Microbiology of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome in Lyme Arthritis
Official title: Microbiology of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
Funded at Tufts University Boston · NIH-11365930 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how different strains of the bacteria that cause Lyme disease might influence lingering symptoms after treatment in people with Lyme arthritis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tufts University Boston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $488,320 |
| NIH project number | 5P01AI181934-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365930 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Lyme disease, including those who develop PTLDS and those with resolved symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
People whose symptoms are fully resolved after standard Lyme treatment may have little or no direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will compare genetic differences in Borrelia burgdorferi strains from people with PTLDS and those with resolved Lyme disease to see if certain strains are linked to ongoing symptoms. The team will study how these strains tolerate antibiotics, persist, and spread in the body to understand mechanisms behind PTLDS. By sequencing bacterial genomes and focusing on specific protein families, they aim to identify links between bacterial genotype and the immune responses seen in PTLDS. The work is centered on human disease biology and leverages patient-derived samples collected through clinical coordination at Tufts University.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could clarify why some people develop PTLDS and guide more targeted treatments or prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that bacterial genotype and immune interactions can influence disease outcomes, but direct links to PTLDS require further validation.
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.