Tufts University

NIAID awards $3.2M for research on Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), aiming to understand its causes and improve diagnosis and treatment. PTLDS affects 10-20% of Lyme disease patients with lingering symptoms. Research may also shed light on related chronic illnesses like Long COVID and ME/CFS.

New research links elevated interferon-alpha levels in blood to chronic Lyme disease symptoms post-antibiotic treatment, suggesting a potential treatment pathway. Despite the study's small scale, it shifts understanding from bacterial persistence to immune response as a cause for lingering symptoms. The need for better diagnostic tests and treatments is emphasized.

Low health literacy affects clinical trial participation globally. Efforts to improve include creating clear, understandable materials for participants, integrating health literacy best practices, and developing resources for every stage of the clinical trial process. The MRCT Center's workgroup developed web-based resources to support this, emphasizing the importance of two-way communication and participant engagement.