Discovery of Persistent Peptidoglycan
Northwestern University scientists, led by Brandon L. Jutras, discovered that remnants of the Borrelia burgdorferi cell wall, specifically peptidoglycan, persist in the liver after Lyme disease treatment, potentially causing Post Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD) symptoms.
Unlike other bacteria, Lyme's peptidoglycan is structurally unique and persists due to modifications from sugars extracted from its tick vector, leading to a prolonged immune response in some patients.
Implications for Treatment and Understanding
The research suggests a shared mechanism of inappropriate inflammation between PTLD and conditions like long COVID, stemming from remnants of a previous infection.
Jutras' team found that anti-inflammatory drugs could improve Lyme arthritis symptoms, indicating a unique patient response at a genetic level, and highlighting the need for alternative treatments beyond standard antibiotics.