For most people with early Lyme disease, two to three weeks of oral antibiotics leads to full recovery. But for an estimated 10–20% of patients, symptoms persist long after treatment ends — a clinical reality that the research community is only beginning to understand at a mechanistic level.
The Central Questions in Treatment Research
- Why do symptoms persist in some patients after antibiotic treatment that appears adequate?
- Is there a role for extended or modified antibiotic regimens in certain patient subgroups?
- What is the role of immune dysregulation in post-treatment symptoms?
- Are there non-antibiotic interventions that can reduce persistent symptoms?
- Can we identify biomarkers that predict who will respond to standard treatment and who will not?
Project Lyme-Funded Treatment Research
Immune Dysregulation in Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
This study characterizes immune cell profiles in PTLDS patients compared to fully recovered Lyme disease patients, healthy controls, and patients with other post-infectious syndromes. The goal is to identify immunological signatures that distinguish PTLDS and suggest potential therapeutic targets.
Gut Microbiome Alterations Following Lyme Disease Treatment
Antibiotic treatment significantly disrupts the gut microbiome. This study investigates whether microbiome perturbations following Lyme treatment correlate with the development of persistent symptoms — and whether targeted probiotic interventions can reduce this risk.
What Patients Should Know
Research in this area is genuinely evolving, and the honest answer to most persistent symptom questions is that more is unknown than known. Project Lyme is committed to funding the research that will change that — and to communicating findings to patients in plain language as they emerge.
Participating in Research
Patients with PTLDS who are interested in contributing to research through clinical trials can explore options on our Clinical Trials page.