• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center

Show Search
Hide Search
  • Lyme Disease
    • Signs & Symptoms of Lyme Disease
    • Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
    • Lyme Disease Treatment and Prognosis
    • Lyme Disease Prevention, Tick Removal, & Health and Wellness Tips
    • Lyme Disease Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    • Lyme Disease Video Education Series
    • Lyme Disease Education Resources
  • About the Center
    • Meet Our Team
    • Make an Appointment
    • Tick Bite and Lyme Disease Rash Telehealth Consultation
    • Address & Directions
    • Refill a Prescription
    • Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
  • News & Impact
    • Impact Report
    • Newsletters
    • Research News
    • In The News
    • Events
    • Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
  • Our Research
    • Research Publications
    • SLICE II Study
  • Make a Gift
Home / Lyme Disease Education Resources / What are the biggest risk factors for persistent symptoms in Lyme disease?

What are the biggest risk factors for persistent symptoms in Lyme disease?

May 14, 2020 By Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center

Untreated Lyme disease often leads to chronic infection and persistent symptoms

  • Swollen knees
  • Arthritis
  • Severe fatigue
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Neurologic symptoms 
  • Cognitive problems

Even with early treatment patients can experience persistent symptoms

Our Center’s SLICE Studies (Study of Lyme disease Immunology and Clinical Events) have produced human biologic specimens that are enabling important insights into the complex biologic mechanisms in Lyme disease and its varied persistent manifestations.

Biggest risk factors for persistent symptoms in Lyme disease

  • Unrecognized diagnosis and lack of appropriate treatment
    • Lack of rash recognition
  • Delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis
  • Delayed or inadequate treatment
  • Neurologic involvement
  • Increased severity of initial illness

Our research is showing that variation in genetics and genetic control of the immune system may contribute to illness persistence. Immune evasion can allow persistent infection to involve multiple systems and manifest with symptoms of organ involvement. Immune dysregulation has the potential to lead to persistent inflammation and immune mediated symptoms.

Our Center is investigating the causes of persistent symptoms in Lyme disease including the potential roles of:

  • Infection-induced immune dysfunction or auto-immunity
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Persistent bacterial infection or bacterial debris
  • Altered neural pathways
  • Host genetic or immunologic factors
  • Microbiologic factors
  • Patient experience factors
  • Other biologic mechanisms of disease

Lyme Disease Awareness Month Information


How informed are you about Lyme Disease?

COVID-19 or Lyme Disease Featured

How to Distinguish the Signs & Symptoms of Acute Lyme Disease from COVID-19?

The Path to Better Diagnostic Tests is Through Innovative Research

Think the Lyme Disease Rash is Always a Bullseye? THINK AGAIN!

Tick on a Leaf with Text Overlayed

While you are social distancing, ticks are not!

Filed Under: Lyme Disease Awareness, Lyme Disease Education Resources Tagged With: Johns Hopkins 2020 Lyme Disease Awareness Campaign

Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center

Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center

The Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center is focused on patient-based research in all manifestations of Lyme disease. Our goal is to translate our pioneering research into improved patient care, education, and health outcomes.

Use of This Site

All information contained within the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center website is intended for educational purposes only. Physicians and other health care professionals are encouraged to consult other sources and confirm the information contained within this site. Consumers should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they may have read on this website.

Primary Sidebar

Lyme Disease Awareness Webinar for Patients

Computer Illustrated with visuals related to webinar
Friday, May 29th, 2020 12:00 PM
Find out what you need to know about Lyme disease and tick-borne illness in the COVID-19 era.

Register Today

Fourth Annual Lyme Disease Topics at Johns Hopkins

Fourth Annual Lyme Disease Topics at Johns Hopkins for Healthcare Professionals with tick on leaf in background
Friday, June 5th, 2020
This one-day symposium provides the latest information on Lyme disease and tick-borne disease in the era of COVID-19 and will help health practitioners better understand disease complexities and improve patient care.

Register Today

Footer

Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

  • Johns Hopkins Rheumatology
  • Arthritis Center
  • Lupus Center
  • Myositis Center
  • Scleroderma Center
  • Sjögren’s Syndrome Center
  • Vasculitis Center

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

U.S. News and World Report Rankings Badge

Johns Hopkins Medicine

© 2021 Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center
Patient Privacy