According to the CDC, Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the country, with more than 30,000 reported cases each year. Many experts believe that number could actually be considerably higher with more accurate tests.
To improve diagnostic tests and understand how Lyme disease can cause long-term symptoms, the researchers examined 29 patients infected with the tick-borne bacteria before and after they were given a three-week long antibiotic course, and six months later.
They found Lyme disease patients had a unique gene pattern in their white blood cells that endured for at least three weeks and — in some cases, up to six months — despite treatment with antibiotics.
The study also revealed similarities between the genetic changes that take place after a Lyme disease infection and other illnesses, like influenza, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome.
More articles on Lyme disease:
Move over B. burgdorferi: 2nd Lyme-disease causing species of bacteria discovered
Johns Hopkins launches first Lyme disease study center in US: 5 things to know
Common allergy medicine could kill Lyme disease-causing bacteria
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