Fighting Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases

Back in the 1980s, when Lyme disease cases were surging across the Northeast, NYMC quickly became a leader in understanding and addressing this mysterious illness. With tick populations exploding in areas like Westchester County, Long Island and Connecticut, the College launched a multifront approach: treating patients, conducting field research and performing cutting-edge lab studies.

A Pioneer in Lyme Disease Research

One of the early trailblazers was Dr. Gary P. Wormser, professor of medicine and head of the Division of Infectious Diseases. He diagnosed his first Lyme disease patient in 1981—long before most doctors even knew what to look for. What started as a handful of cases quickly grew into a flood of patients suffering from flu-like symptoms, often with the telltale bull’s-eye rash.

Dr. Wormser has spent decades refining Lyme disease treatment, championing the use of doxycycline for early-stage infections and ceftriaxone for advanced cases. His expertise has shaped national guidelines for treating Lyme disease, and in 2018, he helped identify the first human tick bite in the U.S. from the rare Haemaphysalis longicornis tick.

Beyond Lyme: Tackling Other Tick-Borne Diseases

NYMC’s impact in terms of public health and research of tick-transmitted pathogens goes beyond Lyme disease. The College has been instrumental in researching babesiosis, a lesser-known but serious tick-borne illness that mimics malaria but is endemic in the U.S. Unlike Lyme disease, babesiosis can be transmitted through blood transfusions, making it a growing concern for public health officials. NYMC is also at the forefront of investigating the impact of co-infection with multiple tick transmitted diseases at the same time from a single tick bite including babesiosis and Lyme disease.

In a groundbreaking study, Dr. Wormser and Dr. Dana G. Mordue, associate professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology, explored the use of tafenoquine, an FDA-approved malaria drug, as a potential treatment for babesiosis. Their research showed promising results, paving the way for clinical trials. “Advancing tafenoquine to treat babesiosis when other treatments have failed has been incredibly rewarding,” says Dr. Mordue.

Lyme Disease or Something Else?

NYMC researchers are also tackling a critical but often-overlooked issue: Lyme disease can sometimes mimic serious neurological conditions like ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Dr. Robert Ollar, a clinical assistant professor of neurology, is leading efforts to uncover how Lyme disease might contribute to these conditions, shedding light on its complex and often misunderstood effects.

Revolutionizing Lyme Disease Testing

For more than a decade, Dr. Paul M. Arnaboldi, assistant professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology, and Dr. Raymond Dattwyler, professor of pathology, microbiology and immunology, have been working to improve how Lyme disease is diagnosed. Their discoveries have already led to an FDA-approved diagnostic test and a new, highly sensitive T-cell activation test that could change the way Lyme disease is detected.

Now, they’re working with engineers at UCLA to develop a rapid point-of-care test—one that could diagnose Lyme disease in just 15 minutes using AI-enhanced technology. Published in Nature Communications and backed by the NIH, this breakthrough could make early detection faster and more accessible than ever before.

Spreading Awareness, One Tick at a Time

Beyond research, NYMC is committed to educating the public. From producing public service announcements on tick bite prevention to featuring faculty in national and international media, the College is making sure people know how to protect themselves.

Since early treatment of Lyme disease and other tick transmitted infections is critical to prevent potential long-term damage, it is important that people are aware of practical ways to avoid tick bites and to remove ticks promptly. Both transmission of Lyme and babesiosis pathogens require ticks to remain attached to a person for more than 24 hours, so prompt removal of ticks is important to prevent infection. It is also increasingly important that clinicians and the public are aware that a single tick bite can transmit multiple pathogens that cause different diseases and require different treatments.

Through groundbreaking discoveries, innovative treatments and tireless public outreach, NYMC continues to lead the fight against Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. And with every new advancement, they’re helping ensure a healthier future—one tick at a time.