Recently completed
A committee-supported project or activity that has been completed and for which output dissemination has begun. Its committee has been disbanded and closeout procedures are underway.
Topics
Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States. While most cases are effectively treated through oral antibiotics, some patients develop persistent and debilitating symptoms that last months to years despite standard antibiotic treatment. Ticks that spread Lyme disease can also carry other pathogens, leading to potential co-infection and further complicating diagnosis and treatment.
Under the auspices of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, an ad hoc committee will conduct a study to assess the current evidence base for treatment of Lyme infection-associated chronic illnesses to identify research priorities and new opportunities.
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Consensus
·2025
Around 10-20% of people who contract Lyme disease, the most common tickborne disease in the U.S., develop persistent, often debilitating symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. Lyme infection-associated chronic illnesses (IACI) share symptoms common to other IACI such as L...
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Description
An ad hoc committee under the auspices of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will conduct a study of the evidence base for Lyme infection-associated chronic illnesses (Lyme IACI)* treatment. Specifically, the committee will:
- Review current knowledge and gaps regarding research into the etiology of Lyme IACI and clinical trials for its treatment;
- Examine what is known regarding co-infection with multiple tickborne pathogens, and consider implications for research and development of Lyme IACI diagnostics and treatment;
- Consider how emerging lessons learned from long COVID and other infection-associated chronic conditions may be applied to advancing Lyme IACI treatment;
- Explore advances in medicine and biotechnology that may hold promise for accelerating Lyme IACI treatment; and
- Identify priorities for additional research to advance Lyme IACI diagnostics and treatment.
The study is intended to focus on diagnostics and treatment of Lyme IACI symptoms and not to improve diagnostics and treatment for acute Lyme disease. As such, the prevention of Lyme disease transmission or onset, including development and use of vaccines or other prophylactic drugs, is also outside the scope of this study. Based on its review of the literature and input from a public workshop, the committee will develop a report with its findings, conclusions, and recommendations for advancing Lyme IACI treatment.
* This encompasses a variety of terms that are used, including post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, persistent Lyme disease, long Lyme, and other complex, chronic cases of Lyme disease.
Collaborators
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Staff Officer
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Committee Membership Roster Comments
Note: There was a change in the Committee Membership with the resignation of Nancy Klimas, effective April 18, 2024, and Utpal Pal, effective April 26, 2024.
On 05/08/2024, the biographical sketch was updated for the following committee members: John Branda, Adrian F. Hernandez, Nicole M.E. Malachowski, Lise Nigrovic, Simone A. Seward, Robert P. Smith, Qing Mei Wang, and Susan J. Wong.
On 05/08/2024, Betty Diamond joined the committee.
On 05/20/2024, Brandon Jutras joined the committee.
On 06/05/2024, the biographical sketch was updated for the following committee members: Betty A. Diamond, Miguel Hernán, and Brandon Lyon Jutras.
There was a change in the Committee Membership with the resignation of Brandon Lyon Jutras, effective September 10, 2024.
On 9/23/24, the biographical sketch was updated for Kent Kester.
Sponsors
Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation
Staff
Julie Liao
Lead
Andrew March
Lead
Emily McDowell
Rayane Silva-Curran
Julie Pavlin
Clare Stroud
