New Evidence on Lyme Disease Supports Need for Extended Treatment Therapy
Evidence-based article in prestigious infectious disease journal supports ILADS treatment recommendations. Science in this area is still evolving
Bethesda, MD (PRWEB) June 15, 2007 -- The
International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) today announced that, for the first time, evidence supporting the ILADS position on the treatment of Lyme disease has been published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases (CID), considered one of the most prestigious publications in the field of infectious diseases and microbiology.
It is the first time that evidence supporting the ILADS position has ever been published in an American infectious disease journal.
The duration of treatment for Lyme disease has been a contentious issue among physicians.
The fact that two major medical associations - the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) - have released conflicting guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease has fueled the controversy.
"Publication of our recommendations about the most effective treatment for Lyme disease in a journal like CID is a milestone for ILADS," said Dr. Raphael Stricker, president of ILADS. "Doctors, patients and insurance companies need to know that the IDSA guidelines are flawed."
Difficult to Diagnose A primary factor in the Lyme disease controversy is that the disease can be difficult to diagnose. Not every patient suffers from the typical "bull's-eye" rash and joint inflammation, considered classic symptoms of Lyme disease that is transmitted by the bite of a tiny tick.
ILADS research indicates that only 50%-60% of patients typically recall a tick bite; the rash is reported in only 35% to 60% of patients; and joint swelling typically occurs in only 20% to 30% of patients. And given the prevalence of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen, the joint inflammation is often masked.
Many patients with Lyme disease will continue to experience a variety of symptoms, even after the treatment recommended by IDSA. Some of these patients go on to develop multiple nonspecific symptoms, making it very difficult to diagnose chronic Lyme disease.
One reason for this difficulty is that Borrelia burgdorferi, the corkscrew-shaped bacteria that causes the disease, has an unusual genetic makeup.
This allows the bacteria to screw its way into a variety of cells and evade the body's immune system. According to ILADS research, the Lyme bacteria invades multiple tissues and is able to assume a dormant state much like tuberculosis. This can make treatment much more difficult.
Extended Therapy Based on extensive clinical evidence, ILADS maintains that extended antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease is sometimes necessary, particularly in later disease that is more difficult to eradicate.
Studies have shown that Borrelia burgdorferi can persist after antibiotic treatment. In particular, studies conducted in animals - including mice, dogs and monkeys - indicate that the corkscrew-shaped bacteria can persist after treatment is completed.
Persistence in humans has been confirmed by culture or molecular testing in at least a dozen studies.
"Science in this area is still evolving," according to Stricker. "We don't have all the answers and it is too early to adopt treatment strategies that assume we do. Meanwhile, doctors need flexible treatment approaches," he said.
The article describing the ILADS position on treatment of Lyme disease will be published in the July 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
About ILADS ILADS is a nonprofit, international, multidisciplinary medical society dedicated to the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of Lyme disease and associated tick-borne infections.
ILADS promotes understanding of tick-borne diseases through research and education and strongly supports physicians and other health care professionals dedicated to advancing the standard of care for tick-borne diseases.
For more information contact Pam Kahl at 503.284.1534.
posted
It won't be published until July 15 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases Journal...but the article above gives you the idea!
Favorite line: "Doctors, patients and insurance companies need to know that the IDSA guidelines are flawed."
We could use a little GOOD news for a change!
-------------------- nan Posts: 2135 | From Tick Country | Registered: Oct 2000
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
I sent a copy of this to a friend who is head of the infectious disease laboratory for a state in the southeast. His level of interest has increased and recently he and his wife had numberus tick bites while hiking. Theyare on prophylactic Doxycycline. IDSA is losing its stranglehold.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Counterpoint: Long‐Term Antibiotic Therapy Improves Persistent Symptoms Associated with Lyme Disease Raphael B. Stricker
Point: Antibiotic Therapy Is Not the Answer for Patients with Persisting Symptoms Attributable to Lyme Disease Paul G. Auwaerter
Posts: 621 | From US | Registered: Jun 2006
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-------------------- The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who can't do him any good, and how he treats people who can't fight back. -Abigail van Buren (Pauline Esther Friedman) (1918-2002) Posts: 409 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2005
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savebabe
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posted
Finally!!!!! Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
Yippee kayyay!!!!!!!!!!!
Posts: 298 | From los angeles | Registered: Mar 2006
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Greatcod
Unregistered
posted
I am pretty sure that Clinical Infectious Diseases is published by the IDSA. A major breakthrough--and ILADS is getting the word out, which is a PR breakthrough.
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Just in time for my ducky-Rheumy appointment!!!!! Posts: 69 | From Wisconsin | Registered: Apr 2007
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
Academic Search Premiere has it as published by University of Chicago Press. It could still have an editorial board heavily composed of IDSA people. This is pretty interesting at the political level. Could the Blumenthal challenge be behind this?
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Want to add here: I just looked at www.lymeinfo/net/lymefiles.html. The first entry is called Persistence. It has 67 studies dating from 1977 to 2001 documenting persistence of Lyme disease despite abx. Many of the authors are the core IDSA cabal. Click to enlarge the page so you can read them. There it is, folks. A refutation of the IDSA by the IDSA themselves...
[ 15. June 2007, 09:31 PM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
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Areneli
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posted
IDSA may have already a plan how to dismiss the findings.
Posts: 1538 | From Planet Earth | Registered: Jan 2005
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Beverly
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posted
Another yay!!! Thanks for letting us know Nan.
Posts: 6638 | From Michigan | Registered: Jun 2001
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shazdancer
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posted
David, I was thinking the same thing.
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5dana8
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posted
great news
Thanks for posting nan
-------------------- 5dana8 Posts: 4432 | From some where over the rainbow | Registered: Sep 2005
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