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Document Type

Poster

Description

Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector-borne disease in the United States, according to the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA). The guidelines for diagnosis provided by the IDSA include evidence of erythema migrans rash with validation of a positive two-tier serology testing. With no established treatment standards, decreased sensitivity of testing and inconsistency of observing the rash, practitioners following the guidelines may delay treatment of antibiotics. This delay could cause progression of severity of symptoms.

The purpose of this study is to compare implementation and duration time of antibiotics and establish the treatment protocol for best clinical outcomes for Lyme disease. Diagnosis will be based on practitioner’s clinical judgment with or without positive serology testing and erythema rash. Review of literature will define late, chronic and recurrent Lyme disease, describe recurrent treatment of Lyme disease, compare and contrast present protocols with different duration and types of antibiotics, and examine markers and subjective reports as evidence of improvement. Guidelines and recommendations will be provided from Lyme disease experts.

Significant results found that early implemented, shorter duration antibiotic use provided the greatest clinical improvement long term.

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Degree Name

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Publication Date

2014

Keywords

Anti-Bacterial Agents -- adminstration & dosage; Lyme Disease -- diagnosis; Lyme Disease -- drug therapy; Treatment Outcome; Comparative Study

Disciplines

Infectious Disease

Lyme Disease Outcomes with Immediate, Short Duration Antibiotic Use Versus Delayed, Longer Duration Use

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