Dr. Allen Steere discusses Lyme Arthritis, its history, diagnosis challenges, varying manifestations, treatment options, and post-treatment syndromes. The podcast explores the links between Lyme Arthritis and autoimmune diseases, post-treatment syndrome management, and the impact of climate change on Lyme disease spread.
Dr. Steer's pioneering work identified Borrelia spirochete as the cause of Lyme Arthritis.
Treatment of Lyme Arthritis includes oral doxycycline as a primary therapy with potential need for extended treatment.
Deep dives
Understanding the Origins of Lyme Arthritis
Dr. Alan Steer, a pioneer in Lyme arthritis research, delves into the history of the disease starting with the identification of an epidemic form of arthritis in Eastern Connecticut in 1972. He discusses the key role of geography and distinct skin lesions in pinpointing cases. Dr. Steer's groundbreaking work led to the discovery of the Borrelia spirochete responsible for Lyme disease.
Manifestations and Challenges in Diagnosing Lyme Arthritis
Dr. Steer explains the varied manifestations of Lyme disease and the factors influencing disease severity among patients. He highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by the multi-stage nature of the illness and the necessity of utilizing antibody testing for detecting Lyme arthritis.
Treatment Approaches and Management of Lyme Arthritis
In treating Lyme arthritis, Dr. Steer emphasizes the efficacy of oral doxycycline as a primary therapy, often administered for a month. He discusses the course of antibiotic treatment and the potential need for extended therapy based on patient response. Furthermore, he addresses the occasional requirement for intravenous antibiotics and the role of demard therapy in managing persistent symptoms.
Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndromes and Future Directions
Exploring the complexities of post-treatment Lyme disease syndromes, Dr. Steer delves into the challenges of addressing lingering joint pain and fatigue post-treatment. He underscores the diverse range of symptoms in affected individuals and the ongoing need for research to unravel the mechanisms underlying these lingering effects. Moreover, he touches upon preventive measures and the potential impact of climate change on the epidemiology of Lyme disease.
Internationally renowned Lyme Disease clinician and researcher, Dr. Allen Steere, joins us for a discussion on Lyme Arthritis. Dr. Steere explains the history of this disease, the historical identification of the borrelia spirochete which causes it, how Lyme Arthritis manifests and presents (including why severity can be vary greatly in patients) and explore the current challenges in its diagnosis. We also cover treatment and antibiotic therapies for the disease, what post-treatment syndromes are, how to treat them and how understanding Lyme Arthritis has improved our knowledge of other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
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