Could slowing down the swimming speed of the Lyme disease spirochete help treatment?
The Lyme disease bacterium moves through the body using a unique corkscrew-like motion. Laboratory research suggests that altering this motility may influence how the organism survives and causes infection.
This raises an important question: could slowing the movement of Borrelia burgdorferi make it easier to treat? Experimental findings suggest that changes in cell structure may impact the bacterium’s ability to spread and evade the immune system.
“The flagella reside within the periplasm, the space between the bacterial cell wall and the outer membrane,” according to Harman from the University of Arizona. “Rotation of the flagella causes a traveling wave motion of the entire organism.”
Earlier modeling work suggested that the shape of the spirochete may play a role in its ability to infect mammals. Altering the shape or stiffness of the organism could therefore influence pathogenesis.
Antibiotics May Affect Structure and Movement
Some antibiotics interfere with cell wall synthesis. While doxycycline inhibits protein synthesis, amoxicillin and cefuroxime disrupt the bacterial cell wall, ultimately leading to cell death.
The researchers selected vancomycin to study its effects on cell wall structure. In vitro, vancomycin reduced the swimming speed of Borrelia burgdorferi by approximately 15% by decreasing cell wall stiffness.
Implications for Virulence and Immune Clearance
Because motility is important for bacterial virulence, reduced movement may impair the organism’s ability to survive. The authors suggest that slowing spirochete motility could make the bacteria more vulnerable to immune clearance.
Sublethal antibiotic effects may therefore play a role in reducing bacterial persistence by limiting movement and enhancing phagocytosis.
Limitations and Clinical Relevance
These findings are based on in vitro laboratory data and may not directly translate to human treatment. The clinical role of vancomycin in Lyme disease remains uncertain, and its use is generally reserved for serious infections due to potential adverse effects.
This study illustrates a broader principle: laboratory findings may improve understanding of Lyme disease biology, but clinical application requires careful validation.
Patients may benefit from review of Lyme disease symptoms, understanding testing limitations, and consideration of coinfections when symptoms persist.
References
- Harman MW et al. Vancomycin reduces cell wall stiffness and slows swim speed of Borrelia burgdorferi. Biophys J. 2017.
- Dever LL et al. In vitro activity of vancomycin against Borrelia burgdorferi. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1993.
- Hunfeld KP et al. In vitro activity of antibiotics against Borrelia burgdorferi. Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2001.
- Bruniera FR et al. The use of vancomycin and its adverse effects. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2015.
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
After a camping trip in 1995 I became so ill that the doctors thought that I had MS. An immediate MRI, Spinal Tap and even Lyme Disease Testing was performed with no clear results. All of the specialist had no idea what was wrong. After 13 years of living with every “Lymies” experiences (nightmare), my family doctor treated me for my constant UTI’s/hematuria, intestinal pain, fatigue, feeling ill etc. with various antibiotics. As a consequence, I developed C-Dif. She prescribed Vancomycin. The insurance company would only pay for the liquid, compound form of Vancomycin. I was on a strict every 8 hour schedule with the Vancomycin. Every time I would stop the Vanco I would start feeling worse. I pulse dosed the Vanco. After months of treatment with Vanco, I felt wonderful!!! In fact, I cannot remember EVER feeling so good!!
It only lasted for a few years and then I started to feel ill again and it continues to be a living hell.
Every medical professional that I have told my experience to simply states that Vanco could NOT have cured Lyme Disease or anything else because Vanco only stays in the intestinal tract.
I am so glad to see that someone is interested in researching how Vancomycin can help get rid of Lyme Disease. Based on my experience, I truly believe that Vancomycin will be either be a cure or at least a relief from the symptoms of Lyme Disease.