Is Post Lyme Disease Syndrome the same as Chronic Lyme or distinct from it?

[Guest guest]

I'm just trying to decipher the following message sent through Lymeinfo

regarding PLDS and would appreciate your informed opinion.

ContactsLymeInfo Anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibody profile

in post-Lyme

disease syndrome

Chandra A, Wormser GP, Marques AR, Latov N, Alaedini A.

Clinical Vaccine and Immunology, published online ahead of

print on 16 March 2011.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/CVI.00002-11

Abstract

Patients with post-Lyme disease syndrome (PLDS) report

persistent symptoms of pain, fatigue, and/or concentration

and memory disturbances despite antibiotic treatment for

Lyme borreliosis. The etiopathogenesis of these symptoms

remains unknown and no effective therapies have been

identified.

We sought to examine the anti-borrelia antibody profile in

affected patients with the aim of finding clues to the

mechanism of the syndrome and its relationship to the

original spirochetal infection. Serum specimens from 54

borrelial seropositive PLDS patients were examined for

antibodies to B. burgdorferi proteins p18, p25, p28, p30,

p31, p34, p39, p41, p45, p58, p66, p93, and VlsE by

automated immunoblotting and software-assisted band

analysis. Presence of serum antibodies to the 31 kDa band

was further investigated by examination of reactivity

against purified recombinant OspA protein. Control specimens

included sera from 14 borrelial seropositive individuals

with a history of early localized or disseminated Lyme

disease who were symptom-free (post-Lyme healthy), as well

as 20 healthy individuals without serologic evidence or

history of Lyme disease.

In comparison to the post-Lyme healthy group, higher

frequencies of antibody to p28 (p <0.05), p30 (p <0.05), p31

(p <0.0001), and p34 (p <0.05) proteins were found in the

PLDS group. Assessment of antibody reactivity to recombinant

OspA confirmed the presence of elevated levels in PLDS

patients (p <0.005). The described anti-borrelia antibody

profile in PLDS offers clues about the course of the

antecedent infection in affected patients, which may be

useful for understanding the pathogenic mechanism of the

disease.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/CVI.00002-11

I've had PLDS that's flared up and down for 17 years and have constantly treid

to find treatment though GPs in New York, took part in a Stoneybrook University

Hospital Chronic Lyme study, where Western Blots and a spinal tap returned

negative results. I thought all options were closed when I moved back to

Queensland until I found this group. I tried the Buhner Protocol for four months

last year and found that it produced a crushing fatigue. I'm now working with a

great doctor who's having a go at it, am pulsing ABX, Plaquinel, and herbal

supplements but haven't experienced any herxing other than the Bughner fatigue.

All lupus, rheumatic tests are negative.

Are there any options for people with PLDS. Indeed, is there anything credible

written on the topic?

I guess I'll stay the course until Dr N is next over and see what develops.

Thanks,