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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
07:20
Detecting the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia Burgdorferi, in Ticks Using Nested PCR
Published on: February 4, 2018
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Chronic Lyme disease
1Divisions of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and General Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, DUMC 100800, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Infectious Disease Clinics of North America
|May 23, 2015
Summary
Chronic Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed, and evidence does not link persistent Borrelia burgdorferi infection to these prolonged symptoms. Long-term antibiotic treatments for Lyme disease are ineffective and harmful.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Chronic Lyme disease is an ill-defined diagnosis often applied to patients with persistent, unexplained symptoms.
- Alternative medical diagnoses are frequently considered in cases labeled as chronic Lyme disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the scientific evidence supporting the link between chronic Borrelia burgdorferi infection and conditions diagnosed as chronic Lyme disease.
- To assess the efficacy and risks of prolonged antibiotic treatment for chronic Lyme disease symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing data and scientific literature regarding Borrelia burgdorferi infection and chronic Lyme disease.
- Analysis of studies investigating the outcomes of prolonged antibiotic therapy in patients with persistent symptoms after Lyme disease treatment.
Main Results:
- Current data do not substantiate the claim that persistent Borrelia burgdorferi infection causes the conditions labeled as chronic Lyme disease.
- Prolonged symptoms following successful Lyme disease treatment are rare, though can be severe in some cases.
- Extended antibiotic courses do not prevent or improve these symptoms and carry significant risks.
Conclusions:
- The diagnosis of chronic Lyme disease lacks robust scientific support regarding persistent infection.
- Prolonged antibiotic treatment for chronic Lyme disease is not recommended due to lack of efficacy and potential for harm.
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