LYME DISEASE Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by a spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), and believed to be microaerophilic. Humans and animals can become infected with the bacteria through the bite of an infected deer tick. Once infected, symptoms are varied, but may include pain in muscles and joints, swollen glands, fevers, upset stomach, headache, forgetfulness and sensitivity to light and sound, to name a few. If not diagnosed in its early stages, within the first month or two, the infection may become more difficult to treat. Co-infections can also occur from the tick bite, making diagnosis and treatment more difficult still. The diagnosis of Lyme remains clinically based, as there are no definitive tests currently available to confirm or rule out the infection. RATIONALE: One subjective study has been completed. W.P. Fife, Ph.D., Professor of Hyperbaric Medicine (retired), and D.M. Freeman, M.D., Attending Physician, A.P. Beutel Health Center, performed the study at Texas A & M Hyperbaric Laboratory, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas. The study, Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Lyme Disease, was approved by the Texas A & M University Institutional Review Board. Charles Pavia, Ph.D., New York Medical College School of Medicine, performed a study on hyperbaric oxygen treatment in experimental Bb infection. Data from Dr. Pavia's in vitro and in vivo Findings of Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in Experimental Bb Infection suggest that hyperbaric oxygen may be considered as a clinically useful form of adjunct therapy in the treatment of Lyme disease. The effect of oxygen on the Bb organism was demonstrated by Austin(1). The study suggests that the Bb organism is sensitive to elevated levels of oxygen at elevated tissue partial pressure above 160 mmHg and this can be achieved by HBO2 therapy. The results of the study show improvement in approximately 85% of those treated through a decrease or elimination of symptoms. Although the study was subjective, it is interesting to see the results of the sixty-six patients and to compare the results of the self-evaluations completed before and after the HBO2 treatments. Other mechanisms of action of HBO2, not mentioned in the study performed at Texas A & M, may play a role such as angiogenesis, which may allow antibiotics to penetrate deeper into tissue. There is also evidence that shows certain antibiotics may be more readily incorporated into the bacterial cell wall in the presence of elevated oxygen tension. Free radicals formation during HBO2 treatment may also play a role in killing Bb. Further research would be helpful to know the number of treatments necessary, how many per day and to better understand the mechanism of action. (1) Austin, F. Maintenance of infective Borrelia burgdorferi SH-2-82 in 4% oxygen -5% carbon dioxide in vitro. Canadian J. Microbiol 1993; 39(12): 1103-10. Investigational Indications Lyme Disease | Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury Brown Recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) Spider Bite | Other Research Areas Chico Hyperbaric Center Telephone: Email: Chico Hyperbaric Center Web Site Developed & Hosted by Access Now 2000. Copyright © 1999-2001. All Rights Reserved. #