About This Project
Treating children and adults for Bartonellosis is a challenge, often met with failure. This study seeks to reveal all the places in the body where the bacteria hide and determine what antibiotic treatments are most effective at clearing them out of their hiding places.
This study will look at a hidden bacteria known as Bartonella, a vector-borne illness that many Americans may carry and can cause a vector-borne illness known as Bartonellosis.
We are seeking to raise at least $175,000 to conduct this research. As an organization we've funded $25,000 to start. Every dollar counts and will get us closer to our goal.
What are the goals of the project?
This study can be groundbreaking as it will:
1. Test antibiotics to identify those that are optimal at eradicating the bacteria, as current treatment often does not lead to a clinical cure.
2. Determine which infections are housed in the biofilms that accompany Bartonella that may also cause these terrible symptoms.
What is the context of this research?
This U.S.-focused study is multinational and dual-site, including premier academic institutions at Tulane University and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. These researchers are top Bartonella and biofilm experts.
GLA's team of PhDs and its world-renowned Scientific Advisory Board will coordinate and review the study design to increase the probability of success and seek to ensure publication in scientific journals.
Global Lyme Alliance is the leader in Lyme disease research, with 167 published peer-reviewed studies. This will be the first comprehensive study looking at Bartonella.
Meet The Research Team
Dr. Monica Embers,
Tulane University
Dr. Embers’ research program regarding Borrelia burgdorferi and Lyme disease is centered on three major foci: (1) evaluating antibiotic efficacy against Lyme disease; (2) identifying treatments that can eradicate B. burgdorferi infection; and (3) immunodiagnosis for B. burgdorferi infection and cure. Over the past few years Dr. Embers has also focused on another bacterial vector-borne illness, Bartonellosis, which is caused by several species of Bartonella. Bartonellosis is increasingly found as a co-infection in Lyme disease patients.
Annette Moter, M.D., Ph.D., Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Dr. Moter is Group Leader of the Biofilm Center at the Institute for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, and Immunology at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Dr. Moter’s main research interest is to develop novel tools for detection and therapy of biofilm-associated microbial infections. These tools have been used to study biofilms containing Bartonella species responsible for endocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation of the inner lining of your heart's chambers and valves. A particular emphasis is on discovering antimicrobial agents effective against biofilm microbes. Currently, her lab focuses on the spatial organization of the oral and gut microbiome and the interaction with the host. Further projects deal with understanding of infections due to fastidious or yet uncultured microorganisms.
None of the work GLA has accomplished would be possible without your support. From me and from the many families around the world who will benefit from GLA’s research advancements – Thank you for your generous support.Paul Ross Chairman, Global Lyme Alliance
The importance of this study cannot be overstated because of the severe neuroinflammation and neuropsychiatric disorders some patients suffer from. Without a better understanding of where Bartonella lives and hides, we have little hope of developing more effective treatment options.Timothy Sellati, P.h.D. Chief Scientific Officer, Global Lyme Alliance
