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- A direct diagnostic test for Lyme disease
is critically important.
We do not have a direct test for Lyme disease.
The currently available tests,
do not directly measure the bacteria
that causes Lyme disease.
The lack of a direct diagnostic test means
that we can't tell from testing alone
whether somebody has active infection.
The current Lyme disease serologic tests
measure antibody production.
Those antibodies are produced by our immune system.
These antibodies could be memory antibodies
from an infection years or decades earlier,
and don't equate directly
with active infection with Lyme disease.
The serologic tests alone cannot tell you
if you still have bacteria in your system.
They're not a direct test of the presence of infection.
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The COVID test on the other hand,
is a direct measurement of the active infection.
The currently available COVID tests,
measure the nucleic acid of the virus, and if it's present,
you're actively infected.
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Our research program
at the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center
is focused on two critical aspects.
One is improving the early diagnosis of acute Lyme disease
to improve recognition of the rash
and improved blood diagnostics of acute Lyme disease.
The second mission of the research center
is understanding the mechanisms and treatment of patients
that have lingering, persistent symptoms,
even after treatment of their Lyme disease.
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- I was diagnosed with late stage Lyme disease.
I had three young children at the time,
and I was extremely overwhelmed, and I had been suffering.
I felt so comforted that I had a doctor with expertise
in my diagnosis.
And a doctor that was highly invested
in research and discovery.
I was given an opportunity to participate
in one of his research studies.
The team at Hopkins was wonderful.
They cared about me, they wanted to see me well.
It's not about me and my story,
because I know that there are so many other people
that have been positively impacted.
Whether it was through the direct care
or through the research,
that really gave me a new promise,
and I think it's significant to share.
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