Stem Cells for Lyme Disease: Can Regeneration Offer New Hope?

Lyme disease can result in clinical manifestations, such as joint pain, brain fog, chronic fatigue, etc. The conventional treatment for Lyme disease comprises antibiotics, such as amoxicillin or doxycycline. But what will happen when the bacteria become resistant to antibiotics? Are there any emerging treatment strategies for Lyme disease?

 Have you heard of stem cell therapy? Can stem cell therapy provide a new hope for Lyme disease? In this blog, we will discuss how stem cell therapy can help relieve the clinical symptoms of Lyme disease.  

What is stem cell therapy?

Stem cell therapy, also known as regenerative medicine offers a promising mode of treatment strategy for patients who have limited therapeutic options. Stem cells are types of cells that are able to regenerate themselves. These cells are important for tissue maintenance and repair. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into tissues. For example, stem cells can develop into cardiac muscle cells or brain cells. 

The stem cells that originate from the embryos (3-5 days old) are called embryonic stem cells. These cells are called pluripotent stem cells and have the ability to proliferate into more stem cells. 

Adult stem cells can be found in tissues, such as bone marrow. When compared to embryonic stem cells, these cells have limited capacity to differentiate into various cell types. In stem cell therapy, stem cells are grown in a laboratory that can be manipulated to differentiate into specific cell types. Stem cells can multiply and form neurons or blood cells. 

Stem cells will be implanted into an individual. For instance, if the person has cardiovascular disease, the cells can be injected into the cardiac muscle. These healthy transplanted cells can repair the heart muscle. In hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the stem cells can replace the cells damaged by a chronic condition or chemotherapy. 

Types of stem cells:

Stem cells can be classified into three types, based on the source. 

What are the indications of stem cell therapy?

Stem cell therapy can be used in the following conditions:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Spinal cord injury
• Ocular diseases
• Diabetes
• Regeneration of dental pulp and mandibular bony defects

Can stem cells for Lyme disease help treat chronic symptoms?

Stem cell therapy has emerged as one of the latest treatment strategies for Lyme disease. Chronic Lyme disease shares similar clinical symptoms with other autoimmune conditions. Stem cell therapy works by repairing or regenerating the damaged tissues. Antibiotics are considered the conventional treatment modality for Lyme disease. But prolonged use of these medicines can cause adverse effects. 

If left untreated, Lyme disease can result in neurological manifestations. Regenerative techniques, like stem cell therapy can offer hope for patients with severe symptoms. It can also promote healing of muscles and regeneration of cells. 

What are the benefits of stem cells for Lyme disease?

Stem cell therapy can provide immunomodulatory effects. It can also help in reversing the immunosuppressive effects. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium, “Borrelia burgdorferi”, that can have an impact on the adaptive immune system. The bacteria can suppress the production of immunoglobulins and destroy the lymphocytes. 

The stem cells can target the antibody deficiency and help the body to heal from infection or an injury. If there is a cut on your hands, the body will release chemical signals that promote the recruitment of stem cells. To treat Lyme disease, stem cells can be taken from the patient’s own body. Stem cells for Lyme disease can result in faster recovery for many individuals. 

Stem cell therapy can manage the oxidative stress, which aids in the healing of Lyme disease. 

Stem cell therapy for Lyme disease depends on three factors: 

• Age of the patient
• Health status of the patient
• Progression of the disease

If the condition has advanced, the treatment must be applied multiple times. The age and weight of the individual determine the number of cells to be administered. The treatment can be carried out using mesenchymal stem cells. 

How can stem cell therapy be administered?

Depending on the severity of the condition, the administration method can be selected. Intravenous infusion serves as the most common route, where the stem cells are introduced directly into the bloodstream. The cells can travel and reach the damaged tissues. Localized injection is another method where the stem cells are administered at the area of the tick bite. 

Another technique is spinal canal injection, where the stem cells are injected into spinal canal. This can be an invasive procedure. The transplanted cells begin to proliferate and form new blood cells. It is better to stay in the hospitals during this time period to stay secured from infection. Persistent monitoring of adverse effects must also be performed. 

What is the difference between stem cell therapy and traditional antibiotic treatment?

Antibiotic therapy is a conventional approach that kills the bacteria, which causes Lyme disease. These medicines are found to be effective when administered during the early stages of infection. In some cases, the patients still exhibit symptoms even after the treatment. This condition is known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. 

Stem cell therapy is a treatment procedure that utilizes autologous cells to regenerate tissues. This strategy benefits people with chronic symptoms, such as fatigue, joint pain, etc. Antibiotics are administered orally or intravenously within a short period. Stem cells are delivered through spinal canal injection or local administration.

 Mostly, antibiotics address the infection, whereas stem cell therapy focuses on tissue damage and immune system dysfunction. Both treatment modalities can be complementary in order to achieve a comprehensive method of treatment. 

Conclusion:

• Stem cell therapy can be considered as a treatment option for individuals who are experiencing chronic Lyme disease symptoms.
• It can play a key role in promoting tissue healing and restoring the balance of the immune system. 
• Stem cells for Lyme disease must be planned only under professional guidance. After analyzing the health status of the patient, the healthcare expert will initiate the treatment. 

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References:

1. Gonçalves M, Silva GJ, Pereira A, Costa L, Santos R, Ferreira P, et al. Stem Cell Therapy: From Idea to Clinical Practice. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Mar 10;23(5):2850. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35269990 [Cited 2025 Jul 23].
2. Mayo Clinic Staff. Stem cells: What they are and what they do. Mayo Clin. 2024 Mar 23. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117 [Cited 2025 Jul 23].
3. Stem Cells: Types, What They Are & What They Do. Cleveland Clinic. Published March 22, 2023. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/24892-stem-cells [Cited 2025 Jul 23].
4. Current state of stem cell‐based therapies: an overview. Stem Cell Investig. 2020 May 15. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7367472/ [Cited 2025 Jul 23].
5. Modified Stem Cell Treatment for Lyme Disease & CVID. Stem Cell Thailand. Published September 2024. Available from: https://stemcellthailand.org/therapies/lyme-disease-cvid/ [Cited 2025 Jul 23].