Lyme Disease Dialogue: A Renewed Call for Collaboration
Lyme disease dialogue is urgently needed as evidence continues to highlight the complexity of this multisystem illness. “We need more national and international debates on Lyme disease, complemented by a solid research agenda and a focus on cutting edge biological technologies,” writes Borgermans and colleagues. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
ILADS continues to advocate for collaborative dialogue to improve Lyme disease care.
The medical community has been pushed out of its comfort zone as growing evidence challenges traditional assumptions about Lyme disease.
The Role of Frontline Clinicians
Most patients first present to family physicians, who often have limited resources when initial treatment fails.
Borgermans emphasizes that family physicians should be central to the discussion:
“Family physicians can act as important partners alongside infectious disease specialists and others to drive this debate forward.”
Why ILADS Should Be Included
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) should play a key role in this dialogue.
As an internationally recognized medical society focused on tick-borne diseases, ILADS brings clinical experience and research-based insight that is essential to advancing care.
Despite repeated calls for collaboration, meaningful dialogue has often been limited.
The 2014 ILADS evidence-based treatment guidelines meet Institute of Medicine (IOM) standards and provide a framework for evaluating risks and benefits of treatment.
These guidelines emphasize patient-centered care, weighing disease burden, treatment risks, and the consequences of undertreatment.
Key Questions Still Unanswered
Borgermans and colleagues highlight critical questions that remain unresolved:
- Range of clinical presentations, including differences between sexes
- Diagnostic criteria and testing tools
- Treatment strategies and effectiveness
- Transmission modes and vectors
- Role of coinfections
- Definition of chronic Lyme disease
- Persistence of the pathogen
- Role of immune and inflammatory mechanisms
- Impact of toxins or bacterial byproducts
- Influence of environmental factors
These questions underscore how much remains unknown—and how urgently further research is needed.
Lessons from Medical History
The authors draw parallels to the delayed recognition of Helicobacter pylori in gastric disease.
This example highlights the risks of dismissing findings that challenge established medical beliefs.
Why Dialogue Matters
Failure to engage in open dialogue may delay progress and prolong patient suffering.
In an era of patient-centered care, collaboration across specialties is essential to improving outcomes in Lyme disease.
The authors conclude with a clear call to action: the medical community must work together to better understand and treat this complex disease.
References:
- Borgermans L et al. BMJ, 2015.
- Cameron DJ et al. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther, 2014.
- Borgermans L et al. Int J Family Med, 2014.
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
Dr Cameron thank you so much for all the information you provide. I treated lyme 9 years ago with a year of various antibiotics. 3 years ago I developed a vocal tremor with spasmodic dysphonia. I have had scopes done by ENTs which show the vocal cords shaking. Have you heard of this in lyme? I did test positive for babesia last year. My doctor has suggested coartem. I also have a lot of gut issues so I was also given rifaximin to try, have you had any success wot these meds? I have been reading a lot about biocidin. Do you feel it is an effective treatment for babesia?
Thanks
It is frustrating to see 3 ENT without an answer. I typically use Malarone or Mepron for Babesia.