A Distinct Microbiome Signature in Posttreatment Lyme Disease Patients
Madeleine Morrissette, Norman Pitt, Antonio González, Philip Strandwitz, Mariaelena Caboni, Alison W. Rebman, Rob Knight, Anthony D’Onofrio, John N. Aucott, Mark J. Soloski, Kim Lewis
Abstract
Most patients with acute Lyme disease are cured with antibiotic intervention, but 10 to 20% endure debilitating symptoms such as fatigue, neurological complications, and myalgias after treatment, a condition known as posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). The etiology of PTLDS is not understood, and objective diagnostic tools are lacking. PTLDS symptoms overlap several diseases in which patients exhibit alterations in their microbiome. We found that patients with PTLDS have a distinct microbiome signature, allowing for an accurate classification of over 80% of analyzed cases. The signature is characterized by an increase in Blautia , a decrease in Bacteroides , and other changes. Importantly, this signature supports the validity of PTLDS and is the first potential biological diagnostic tool for the disease.