title: Perspectives on "chronic Lyme disease".
abstract: There is much controversy about the treatment of Lyme disease with respect to 2 poorly defined entities: "chronic Lyme disease" and "posttreatment Lyme disease syndrome." In the absence of direct evidence that these conditions are the result of a persistent infection, some mistakenly advocate extended antibiotic therapy (>/=6 months), which can do great harm and has resulted in at least 1 death. The purpose of this brief report is to review what is known from clinical research about these conditions to assist both practicing physicians and lawmakers in making sound and safe decisions with respect to treatment.
authors.affiliation: American Lyme Disease Foundation, Lyme, Connecticut, USA. inquire@aldf.com
authors.forename: Phillip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents