Does Lyme disease exist in Australia?

Area of Science:

• Medical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Classic Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterium not found in Australian animals or ticks.
• Lyme disease diagnosed in Australia is typically acquired overseas, primarily in Europe.
• There is a growing demand for "chronic Lyme disease" diagnoses and treatments in Australia, despite a lack of supporting evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the evidence for classic Lyme disease occurrence in Australia.
• To assess the justification for prolonged antibiotic therapy in patients with "Lyme disease-like illness" in Australia.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing scientific literature and clinical evidence regarding Lyme disease in Australia.
• Analysis of the risks and benefits of prolonged antibiotic therapy for undiagnosed chronic illnesses.

Main Results:

• No convincing evidence supports the occurrence of classic Lyme disease in Australia.
• Most laboratory-confirmed Lyme disease cases in Australia were acquired internationally.
• Prolonged antibiotic therapy for "Lyme disease-like illness" carries significant risks, including sepsis and antimicrobial resistance.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence does not support the diagnosis or treatment of Lyme disease acquired in Australia.
• Prolonged antibiotic therapy for "Lyme disease-like illness" is not scientifically justified and poses considerable harm.
• Further rigorous clinical studies are required to establish any link between Australian pathogens and chronic debilitating illnesses responsive to antibiotics.