Lyme disease trial withdrawn before it even started
NCT ID NCT06785402
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study aimed to test whether giving the antibiotic ceftriaxone every 5 days for about 6 weeks could kill the bacteria causing persistent Lyme disease symptoms. It planned to enroll people aged 18-75 with Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome. However, the trial was withdrawn before any participants were enrolled.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- ceftriaxone
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward a treatment for persistent Lyme symptoms after standard antibiotics.
- What could go wrong
- The study was withdrawn before enrolling any participants, so no data is available. It is unclear if this approach is safe or effective.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Expected to start
-
May 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Finished
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May 2026
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 to 75 years at the time of consent * Ability and willingness to sign informed consent * Available for the study period * Must have met the definition of a prior well-defined or probable Lyme disease infection, AND meet the definition of PTLDS * Provide consent for release of medical history records and photographs from primary care physician, college or university, urgent care or emergency room visit * Have a level of fatigue that interferes with their ability to function in their job, schooling, or other social/personal activities (FSS score of 4 or higher) * Subjects will need to have been off of antibiotics (those standard antibiotics used to target Lyme disease to include doxycycline, amoxicillin, cefuroxime, azithromycin, ceftriaxone or penicillin) for at least 6 weeks prior to study enrollment and be willing to remain off of any outside antibiotics during the duration of the treatment component of the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Female: pregnant or lactating * Women who intend to become pregnant during the treatment study period (approximately 45 days) * Patients with a diagnosis of Lyme disease based on only a positive Lyme IgM immunoblot * A history of cephalosporin allergy or significant intolerance * Lyme related symptoms that have been present for greater than 10 years * Blood tests confirming infection with human immunodeficiency virus- 1 (HIV-1), hepatitis C, hepatitis B (assessed by HbsAg) virus. Note: Subjects who have well controlled HIV, who are on ART with a CD4 count of \>200 will be allowed to participate. * Diagnosis with Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia, hospitalization in the past year for a mental health disorder, or any other psychiatric condition to include any finding of increased suicide risk per the CSSRS scale (score 6 or greater), which in the opinion of the investigator prevents the subject from participating in the study * Known concurrent rheumatologic or similar disease thought to interfere with study participation or confound results at the discretion of the investigator. These may include but are not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, psoriasis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis, or obstructive sleep apnea * Hives, shortness of breath, swelling of the lips or throat, or hospitalization related to a previous treatment with a cephalosporin antibiotic, or severe allergic reaction to penicillins (e.g. anaphylaxis or severe rash with Stevens Johnson syndrome or similar) * Planned travel during the study period that would interfere with the ability to complete all study visits (this can be a temporary exclusion with plan to schedule enrollment during a window of time during which they could attend their study visits) * Significant screening physical examination abnormalities or chronic medical condition that in the opinion of the investigator may impact subject safety * Participation (active or follow-up phase) or planned participation in another vaccine, drug, or medical device in the 4 weeks prior to this trial or during the trial * Prior history of Clostridium difficile infection * Unable to comply with study requirements * Clinician discretion
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601, United States
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