Authors: Anna Goc, Aleksandra Niedzwiecki, Matthias Rath

Presented at: ASM Microbe 2017; June 1–5, 2017 | New Orleans, LA

Published in: ASM Microbe 2017 Final Program; Poster # SUNDAY-320

Abstract: Lyme disease is a multi-systemic bacterial infection transmitted by ticks that has emerged as the most common vector-borne disease in the USA and Europe. Current conventional antibiotic therapies are associated with well-known side effects and are not fully effective toward the persistent form of the disease, which calls for the development of new therapeutics. Naturally derived substances that could work synergistically or additively to display higher efficacy compared to the individual components may serve as such an alternative for Lyme patients. Over 50 non-synthetic plant-derived active compounds and extracts were in vitro tested individually and in combinations against active and persistent forms of B. burgdorferi (prevalent in the USA) and B. garrini (prevalent in Europe). Several of these compounds, individually and in combinations, showed high efficacy in eliminating all forms (spirochetes, round bodies and biofilm) of studied Borrelia spp. Based on in vivo results and human study, the defined combination of these most active compounds may play an important role in combating Borrelia spp. serving as an adjunct or alternative treatment. The study reported here is a part of an ongoing preclinical development plan that could form the basis for clinical trials.