Remnants of Lyme Bacteria Responsible for Ongoing Brain Inflammation?

A new study from Tulane researchers just published in Scientific Reports, demonstrates that remnants of the Lyme disease causing bacteria may contribute to ongoing inflammation in both the central and peripheral nervous systems even when bacteria is no longer viable. Researchers studied the B. burgdorferi (Bb) remnants on nervous system tissue using a nonhuman primate model looking at effects on both the frontal cortex and the dorsal root ganglion. Inflammatory markers found in these areas were significantly higher in samples exposed to remnants of B. burgdorferi than in samples exposed to live bacteria. Remnants were also significantly higher in the frontal cortex than the dorsal root ganglion and were found to also cause cell death in brain neurons. All of these impacts can cause serious long-term health consequences.

Researchers state that there remains uncertainty regarding how Bb spirochetes disseminate into the brain tissue, and that although antibiotics may kill the bacteria in these organs, remnants could remain and induce ongoing inflammation. Although these findings may explain some of the neurological symptoms and conditions that persist after a Lyme infection, authors stated that further studies are planned to explore and investigate both therapies for neuroinflammation as well as the mechanisms for why the body may not be able to clear bacteria or their remnants. 

Access to the full text article in Scientific Reports here

Read the Tulane News article here