Chronic Lyme disease

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2015 Jun;29(2):325-40. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2015.02.006.

Abstract

Chronic Lyme disease is a poorly defined diagnosis that is usually given to patients with prolonged, unexplained symptoms or with alternative medical diagnoses. Data do not support the proposition that chronic, treatment-refractory infection with Borrelia burgdorferi is responsible for the many conditions that get labeled as chronic Lyme disease. Prolonged symptoms after successful treatment of Lyme disease are uncommon, but in rare cases may be severe. Prolonged courses of antibiotics neither prevent nor ameliorate these symptoms and are associated with considerable harm.

Keywords: Antibiotics; Borrelia burgdorferi; Chronic Lyme disease; Chronic fatigue; Chronic pain; Lyme disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Borrelia burgdorferi*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Coinfection
  • Humans
  • Lyme Disease* / diagnosis
  • Lyme Disease* / drug therapy
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents