For years, doctors have been puzzled by the mysterious case of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLD), where patients who have received treatment for Lyme disease still experience severe fatigue, cognitive challenges, body pain, and arthritis. A recent study found that 14% of patients who were diagnosed and treated early with antibiotic therapy would still develop PTLD.

Now, Northwestern University scientists believe they have cracked the code to understanding the causes behind this condition. According to Brandon L. Jutras, a bacteriologist leading the research, the body may be responding to remnants of the Borrelia burgdorferi cell wall, which breaks down during treatment yet lingers in the liver.

The key lies in peptidoglycan, a structural feature of virtually all bacterial cells and a common target of antibiotics. Jutras’ team found that while peptidoglycan from other bacteria is rapidly shed after treatment, Lyme disease’s peptidoglycan persists for weeks to months. In humans, pieces of this peptidoglycan were omnipresent in the fluid of patients with Lyme arthritis, even after treatment.

The research suggests that the maladaptive response to these lingering molecules may be behind PTLD. Jutras explained that some patients have a more robust immune response, which could result in a worse disease outcome, while others’ immune systems largely ignore the molecule. This individualized response is likely influenced by genetic factors.

The findings open up new avenues for research and treatment options. Jutras hopes to develop more accurate tests for PTLD patients and refine treatment options when antibiotics have failed. He also proposes neutralizing the inflammatory molecule using monoclonal antibodies to target peptidoglycan for destruction.

With this breakthrough, scientists are one step closer to understanding and effectively treating PTLD, providing relief to millions of people worldwide affected by this debilitating condition.

The Lyme epidemic affects nearly half a million individuals in the United States each year, causing devastating acute cases and chronic symptoms like heart problems, neurological issues, and arthritis. However, early treatment with antibiotics can prevent these complications.

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that piperacillin, an antibiotic from the same class as penicillin, is effective in curing mice of Lyme disease at a much lower dose than the current gold standard treatment, doxycycline. At this low dose, piperacillin has virtually no impact on resident gut microbes, unlike other antibiotics that can cause troublesome side effects.

Doxycycline and generic antibiotics wreak havoc on the microbiome, killing beneficial bacteria in the gut, whereas piperacillin is more targeted and exclusive to interfering with the unique cell wall synthesis pattern common to Lyme bacteria. This makes it a promising candidate for preemptive interventions, such as single-dose shots for someone potentially exposed to Lyme after a known deer tick bite.

Brandon L. Jutras, the study’s lead researcher, notes that powerful broad-spectrum antibiotics like doxycycline are often seen as effective because they kill extracellular bacteria without considering how it might impact other beneficial microbes in the gut. However, this approach is becoming less relevant with the increasing understanding of customized medicine and personalized approaches to treating Lyme disease.

Piperacillin has already been FDA-approved for safe treatment of pneumonia, making it a potential candidate for targeted interventions against Lyme disease. The researchers screened nearly 500 medicines using a molecular framework and found that piperacillin exclusively interfered with the cell wall synthesis pattern common to Lyme bacteria, preventing growth and division, ultimately leading to its death.

Historically, piperacillin has been administered as part of a two-drug cocktail for severe strep infections. However, in this context, adding another beta-lactamase inhibitor doesn’t improve therapy but rather negatively impacts the microbiome by becoming more broadly functional against beneficial residents.

The study was supported by several organizations, including the Bay Area Lyme Foundation and the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease. Jutras hopes that this research will help in developing proactive strategies for diagnosing and treating Lyme disease, as prevention remains a significant challenge with no approved human vaccine existing.

Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis, a novel species of bacteria, has been discovered in a mud flat at the Oregon coast. This breakthrough could lead to the development of bioelectronic devices for various applications, including medicine, industry, food safety, and environmental monitoring and cleanup.

Researchers from Oregon State University, led by postdoctoral researcher Cheng Li and distinguished professor emerita Clare Reimers, identified the new species in intertidal sediment samples from the Yaquina Bay estuary. The team’s findings were published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Cable bacteria are known for their unique ability to conduct electricity, an adaptation that optimizes their metabolic processes in sediment environments. Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis features a mix of metabolic pathways and genes from the Ca. Electrothrix genus and other known cable bacteria genera. This new species is distinct from others in terms of its metabolic potential and structural features.

Cheng Li noted that this new species could provide insights into how these bacteria evolved and functioned in different environments. The highly conductive fibers made of unique, nickel-based molecules enable the bacteria to perform long-distance electron transport, connecting electron acceptors with donors in deeper sediment layers.

These bacteria play a crucial role in sediment geochemistry and nutrient cycling. Their ability to transfer electrons could be used to clean up pollutants from sediments. Additionally, their design of highly conductive nickel protein might inspire new bioelectronics.

The researchers drew the name Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis from the Yaqona people, whose ancestral lands encompassed Yaquina Bay. This acknowledges the historical bond between the tribe and the land, as well as the enduring contributions to ecological knowledge and sustainability.

The discovery of Ca. Electrothrix yaqonensis could have significant implications for various industries and environmental applications. Further research is needed to fully explore its potential and understand how these bacteria evolved to develop their unique features.