Understanding Lingering Symptoms After Lyme Disease Treatment
Epidemiology of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
This project aims to understand why some people continue to feel unwell after being treated for early Lyme disease.
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 ID | NIH-11184314 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many people who get early Lyme disease and receive antibiotics still experience persistent symptoms for weeks or months, a condition known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). We want to learn more about why this happens and what factors might contribute to it. Our approach involves carefully following a large group of patients who are starting treatment for early Lyme disease. We will look closely at whether other infections transmitted by ticks, fleas, or mosquitoes might play a role, and also consider other health factors patients had before or during their Lyme infection.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be individuals recently diagnosed with early Lyme disease who are about to begin antibiotic treatment.
Not a fit: Patients who have fully recovered from Lyme disease or those who do not have Lyme disease would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a better understanding of PTLDS, helping to identify who is at risk and potentially guiding new ways to prevent or treat these lingering symptoms.
How similar studies have performed: While the existence of PTLDS is recognized, the specific biological reasons for its persistence are not yet fully understood, making this a novel effort to describe its basis.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Tufts University Boston — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Telford, Sam R — Tufts University Boston
- Study coordinator: Telford, Sam R
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 below.