Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) affects patients who experience persistent symptoms such as fatigue, muscle pain, cognitive impairment, and neurological problems months or years after standard antibiotic therapy for Lyme disease. Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, is a growing problem in Georgia, where it is the most common tick-borne disease, endemic in all regions, with approximately 300 presumed cases registered annually in the country’s Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance System (EIDSS). Despite this, the situation with PTLDS in Georgia remains poorly understood, with no comprehensive data on its prevalence or clinical manifestations. This study provides a retrospective analysis of selected cases from selected infectious disease clinics, complementing studies conducted at a specific time, to characterize the symptom patterns and risk factors for PTLDS, such as delayed diagnosis, in Georgia. Using clinical data from Lyme-endemic regions, the study aims to identify common symptom patterns and elucidate underlying mechanisms, without evaluating treatment. The scientific novelty lies in addressing the documentation gap in Georgia, providing a comprehensive profile of PTLDS cases to raise awareness among clinicians and inform future prospective studies.

Project Objectives
To establish a fundamental understanding of post-Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) in Georgia in order to raise public health awareness, inform health policy, and develop an international knowledge base on PTLD.
Project Objectives
1. Identify and document cases of Lyme disease treated in four key healthcare facilities between 2021 and 2025, creating the first systematic database on PTLD in Georgia.
2. Analyze and interpret findings to describe socioeconomic outcomes, persistent symptoms, and impact on quality of life.
3. Share evidence and raise awareness by publishing at least one peer-reviewed article.
 

Project Partners

• National Center for Disease Control and Public Health
• Tbilisi Infectious Diseases Hospital
• Vakhtang Bochorishvili Clinic
• First University Clinic of Tbilisi State Medical University
• Batumi Infectious Diseases Hospital

• Patients: Improved recognition of persistent symptoms.
• Healthcare providers: Increased awareness of PTLDS and access to evidence that supports more informed diagnostic and management practices.
• Public health authorities: Reliable data to inform resource allocation, update national guidelines, and strengthen surveillance and follow-up systems.
• Scientific community: Contribution to the global evidence base on PTLDS, particularly from underrepresented regions.

Tangible Results 

A comprehensive dataset of patients with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) identified in Georgia in 2021–2025.
Analytical report summarizing the incidence, symptom distribution, and impact on quality of life of PTLDS in 4 large clinics for the treatment of Lyme disease in Tbilisi and Bagi (2021–2025).
One peer-reviewed publication in an international journal.
A policy brief with recommendations to strengthen the recognition, management, and follow-up of PTLDS in Georgia.