The FY21 Tick-Borne Disease Research Program (TBDRP) Program Announcements managed by the Department of Defense (DOD) office of Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) are now posted to the grants.gov (search grants by CFDA Number 12.420) and on the CDMRP website.
Pfizer has received priority review for their vaccine, TicoVac, that protects against tick-borne encephalitis. This tick-borne virus can cause meningitis and trigger long-term neurological symptoms. If approved, the vaccine would potentially protect travelers as well as members of the US military that are deployed to regions where the virus is common, such as Europe and parts of Asia.
Valneva and Pfizer announced that they have initiated a Phase 2 study for their Lyme disease vaccine candidate. This new study builds on previous studies, including new dose regimens as well as being the first clinical study to include children between the ages 5-17 years.
A peer-reviewed report co-authored by Melissa C Fesler and Raphael B Stricker has been published in the International Journal of General Medicine which evaluates pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using medications approved for use in pregnant women to prevent gestational problems and severe illness in this high-risk population.
On Thursday, December 17, 2020, Project Lyme will host a Zoom meeting with Robert Bransfield, MD and Pat Smith, President, Lyme Disease Association, discussing the IDSA, relationship to CDC, what are the new guidelines, how have they changed, comparison to ILADS guidelines and other topics.
A new direct test for Lyme disease was announced by Galaxy Diagnostics Inc., the Nanotrap® Urine Test for Lyme Borreliosis. This is a urine-based Lyme antigen test, that Galaxy states “provides the most sensitive direct detection of Borrelia burgdorferi infection at all stages of the disease.” The test is easily administered through collection of urine; and identifies positive cases […]
On July 20, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered a new active ingredient called nootkatone, which repels and kill ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests including bed bugs, and fleas. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) discovered and developed the new ingredient, a non-toxic chemical found in Alaska yellow cedar trees and grapefruit skin in […]
News from Congressman Chris Smith website: The House of Representatives passed an amendment authored by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) which increases Lyme disease research funding by $4 million, for a total of $20 million, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for fiscal year 2021. The amendment, which passed July 30th, has been […]
Valneva announced that the vaccine candidate against Lyme disease, VLA15-201, showed positive initial results meeting its endpoints in the Phase 2 study. They stated in the July 22, 2020 press release that “compared to Phase 1, the higher doses used in this trial elicited higher antibody responses across all serotypes.” Of particular note was the […]
Elizabeth Maloney, MD, explains current Lyme disease testing issues, including the ELISA and Western Blot, sensitivity and specificity of the testing, and the problems associated with the two-tier testing recommended by the CDC. It begins with the general characteristics of diagnostic testing The Summary states: “Serologic testing for Lyme is inaccurate. While the inadequate sensitivity […]
