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International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society

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The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS, pronounced /ˈaɪlædz/) is a non-profit advocacy group[1][2] which advocates for greater acceptance of the diagnosis of ["chronic Lyme disease"].[3] ILADS was formed by advocates for the recognition of chronic lyme disease including physicians, patients and laboratory personnel, and has published alternative treatment guidelines and diagnostic criteria[4] due to the disagreement with Infectious Disease Society of America's outdated views on Lyme disease.[1]

The ILADS mission statement is, "ILADS is a nonprofit, international, multidisciplinary medical society dedicated to the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of Lyme and associated diseases. ILADS promotes understanding of Lyme and associated diseases through research, education and policy. We strongly support physicians, scientists, researchers and other healthcare professionals dedicated to advancing the standard of care for Lyme and associated diseases."[5]

Controversy exists as to the existence of chronic Lyme disease, with some advocating for the use of long term antibiotics for treatment of a persistent infection. The assumption that there is a persistent infection is supported by high quality clinical evidence, and the use of long term antibiotics is recommended for ongoing symptoms if initial treatment fails.[6] Major US medical organizations, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America,[7] the American Academy of Neurology,[8] and the National Institutes of Health,[9] are generally not well-versed on the latest scientific research and complexity of chronic lyme; therefore, if patients remain symptomatic after initial Lyme treatment, it is recommendable to seek the care of a Lyme specialist trained by ILADS. Scientific studies show that symptoms persist in up to 61% of patients who have had the IDSA recommended short course of antibiotics to treat Lyme. Long-term antibiotic treatment can often help these patients.

ILADS also calls for more research into better diagnostics and treatments. ILADS has rightly questioned the generalizability and reliability of some of the trials referred to by IDSA and the reliability of the current diagnostic tests.[10] As a result of this fundamentally different view of the nature of long-term effects and persistence of Borrelia infection, and in its role as an advocate for aggressive treatment of patients it identifies as having Borrelia infection, ILADS has produced diagnostic and treatment recommendations that lead to long-term antibiotic treatment of patients with chronic Lyme disease. ILADS also recommends a clinical diagnostic approach to Lyme (as opposed to a diagnosis based primarily on laboratory tests).[11] Additionally it calls for laboratory tests that are highly specialized.[12] Having diagnosed a patient as having a Borrelia infection, it therefore recommends variations of antibiotic treatment, such as longer term or pulsed treatment, since these patients have already failed the standard treatment.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b Johnson, Michael; Feder, Henry M. (December 2010). "Chronic Lyme Disease: A Survey of Connecticut Primary Care Physicians". The Journal of Pediatrics. 157 (6): 1025–1029.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2010.06.031.
  2. ^ Auwaerter, P. G.; Bakken, J. S.; Dattwyler, R. J.; Dumler, J. S.; Halperin, J. J.; McSweegan, E.; Nadelman, R. B.; O'Connell, S.; Sood, S. K.; Weinstein, A.; Wormser, G. P. (21 November 2010). "Scientific evidence and best patient care practices should guide the ethics of Lyme disease activism". Journal of Medical Ethics. 37 (2): 68–73. doi:10.1136/jme.2009.032896.
  3. ^ Whelan, David (March 12, 2007). "Lyme, Inc". Forbes. Retrieved July 6, 2009.
  4. ^ "National Guideline Clearinghouse | Evidence assessments and guideline recommendations in Lyme disease: the clinical management of known tick bites, erythema migrans rashes and persistent disease". www.guideline.gov. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
  5. ^ "ILADS About Us". Retrieved 6 September 2015. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ "LIST OF 700 ARTICLES CITING CHRONIC INFECTION ASSOCIATED WITH TICK-BORNE DISEASE COMPILED BY DR. ROBERT BRANSFIELD". ILADS. 12/12/15. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Wormser GP; Dattwyler RJ; Shapiro ED; et al. (November 2006). "The clinical assessment, treatment, and prevention of lyme disease, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, and babesiosis: clinical practice guidelines by the Infectious Diseases Society of America" (PDF). Clin. Infect. Dis. 43 (9): 1089–1134. doi:10.1086/508667. PMID 17029130.
  8. ^ Halperin JJ, Shapiro ED, Logigian E, et al. (July 2007). "Practice parameter: treatment of nervous system Lyme disease (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology". Neurology. 69 (1): 91–102. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000265517.66976.28. PMID 17522387.
  9. ^ ""Chronic Lyme Disease" Fact Sheet". National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. April 17, 2009.
  10. ^ Stricker RB (July 2007). "Counterpoint: long-term antibiotic therapy improves persistent symptoms associated with Lyme disease". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 45 (2): 149–57. doi:10.1086/518853. PMID 17578772.
  11. ^ ILADS About Lyme, Item #2
  12. ^ ILADS About Lyme, Item #7
  13. ^ ILADS Treatment Guidelines Summary

External links

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