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.

Presented By

Paul Mead, MD, MPH
Chief, Epidemiology and Surveillance Activity, Bacterial Disease Branch,
Division of Vector-borne Infectious Diseases, NCEZID, CDC
Presentation: Ecology, Epidemiology and Prevention of Lyme Disease in the United States

Allen Steere, MD
Director of Clinical Research, Rheumatology Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Presentation: Clinical and Treatment Challenges

Adriana Marques, MD
Chief, Clinical Studies Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
National Institutes of Health
Presentation: Diagnostic Testing for Lyme Disease

Ruth Lynfield, MD
State Epidemiologist
Minnesota Department of Health
Presentation: A State Perspective

Facilitated By

Tanja Popovic, MD, PhD, Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
John Iskander, MD, MPH, Deputy Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
Susan Laird, MSN, RN, Communications Manager, Public Health Grand Rounds

Additional Resources

• Ask CDC: Lyme Disease [2:26]
• Get Ticks Off: A Minute of Health with CDC [0:59]