Investigating auto-antibodies to predict Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
Official title: Auto-antibodies as predictive markers for Post treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-10881966 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain antibodies in the blood might help predict if someone will develop ongoing symptoms after being treated for Lyme disease, so we can find better ways to diagnose and help those who are affected.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 5, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $616,612 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI178725-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10881966 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have been diagnosed with Lyme disease and have completed antibiotic treatment but continue to experience symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not been diagnosed with Lyme disease or those who have not undergone treatment are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how auto-antibodies, specifically those targeting host phospholipids, may serve as predictive markers for Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). The study will involve analyzing blood samples from patients who have been treated for Lyme disease to identify the presence and levels of these antibodies. By comparing patients who recover fully with those who develop PTLDS, researchers aim to uncover the role these antibodies play in the disease process. This could lead to better diagnostic tools and treatment strategies for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and management of patients suffering from lingering symptoms after Lyme disease treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that auto-antibodies may play a role in other autoimmune conditions, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach to understanding PTLDS.
Where this research is happening
-
Tufts University Boston
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Linden T — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Hu, Linden T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding why some people have ongoing symptoms after Lyme disease
A long-term study follows people diagnosed with acute Lyme disease to see who develops persistent symptoms and why, with care from a team of Lyme experts.
-
CSF Protein Map in Post-Treatment Lyme Disease
A short study to map proteins in spinal fluid of people who had Lyme disease and still feel sick after standard treatment, to understand what’s going on.
-
Lyme disease vaccine research aimed at preventing infection
Researchers are developing a Lyme disease vaccine by studying how the immune system responds to Borrelia burgdorferi and testing vaccine approaches to prevent illness.
-
Lyme disease brain health: tracking brain signals and blood clues after treatment
This study follows people with early Lyme disease and compares them to healthy volunteers to see how the brain and blood markers change over a year after starting antibiotics.
-
Lyme disease symptoms lingering after treatment may be driven by special bacterial fragments
A human-friendly look at a study exploring why some Lyme patients keep symptoms after antibiotics and whether tiny fragments from the bacteria are to blame.
-
Understanding Lyme disease immune signals to predict recovery after antibiotics
A research project at MIT aims to find immune biomarkers that tell which Lyme patients will recover after standard antibiotics and who might have lasting symptoms.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.