New test for faster early detection of Lyme disease

New Lyme disease test is faster and more reliable
Researchers have developed a new test that can detect Borrelia infection early. In this way, patients can be recognized more quickly and then be able to take appropriate therapeutic steps. The test could be put into clinical use later this fall.

Scientists from the Medical University of Vienna have succeeded in developing a new test for the early detection of Lyme disease. This brings faster information about a present disease. Thus, physicians could advise the patient rather to an effective therapy. MedUni Vienna has informed in a recent press release about the current state of research.

Scientists have succeeded in developing a new test that can detect Borrelia infection faster and more reliably. (Image: Ingo Sch./fotolia.com)

New test detects current infections faster and thus enables better treatment
The physicians of the Infection Immunology working group of the Institute of Hygiene and Applied Immunology at the Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology of the MedUni Vienna are working on the development of a new test for the early detection of Lyme disease. All the research took place within the framework of the EU project "ID-Lyme". The new test should help to detect a present infection better, the doctors say. This means that healthy people with Borrelia antibodies in the blood need not be unnecessarily treated with antibiotics and it can be initiated in patients faster the right therapeutic steps, the experts explain. Current antibody tests require at least three to four weeks after infection to achieve a meaningful result.

Today's investigations interpret pure antibody reactions often wrong
Hannes Stockinger, director of the Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology and the Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology of the MedUni Vienna, explains in the current press release that unfortunately the current standard laboratory examination is often unable to detect the early current infection To prove Borrelia. "In addition, the current tests often interpret a pure antibody response as an infection and treat it with antibiotics, although that would not be necessary as it is a long ago or healed infection," continued Stockinger , Gerold Stanek of the MedUni Vienna adds that not every tick bite must lead to a disease and not every positive Borrelia test also means a disease. That was also the "treacherous" at the Borrelia. The researcher is considered one of the pioneers in domestic Borrelia research. According to the expert, "for example, many hunters, who are naturally more likely to be in the forest and in the meadow, are in good health even though they have Borrelia antibodies, i. have previously and repeatedly come in contact with Borrelia. "

The new test will allow a more accurate and earlier diagnosis
The previous test analyzes only a small part of the human immune system. The test examines only the so-called B-cells, but not the T-cells, say the doctors. These are needed as helper cells to fight the infection. The activity of the cells indicates the presence of an infection, explain the experts of the MedUni Vienna on. That's why the medical team from Vienna are working to help develop the world's first point-of-care test. Through this it would then be possible to detect current infections and to initiate the correct treatment of the patients. The so-called "Ixodes-Kit" test will be put into clinical use this autumn, the physicians of MedUni Vienna explain in the current press release. The term Ixodes is the scientific name for Schildzecken.

Global warming creates the best conditions for ticks
In Central Europe and the Scandinavian countries, a so-called Lyme disease can be found very frequently. The distribution area continues to expand further north, say the experts. This process is favored by the global warming. It should also be noted that ticks are getting active earlier. For example, there is currently a very good climate for ticks in Austria, explains Stanek. "Ticks become active when the soil temperature rises to around 7 degrees Celsius, which is now the case in spring," says the expert.

Still no way to vaccinate against Lyme disease
Unlike TBE viruses, which are spread via a tick bite, there is currently no way to vaccinate against Lyme disease. In Austria alone, about 70,000 new cases are found each year after a tick bite, say the experts of MedUni Vienna. It can roughly be said that about one in every four ticks carry Borrelia. As a sure sign of infection with tick-borne Lyme borrelia is a occurring Wanderröte. However, this occurs only in about one third of all patients, the researchers warn. If it is not possible to detect a bacterial infection at an early stage, it can trigger serious illnesses. These range from arthritis to very painful nerve root infections. Possible consequences of this are paralysis or even a memory loss, say the experts.

Separate study examines the entire pathogen spectrum in ticks
Ticks generally transmit many other pathogens. Not only Lyme borrelia and the so-called TBE virus are transmitted to humans, Rickettsia, Babesia, Anaplasms, Francisella tularensis, Bartonella and other pathogens are transmitted to us by the tick, explain the physicians. Another research project of the Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology at the Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology of the MedUni Vienna is currently investigating the entire spectrum of pathogens in ticks, say the scientists. The researchers accompany affected patients in their diagnosis and subsequent therapy. The study director Mateusz Markowicz invites people with tick bites to participate in the study and to come with their ticks in the outpatient clinic of the institute.

Researchers create an overarching network of around 80 research groups
In total, five research clusters of MedUni Vienna are involved in the investigations. These research clusters include medical imaging, cancer research / oncology, cardiovascular medicine, medical neuroscience and immunology. Research on the topics of ticks and Lyme disease falls into the cluster for immunology, the scientists explain. The Medical University of Vienna is working very hard to solve the eminent questions in immunology and is known worldwide for its cutting-edge research. The scientists tried to bundle and better promote the internal research cooperation in this area. For this reason, the MedUni Vienna Research Cluster Immunology (Immunology Research Cluster - IRC) was created, which is a cross-functional network of around 80 research groups. Their priorities include allergy, inflammation and infection. Through their combined research, the physicians hope to be able to develop new prophylactic and therapeutic approaches as well as diagnostic concepts for the treatment of immunological and other inflammatory diseases. (As)