SIGNIFICANT GAPS REMAIN IN UNDERSTANDING OF LYME DISEASE

Nat Cap Lyme do an excellent summary of the Institute of Medicine report on “The Critical Needs and Gaps in Understanding Prevention, Amelioration and Resolution of Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases."

'Significant Gaps Remain In Understanding of Lyme Disease.'

Animal models that explore mechanisms of pathogen persistence following antibiotic treatment. Note acknowledgement of persistence!

A diverse group of scientists and physicians with expertise in tick-borne infections discussed a breadth of scientific topics. Some profound insights shared by several of these presenters include:

“Science is not belief, but the will to find out” (Benjamin J. Luft, M.D.)

“Everyone is studying the early stage of this infection, no one is studying the persistent phase of this infection.” (Stephen Barthold, D.V.M., Ph.D.)

“You do not require an antibody response to develop this disease” (Janis J.Weis, Ph.D.)

“Treat the patient, not the test” (Juan Olano, M.D.)

“[For the child] long-term effects last 50-70 years” (Richard F. Jacobs, M.D.)

“…the poor understanding of the true incidence and geographical distribution…I don’t think we have a clue” (Richard F. Jacobs, M.D.)

“How can you say, ‘I’ve treated you for four weeks and therefore you no longer have Lyme disease.’ The fact is, we don’t know!” (Sam T. Donta, M.D.)

“Under-powered studies which purport to demonstrate universal efficacy need to be viewed with circumspection” (Sam T. Donta, M.D.)

“All that shouting drowns out all the complexity and the nuance and the work that needs to be done” (Pamela Weintraub, senior editor at Discover magazine, and author of Cure Unknown: Inside the Lyme Epidemic)

To read Nat Cap's summary of the report click here

To read Gregg Skall's presentation from an earlier post click here

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I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, Arthritis, Muscle weakness, Musculoskeletal disease and Polymyalgia Rheumatica before my doctors realised that I was actually suffering from Lyme disease.