New Study Provides Hope for Chronic Lyme Disease Sufferers
December 1, 2014
Patients with Lyme disease know that their symptoms and the effects of the disease can be debilitating and last for a long time, often persisting even after treatment.
In an effort to help improve quality of life for those patients, researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health are working on a test that would allow clinicians to more thoroughly check for bacteria left behind by the disease. Results from the test development were posted in PLOS ONE.
According to a statement from the researchers, the test will allow for a deeper look at “thousands of FDA-approved drugs to see if they will work against the bacteria that cause tick-borne Lyme disease.” The bacteria, known as Borrelia burgdorferi, have been difficult to check for up until this point.
Ying Zhan, MD, PhD, who led the research effort, said the test was based in a concept used for counting DNA samples in their labs. By making changes, they were able to see how many of the bacteria in a patient were still alive and how many were dead after interacting with the drugs.
“It’s superior to the current gold standard for testing Borrelia viability,” Zhang said. “This could become the new gold standard.” – See more at: https://www.hcplive.com/publications/contagion/2014/november2014/New-Study-Provides-Hope-for-Chronic-Lyme-Disease-Sufferers-#sthash.NwMWtzap.dpuf
I have been suffering for over two years. I have see Dr. David Forest in Nananimo BC Canada
It all started with a lack of energy and than a rash all over my body. I was sent to a Demetoligist and test did not show any thing. At the time I was going threw menopause and had gain weight.
After other test nothing showed up. I told my doctor that I thought after going to a thrift shop I thought I had been bite by something.
Next test was for Lyme’s disease and it came back positatve, which I was informed could be a false positive. I was off work for three months and on drugs that messed me up me. Took myself off them and returned to work. I am off again and I need help. Please can to direct me to someone that will help?