Research on the early detection of Borrelia infections

Innatoss Laboratories is developing a test that is able to show if someone is infected within 4 weeks after a tick bite. In order to achieve this, a method is used which looks at the reaction of your blood cells.

In this research, this cellular method is compared to the current diagnostics: the measuring of the antibodies. However, it might take a couple of weeks before these antibodies can be measured. In contrast, the blood cells react earlier, and therefore, can be used in a test in an early stadium.

Ready for the next step

In 2015 and 2016, a total of 600 people were tested, of which 500 people had a recent tick bite. For the next step, we are looking for people with the characteristic bullseye rash, but who haven’t started taking antibiotics yet. Blood is drawn from these volunteers before and after they started taken antibiotics. In this way, what happens to the antibodies and biomarkers can be viewed. Unfortunately, because of the medical ethical approval, people from outside the Netherlands cannot participate in this research.

European grant

The preliminary results from 2015 were already encouraging. Because of this, the European Union has made a grant from the Horizon2020 program available. With this, the further development of the cellular test can be partially financed. Also, it allows us to work together with bigger parties from Germany and Austria. More information about this project can be found on ID-Lyme.eu.