Lyme Disease: Challenges and Innovations

Lyme disease is one of the most rapidly emerging infectious diseases in North America and Europe. Named after a small Connecticut town, Lyme disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of ticks infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This multi-system infection typically occurs in stages with different clinical manifestations at each stage. While it can be treated effectively with antibiotics, in some cases recovery may be incomplete – although there is no evidence that any of these post-Lyme disease syndromes respond to further courses of antibiotic therapy.

On May 19, 2011, Dr. Allen Steere joined an esteemed panel of Grand Rounds speakers to explore the clinical manifestations and treatment of Lyme disease, innovations in laboratory testing, prevention strategies, and national trends of disease emergence. The session gave a rare glimpse into the front lines of those battling and treating Lyme disease while addressing the data gaps, unmet needs, and overall challenges and opportunities for its prevention and control.