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Toward a Common Research Agenda in Infection-Associated Chronic Illnesses: A Workshop to Examine Common, Overlapping Clinical and Biological Factors

Completed

A number of chronic illnesses, from persistent Lyme disease to long COVID, have been associated with prior infectious disease. However, the pathogenesis mechanisms and link between infection and long-lasting symptoms remain poorly understood, leading to limited treatment options for the often debilitating symptoms of infection-associated chronic illnesses. This workshop aims to bring together clinicians, researchers, and other stakeholders to examine common biological and clinical factors associated with these chronic illnesses, discuss potential strategies to treat or prevent disease progression, and increase collaboration among stakeholders to build a community of shared priorities that can enhance patient care.

Description

A planning committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will organize and conduct a public workshop to explore the current understanding of and future research opportunities for infection-associated chronic illnesses. The workshop will focus on long COVID, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, persistent Lyme disease, and multiple sclerosis. Workshop discussions will consider the latest research and knowledge gaps in the following:

  1. Overlapping clinical and biological factors underlying infection-associated chronic illnesses.
  2. Current practice and novel technologies to develop urgently needed diagnostic tests for different stages of illness and/or the potential underlying infectious agent.
  3. Identification of therapeutic targets and strategies to prevent or impede chronic illness progression.
  4. Coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders and practitioners that will increase research and enhance care across different patient populations.

The planning committee will organize the workshop, develop the agenda, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate or identify moderators for the discussions. A proceedings of the presentations and discussions at the workshop will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.

Collaborators

Committee

Co-Chair

Co-Chair

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Sponsors

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Department of Health and Human Services

Other, Federal

Private: For Profit

Private: Non Profit

Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation

Staff

Julie Liao

Lead

Liz Ashby

Lead

Nicky Kuang

Sheena Posey Norris

Julie Pavlin

Liz Ashby

Claire Biffl

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