Impact of Borreliella Burgdorferi Infection, Immunity, and Antibiotics on the Host's Microbiome in a Nonhuman Primate Model of Lyme Disease

The human gut houses trillions of microbes (“gut microbiome”) that are essential to health and immune system function. Changes in diet, infections, and, importantly, antibiotics result in profound shifts to the gut microbiome that can have long-term impacts on health. These disruptions in the community of microbes, referred to as dysbiosis, have been linked to various autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, as well as cardiovascular disease and depression. Yet to be investigated is the contribution of microbiome dysbiosis to Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), a poorly understood, complex, often disabling post-infection condition that follows standard antimicrobial therapy for Lyme disease. In this study we will for the first time, assess the potential role of dysbiosis elicited by Borreliella burgdorferi infection, alone and in association with antibiotic treatment, on the outcome of infection and the conditions for PTLDS in a non-human primate model. We will carry out an in-depth analysis of host responses to uncover how shifts in the gut microbiome influence inflammatory or other responses. These studies will provide novel insights into the interaction between Borreliella burgdorferi infection, antibiotics, and the gut microbiome that may lead to more effective ways to treat Lyme disease, prevent post- infection sequelae, and manage PTLDS.