Major Lyme Disease Summit Highlights New Research and Symptom Recognition

Renowned researchers present groundbreaking findings on September 18, 2025, at the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Summit in Syracuse, New York.

The 2025 Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Summit convened in Syracuse on September 18, drawing leading experts to address alarming increases in tick-borne infections across New York State. The event featured presentations by Dr. John Aucott from Johns Hopkins and Dr. Brian Fallon from Columbia University, both Clinical Trials Network investigators sharing their latest research on post-treatment Lyme disease symptoms.

The summit occurred against sobering statistics showing tick-borne disease cases have surged dramatically between 2008-2018: up 439% in Central New York, 970% in the Finger Lakes, and 817% in the Southern Tier. These data underscore the growing public health challenge that Lyme disease represents in the region.

Key Research Presentations Focus on Chronic Symptoms

Dr. Aucott delivered a presentation titled “Advances in brain imaging and brain-based treatments of post-treatment Lyme disease,” highlighting recent discoveries about neurological impacts of persistent symptoms. His research from Johns Hopkins has been instrumental in validating post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), which affects an estimated 10-20% of treated patients.

Dr. Fallon’s presentation, “From Bench to Bedside - the Lyme & Tick-borne Diseases Clinical Trials Network Research Studies,” outlined ongoing clinical trials investigating new treatment approaches. Both researchers emphasized that while most Lyme disease patients recover with appropriate antibiotic treatment, a significant subset experience prolonged symptoms including fatigue, body aches, and difficulty thinking.

Growing Recognition of Symptom Complexity

The summit highlighted evolving understanding of Lyme disease symptoms beyond the classic “bull’s-eye” rash. Dr. Jack Lambert, an infectious diseases expert, emphasized that the bacterium “infiltrates every tissue in the body” and can affect the brain, joints, muscles, nervous system, bladder, and digestive tract.

Recent research has revealed that only 70% of patients develop the characteristic erythema migrans rash, and among those who do, only about 20% exhibit the classic bull’s-eye appearance. This recognition has prompted calls for improved diagnostic approaches, particularly for underserved populations who may present with atypical rash patterns.

Vaccine Development Shows Promise

The summit occurred alongside encouraging news about vaccine development. On September 3, 2025, Valneva SE announced positive Phase 2 results for their Lyme disease vaccine candidate VLA15, showing strong immune responses across all age groups with no safety concerns. The vaccine, developed in partnership with Pfizer, targets the six most prevalent bacterial strains causing Lyme disease in North America and Europe.

Phase 3 clinical trials for VLA15 are nearing completion, with first data readouts expected by the end of 2025. If successful, this would represent the first approved human Lyme disease vaccine, addressing a critical prevention gap for the estimated 476,000 Americans diagnosed annually.

Celebrity Health Disclosure Raises Awareness

The summit’s timing coincided with renewed attention to chronic Lyme disease symptoms following model Bella Hadid’s hospitalization disclosure on September 17, 2025. Hadid shared images from her hospital stay, with her mother Yolanda Hadid describing the “invisible disability of chronic neurological Lyme disease”. Both mother and daughter have been diagnosed with Lyme disease, highlighting the condition’s impact on daily functioning and quality of life.

Clinical Challenges Persist

Dr. Michal Tal from MIT presented research on “Unraveling the Immunopathology of Infection-Associated Chronic Illnesses,” addressing sex differences and predictive diagnostics. Her work explores why some patients develop persistent symptoms while others recover completely after standard treatment.

The summit also featured Dr. Kris Paolino discussing SUNY Upstate’s Lyme clinic status and future plans. Paolino is currently leading a study investigating novel dosing regimens for patients with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, seeking to enroll 44 participants with debilitating symptoms that interfere with daily life.

Public Health Response Intensifies

New York State Health Commissioner Jim McDonald delivered opening remarks emphasizing the state’s commitment to addressing the tick-borne disease crisis. The summit brought together healthcare providers, researchers, and advocacy groups to improve recognition, treatment, and prevention strategies across the region.

Jennifer White from the New York State Department of Health participated in a public health panel alongside representatives from the Onondaga County Health Department and SUNY’s Center for Vector-Borne Diseases. Their discussions focused on current surveillance efforts and emerging prevention strategies as tick populations continue expanding northward due to climate change.

The summit underscored the critical need for enhanced physician education, improved diagnostic tools, and continued research into the complex mechanisms underlying persistent Lyme disease symptoms. With cases continuing to rise across the Northeast and Midwest, events like this summit play a crucial role in advancing scientific understanding and clinical care for affected patients.