of Lyme neuroborreliosis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the role that NF‑κB serves in the signaling pathway of rBmpA‑induced inflammatory chemokines. The present study measured the expression levels of NF‑κB, IκB‑β and inflammatory chemokines following recombinant BmpA (rBmpA) stimulation of murine microglia BV2 cells. Following stimulation with rBmpA, concentrations of pro‑inflammatory cytokines including C‑X‑C motif chemokine 2, C‑C motif chemokine (CCL) 5 and CCL22 were determined by ELISA analysis. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of NF‑κB p65 and IκB‑β. The data demonstrated that concentrations of these chemokines in cell supernatants increased significantly following rBmpA stimulation. NF‑κB was overexpressed, but IκB‑β expression was significantly decreased. In conclusion, these results suggested that NF‑κB serves an important stimulatory role in the signaling pathway of rBmpA‑induced inflammatory chemokines in BV2 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Lvyan Tao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Aihua Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Yunnan Province Integrative Innovation Center for Public Health, Diseases Prevention and Control, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Yunnan Demonstration Base of International Science and Technology Cooperation for Tropical Diseases, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Correspondence to: Professor Aihua Liu or Professor Fukai Bao, Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, 1168 Chunrongxi Road, Chenggong, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China, E-mail: , E-mail:
| | - Mingbiao Ma
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Haiyi Li
- Faculty of Public Health, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Hua Zhao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Jiaru Yang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Shiming Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Yirong Jin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Xian Shao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
| | - Fukai Bao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- The Institute for Tropical Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Yunnan Province Integrative Innovation Center for Public Health, Diseases Prevention and Control, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Yunnan Demonstration Base of International Science and Technology Cooperation for Tropical Diseases, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China
- Correspondence to: Professor Aihua Liu or Professor Fukai Bao, Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Tropical Infectious Diseases in Universities, 1168 Chunrongxi Road, Chenggong, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, P.R. China, E-mail: , E-mail:
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van Eck van der Sluijs JF, Ten Have M, de Graaf R, Rijnders CAT, van Marwijk HWJ, van der Feltz-Cornelis CM. Predictors of Persistent Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms: Findings From a General Population Study. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:613. [PMID: 30524322 PMCID: PMC6262298 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To explore the persistency of Medically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) and its prognostic factors in the general adult population. Knowledge of prognostic factors of MUS may indicate possible avenues for intervention development. Methods: Data were derived from the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study-2 (NEMESIS-2), a nationally representative face-to-face cohort study among the Dutch general population aged 18-64 years. We selected subjects with MUS at baseline and who participated at follow-up (N = 324) and reassessed those subjects for having MUS at 3 year follow-up. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors for persistency of MUS. Results: 36.4% of the subjects had persistent MUS at follow-up. In logistic regression analyses adjusted for sex and age, persistency of MUS was predicted by the number of comorbid chronic medical disorder(s), lower education, female sex, not having a paid job, parental psychopathology as well as lower functioning. In the logistic regression analysis in which all significant variables adjusted for sex and age were entered simultaneously, three variables predicted persistent MUS: parental psychopathology, the number of comorbid chronic medical disorder(s) and physical functioning, with odds ratios of 2.01 (1.20-3.38), 1.19 (1.01-1.40), and 0.99 (0.97-1.00), respectively. Conclusion: In the adult general population, MUS were persistent in over one third of the subjects with MUS at baseline. Persistency was significantly predicted by parental psychopathology, number of comorbid chronic medical disorders, and physical functioning. These findings warrant further research into early intervention and treatment options for persons with an increased risk of persistent MUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonna F van Eck van der Sluijs
- Top clinical Center for Body, Mind and Health, GGz Breburg, Tilburg, Netherlands.,Department of Tranzo, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - Margreet Ten Have
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ron de Graaf
- Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Harm W J van Marwijk
- Division of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Brighton, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Christina M van der Feltz-Cornelis
- Top clinical Center for Body, Mind and Health, GGz Breburg, Tilburg, Netherlands.,Department of Tranzo, Tilburg University, Tilburg, Netherlands.,Department of Health Sciences, Hull York Medical School, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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Koster MP, Garro A. Unraveling Diagnostic Uncertainty Surrounding Lyme Disease in Children with Neuropsychiatric Illness. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2018; 27:27-36. [PMID: 29157500 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2017.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Lyme disease is endemic in parts of the United States, including New England, the Atlantic seaboard, and Great Lakes region. The presentation has various manifestations, many of which can mimic psychiatric diseases in children. Distinguishing manifestations of Lyme disease from those of psychiatric illnesses is complicated by inexact diagnostic tests and misuse of these tests when they are not clinically indicated. This article aims to describe manifestations of Lyme disease in children with an emphasis on Lyme neuroborreliosis. Clinical scenarios will be presented and discussed. Finally, recommendations for clinical psychiatrists who encounter children with possible Lyme disease are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Koster
- Department of Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital - Hasbro Children's Hospital, 593 Eddy Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
| | - Aris Garro
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital - Hasbro Children's Hospital, 125 Whipple Street, UEMF Suite-3rd Floor, Providence, RI 02908, USA
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37
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Beaman MH. Lyme disease: why the controversy? Intern Med J 2017; 46:1370-1375. [PMID: 27981776 DOI: 10.1111/imj.13278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Some Australians have become convinced of the existence of locally acquired Lyme disease (LD). The history of LD, since its recognition in the early 1970s, is reviewed as a model for investigative approaches to unknown syndromes. Australian Management Guidelines for LD include the requirement for diagnostic testing by National Association of Testing Authorities-accredited laboratories using Therapeutic Goods Administration-licensed tests, which result in the efficient diagnosis of LD in overseas travellers. Despite this, patients who have not left Australia pay many thousands of dollars for non-specialist consultations and testing at overseas laboratories. Unproven long-term therapy with multiple antibiotics has resulted in serious complications, including allergies, line sepsis, pancreatitis and pseudomembranous colitis. Studies have shown that LD vectors are not found in Australia, and Lyme Borrelia has not been found in Australian vectors, animals or patients with autochthonous illnesses. I propose that (i) A non-controversial name for the chronic syndrome should be adopted, 'Australian Multisystem Disorder'. (ii) Research funding should enable the development of a consensus case definition and studies of the epidemiology of this syndrome with laboratory investigations to identify an aetiology and surrogate markers of disease. Prospective, randomised treatment studies could then be undertaken using ethical protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Beaman
- Western Diagnostic Pathology, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, Notre Dame University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Marzec NS, Nelson C, Waldron PR, Blackburn BG, Hosain S, Greenhow T, Green GM, Lomen-Hoerth C, Golden M, Mead PS. Serious Bacterial Infections Acquired During Treatment of Patients Given a Diagnosis of Chronic Lyme Disease - United States. MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT 2017; 66:607-609. [PMID: 28617768 PMCID: PMC5657841 DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6623a3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The term "chronic Lyme disease" is used by some health care providers as a diagnosis for various constitutional, musculoskeletal, and neuropsychiatric symptoms (1,2). Patients with a diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease have been provided a wide range of medications as treatment, including long courses of intravenous (IV) antibiotics (3,4). Studies have not shown that such treatments lead to substantial long-term improvement for patients, and they can be harmful (1,5). This report describes cases of septic shock, osteomyelitis, Clostridium difficile colitis, and paraspinal abscess resulting from treatments for chronic Lyme disease. Patients, clinicians, and public health practitioners should be aware that treatments for chronic Lyme disease can carry serious risks.
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39
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Abstract
Lyme borreliosis is a tick-borne disease that predominantly occurs in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere and is primarily caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi in North America and Borrelia afzelii or Borrelia garinii in Europe and Asia. Infection usually begins with an expanding skin lesion, known as erythema migrans (referred to as stage 1), which, if untreated, can be followed by early disseminated infection, particularly neurological abnormalities (stage 2), and by late infection, especially arthritis in North America or acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans in Europe (stage 3). However, the disease can present with any of these manifestations. During infection, the bacteria migrate through the host tissues, adhere to certain cells and can evade immune clearance. Yet, these organisms are eventually killed by both innate and adaptive immune responses and most inflammatory manifestations of the infection resolve. Except for patients with erythema migrans, Lyme borreliosis is diagnosed based on a characteristic clinical constellation of signs and symptoms with serological confirmation of infection. All manifestations of the infection can usually be treated with appropriate antibiotic regimens, but the disease can be followed by post-infectious sequelae in some patients. Prevention of Lyme borreliosis primarily involves the avoidance of tick bites by personal protective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen C Steere
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Franc Strle
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gary P Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, USA
| | - Linden T Hu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John A Branda
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joppe W R Hovius
- Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xin Li
- Division of Geographic Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paul S Mead
- Bacterial Diseases Branch, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
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40
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Starostzik C. [Treatments you should not recommend]. MMW Fortschr Med 2015; 157:26. [PMID: 26012668 DOI: 10.1007/s15006-015-3016-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
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41
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Steere AC, Arvikar SL. Editorial commentary: what constitutes appropriate treatment of post-Lyme disease symptoms and other pain and fatigue syndromes? Clin Infect Dis 2015; 60:1783-5. [PMID: 25852123 DOI: 10.1093/cid/civ187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Allen C Steere
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
| | - Sheila L Arvikar
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
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