Why do we need this?
The LBU continues to insist that no further research is needed on Lyme, as “much is already known about the disease”. We think it is hard to understand why anybody involved in science would not want to know more about their subject.
The bacterium that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi) was relatively recently discovered (identified in 1983), and is the most genetically complex bacterium known, by a large margin. Recent research has only highlighted how complex this condition is, and implies that we still have much to learn.
Many of the research papers that are referenced by the LBU rely on the personal opinions of the authors, are based on unsound logic, or unsound methodology. This is not a reliable basis for setting health policy that affects the lives of a large number of people.
Testing
The most useful current tests look for antibodies that are specific to B. burgdorferi. There is considerable evidence that many genuine cases are being missed by current testing methods.
Research is quoted by the LBU to support a very high sensitivity for the test, yet the quoted paper provides no evidence for the figures. It is very difficult to quantify how reliable any Lyme test is, because there is no sensitive gold standard test with which the results can be compared. There is no way to be sure that current testing is good enough.
Research is urgently needed to improve existing testing methods and to identify new ones.
Treatment
The LBU continues to insist that short courses of antibiotics are all that is justified. This is despite the fact that several papers have been published which show some patients benefit from longer courses, and despite the fact that there is no good evidence that short courses are effective for any but the very earliest cases.
Research is urgently required to establish optimum treatment protocols.
Secondary effects
Many patients, particularly those who do not receive early treatment, often suffer a wide range of symptoms, which can cause severe impairment and poor quality of life. It is a matter of debate amongst the medical profession whether ongoing symptoms are due to inadequately treated infection, or other causes such as tissue damage. These patients often improve significantly with extended course of antibiotics, but are often left with residual symptoms that affect their quality of life.
Research is urgently required to establish the real cause of ongoing symptoms, and to develop appropriate treatment.
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