January 24, 2001
CONTACT: Joan, Dir. of Communications, (914) 666-4665


Mt. Kisco, New York. - January 24, 2001 -- LymeProject announced today that it has initiated a clinical trial for the retreatment of Lyme disease on adults. The trial is being conducted on recurrent Lyme disease to provide information to help prove the effectiveness of antibiotic retreatment and for reassessing treatment guidelines. Retreatment with antibiotic therapy focuses on the hypothesis of persistent infection
"We estimate that 30 percent of patient presenting with chronic Lyme disease will suffer a recurrence of symptoms within one year of their initial treatment," said Dr. Daniel Cameron, principal investigator of LymeProject. "Retreatment is especially important in this patient population, as they generally have persistent debilitating symptoms with no other effective treatment choices," he said.

"Upon completion of these trials, which build on our previous clinical research, we believe we can provide compelling, firm, experimental evidence in support of the effectiveness of retreatment before the end of 2002, with recommendations changes to U.S. treatment guidelines to follow completion of the clinical trial," said Barrett.

Studies have shown that persistent infection can cause a recurrence of Lyme symptoms after initial treatment success. Such symptoms include fatigue, poor concentration, joint pain, dizziness, and irritability, sadness where patients have no other treatment alternatives. The LymeProject retreatment clinical trial is intended to provide the medical team with information to identify recurrent Lyme disease and retreat, potentially improving patient outcome and reducing the cost of care.

LymeProject treats and researches acute and chronic Lyme disease. The LymeProject coordinates the first primary care Surveillance database that continuously enrolls all Lyme disease patients including patients without supportive lab test, the Lyme patient least studied. Medical professionals can use the information from the Surveillance database and clinical trial to identify patients who would benefit from retreatment and take corrective action, potentially improving patient outcome and reducing the cost of care.

LymeProject is headquartered in Mt. Kisco, New York.