IDSA Retracts Publication that Contains Inaccurate Statement

According to a June 22 press release from the Patient-Centered Care Advocacy Group (PCCAG), in response to a complaint filed by PCCAG President Bruce Fries, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has removed the publication, “Ten Facts You Should Know About Lyme Disease,” from its website.

The release indicates that the IDSA leadership removed this publication after they were informed that the document contained an inaccurate statement that “Lyme disease is caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi that is only transmitted to humans when they are bitten by an infected tick….It is well documented that Lyme disease can be transmitted from mother to fetus and lead to adverse birth outcomes. Transmission of B. burgdorferi from mother to fetus in humans has been documented with Borrelia spirochetes identified in fetal tissues/and or placenta by various methods including culture, immunohistochemistry with use of specific monoclonal antibodies, indirect immunofluorescence, PCR and microscopy.” Both CDC and NIH acknowledge this mode of transmission.

Bruce Fries also serves as an advisor for research and public policy for Mothers Against Lyme, a recently formed advocacy group, and PCCAG is an LDAnet partner organization.  

Read full press release here. 

Lyme disease is a currently a trending clinical topic on Medscape, click here to read.