Lyme Borreliosis: A Disabling Disease

According to the Carlos III Health Institute (Ministry of Science and Innovation), Lyme disease is an emerging bacterial infection in Europe. It is contracted through the bite of an Ixodes tick infected with Borrelia burgdorferi.

Lyme disease is a zoonosis (a pathology that can pass from animals to humans) that may present as a non-specific flu-like illness accompanied by erythema migrans, a characteristic skin lesion of the disease.

While the infection is often asymptomatic, in some cases it can lead to a disabling condition (long-lasting joint pain, partial paralysis of the limbs, etc.). It is important to note that Lyme disease is not contagious. [1]

Post-Treatment Syndrome present in 20% of patients

Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) is a condition where patients experience persistent symptoms of fatigue, pain, and cognitive difficulties more than 6 months after completing antibiotic treatment for acute Lyme disease.

Up to 20% of patients with Lyme disease develop PTLDS. By definition, the syndrome includes a previous diagnosis and recurring symptoms of fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, or cognitive impairment that persist for at least six months after the end of antibiotic therapy.

Although a history of a tick bite or the erythema migrans (EM) rash allows for a quick diagnosis, few patients are aware of the bite prior to infection, and some never develop the EM rash.

Chronic Manifestations of Lyme Disease

Chronic manifestations can result from delayed diagnosis or the failure of antibiotic therapy. Some patients remain ill for long periods after treatment or see the disease progress despite therapy. [2]

Tick Bites and Lyme Disease

Chronic manifestations are associated with significant and long-lasting alterations in quality of life. In trials sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), quality-of-life scores were lower than those of healthy populations. [3]

Socioeconomic Impact

The economic impact can be considerable: 39.4% of patients reduced or left their jobs, and 37.3% spent at least $5,000 on illness-related costs. [4]

• There is no widely accepted definition of "Chronic Lyme Disease." [3]

• The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) proposes diagnostic criteria for PTLDS including previous diagnosis, stabilization after antibiotics, and persistent symptoms for at least 6 months. [5]

A research project on supplementation with Hifas da Terra mushroom extracts has been agreed upon for a group of 19 people with PTLDS.

New Studies for Symptom Management

Hifas da Terra has conducted a study on Chronic Lyme associated with Mycotherapy.

• The study evaluated Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) over 3 months.

• Collaboration with Déborah Jublin and the Réseau Lyme Europe association.

• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) has been studied for its anti-inflammatory action and its relationship with fatigue. [6–11]

• Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) has been studied at the cognitive and digestive levels, contributing to the gut microbiota. [12–17]

Complementary support with these extracts could help improve persistent symptoms following conventional treatment.

Lyme Study Details

Participants: 18 to 65 years old with a confirmed diagnosis via ELISA and Western blot, previous antibiotic treatment, and persistent symptoms.

Protocol:

• 2 capsules daily of Mico-Rei (Reishi)

• 3 capsules daily of Mico-Leo (Lion's Mane)

• Duration: 12 weeks

• Evaluations: At 6 and 12 weeks.

• Questionnaires used: Fatigue and pain (McGill / QDSA).
  
  

Promising Results

• Participants showed 65% positive responses in fatigue and 57% in pain after 12 weeks.

• Improvements were observed as early as the sixth week.

• These results suggest potential benefits of supplementation with specific extracts in Chronic Lyme.

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