Trapped in Their Own Immune System: The Hidden Phase of Lyme
Lyme disease is no longer just a microbial challenge—it is increasingly recognized as an immunological puzzle. While conventional diagnostics focus on identifying pathogens like Borrelia, Bartonella, or Babesia, a growing body of evidence suggests that persistent symptoms in many patients may be driven not by ongoing infection, but by the lingering wreckage left within the immune system. This talk explores the “hidden phase” of Lyme, where chronic immune dysregulation—including cytokine storms, immune exhaustion, and autoimmune-like manifestations—takes center stage.
Through original data from multiplex ELISA testing, we demonstrate how simultaneous measurement of IgM and IgG responses across multiple pathogens and disease stages reveals previously unrecognized patterns of immune activation. A particular focus is placed on “universal responders,” patients whose broad immune reactivity correlates with elevated immune fitness biomarkers, illuminating the clinical complexity of post-infectious immune dysfunction.

In fact, chronic tick-borne diseases may follow a progressive immunological trajectory that predisposes patients to autoimmunity. In the early chronic phase, persistent IgM responses are accompanied by elevated biomarker 1 and biomarker 2 and increased biomarker 3 expression, indicating B-cell hyperactivity and endothelial stress. As the disease advances to the intermediate phase, both IgM and IgG responses emerge, with high biomarker 2 levels and reduced biomarker 3 in dual responders—suggesting a potentially moderated immune response. In the late chronic phase, there is a shift toward systemic inflammation and polyclonal IgG activation, with nearly double the biomarker 1 levels seen in universal responders, hinting at early autoimmune predisposition. These patterns suggest that monitoring immune markers over time could help predict and potentially prevent autoimmune progression.

This presentation advocates for a paradigm shift in diagnostics: from a microbe-centric view to an immune-centric strategy that reflects the polymicrobial and immuno-dysregulated nature of chronic tick-borne disease. By combining clinical case data, peer-reviewed research, and real-world testing applications—such as mobile diagnostics for conflict zones—we challenge clinicians to rethink the role of persistent immune responses and adopt tools that reveal not just what’s infecting the patient, but what’s still affecting them.