Thread by @LonnieRhea

Ying Zhang, MD @JohnsHopkinsSPH talking about different types of treatment that are effective for treatment of persistent Lyme in mouse models & other persistent infections. #LivLymeSummit @liv_lyme

@JohnsHopkinsSPH @liv_lyme Zhang | current IDSA treatment 2-4 weeks of Abx leaves 10-20% (4-36%) of patients with persistent symptoms. "feeling is that a majority is due to persistent infection" In these patients PTLDS = "partially treated Lyme disease syndrome" #LivLymeSummit

@JohnsHopkinsSPH @liv_lyme Zhang | what we've shown in chronic TB infection is we need a combination of drugs to kill the bacteria. "If we treat to short of time we get a high relapse rate." By adding persister drug (PZA) are able to reduce treatment time. #LivLymeSummit

@JohnsHopkinsSPH @liv_lyme Zhang | most recent study showed “The inclusion of persister drug daptomycin in combination with doxycycline and ceftriaxone is critical to eradicating the persistent infection.” -> lymedisease.org/lymesci-jhu-pe… #LivLymeSummit @liv_lyme

@JohnsHopkinsSPH @liv_lyme Zhang | two lab studies showing essential oils (oregano, cinnamon bark and clove bud) are able to eradicate persister cells in Lyme disease. Moving towards a mouse model to test these in combination with antibiotics -> lymedisease.org/lyme-sci-essen… #LivLymeSummit

@JohnsHopkinsSPH @liv_lyme Zhang | new model for PTLDS proposes that some patients may be infected with persister form of spirochetes at the onset. Divides PTLDS into two groups 1) persister cell/biofilm mediated infection immune response; 2) Late diagnosis Lyme with persister cells. #LivLymeSummit

@JohnsHopkinsSPH @liv_lyme Zhang | Embers study is able to show persistent infection in mouse model by xenodiagnosis (clean tick able to obtain Borrelia from mouse after treatment w/ Abx). Mouse model developed persister combination of drugs that work with 100% effectiveness. Ready for clinical trail.