Intravenous Antibiotic Therapy for Lyme Disease - CAM 50108

Description:
Lyme disease is a multisystem inflammatory disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by the bite of an infected Ixodes scapularis (northeastern U.S.) or Ixodes pacificus(Pacific coast, most common in Northern California) tick. The disease is characterized by stages, beginning with localized infection of the skin (erythema migrans), which may be followed by dissemination to many sites. Diagnostic testing for Lyme disease is challenging, and there is the potential for overdiagnosis and overtreatment.

Confirmed Lyme Disease
For individuals with confirmed Lyme disease who receive prolonged or repeated courses of antibiotic therapy, the evidence includes randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Relevant outcomes are symptoms, change in disease status, morbid events, and health status measures. Oral antibiotics usually are adequate for treatment of Lyme disease, though, in some persistent cases, a 2- to 4-week course of intravenous antibiotics may be appropriate. Evidence from RCT s has not shown a benefit in prolonged (> 4 weeks) or repeat courses of oral or intravenous antibiotics. The evidence is sufficient to determine that the technology is unlikely to improve the net health outcome.

Additional Information
It is well established that the optimum method of testing for Lyme disease depends on the stage of the disease. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other sources have supported policy statements related to a tiered diagnostic testing strategy. Diagnostic testing may not be necessary when a diagnosis can be made clinically in patients with a recent tick bite or exposure and the presence of the characteristic rash of erythema migrans. When laboratory testing is indicated, 2-tiered serologic testing is recommended. The polymerase chain reaction may be clinically useful as a second approach in patients with a short duration of neurologic symptoms (< 14 days).

Objective
The objective of this evidence review is to evaluate whether the use of a specialized laboratory evaluation of individuals with suspected Lyme disease, and whether the use of repeated or prolonged courses of antibiotic therapy in individuals diagnosed with Lyme disease, improves the net health outcome.

Background   
LYME DISEASE
Lyme disease is a multisystem inflammatory disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by the bite of an infected Ixodes scapularis (northeastern region) or Ixodes pacificus (Pacific coast, most often in Northern California) tick. The disease is characterized by stages, beginning with localized infection of the skin (erythema migrans), followed by acute dissemination, and then late dissemination to many sites. Manifestations of the early disseminated disease may include lymphocytic meningitis, facial palsy, painful radiculoneuritis, atrioventricular (AV) block, or migratory musculoskeletal pain. Months to years later, the disease may be manifested by intermittent oligoarthritis, particularly involving the knee joint; chronic encephalopathy; spinal pain; or distal paresthesias. While most manifestations of Lyme disease can be adequately treated with oral antibiotics, intravenous (IV) antibiotics are indicated in some patients with disseminated Lyme disease. The following paragraphs describe the various manifestations of Lyme disease, therapies, and the various laboratory tests used to support the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Manifestations
Erythema migrans
Erythema migrans appears at the site of the tick bite and manifests generally between 7 to 14 days after the bite. The lesions typically expand slowly over the course of days or weeks, often with central clearing. If multiple lesions are present, it is considered a sign of early disseminated disease.

Neuroborreliosis
Lymphocytic meningitis, characterized by head and neck pain, may occur during the acute disseminated stage of the disease. In patients with meningitis, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) will typically show a lymphocytic pleocytosis (lymphocyte count greater than normal) with increased levels of protein and normal glucose levels. Intrathecal production of antibodies directed at spirochetal antigens is also typically present. Other manifestations of early disseminated disease can include cranial neuritis (including unilateral or bilateral facial palsy) and peripheral nervous system manifestations. Cranial neuritis, most frequently Bell palsy, may present early in the course of disseminated Lyme disease, occasionally before the development of antibodies. Peripheral nervous system manifestations of Lyme disease include paresthesias or radicular pain with only minimal sensory signs. Patients typically exhibit electromyographic or nerve conduction velocity abnormalities.

Neurological manifestations of late-stage dissemination can include mononeuropathy multiplex, encephalomyelitis, and subtle encephalopathy. A subacute encephalopathy is characterized by subtle disturbances in memory, mood, sleep, or cognition accompanied by fatigue. The symptoms are nonspecific and overlap with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Much rarer, but of greater concern, is the development of encephalomyelitis, characterized by spastic paraparesis, ataxias, cognitive impairment, bladder dysfunction, and cranial neuropathy.

Lyme Carditis
Lyme carditis may appear during the early disseminated stage of the disease; symptoms include atrioventricular (AV) block, tachyarrhythmias, and myopericarditis. The most common abnormality is fluctuating degrees of AV block.

Lyme Arthritis
Lyme arthritis is a late manifestation of infection and is characterized by an elevated immunoglobulin G (IgG) response to B. burgdorferi and intermittent attacks of oligoarticular arthritis, primarily in the large joints such as the kneeHowever, both large and small joints may be affected.

Treatment of Lyme Disease
Recommended treatment regimens are based on the stage and manifestations of Lyme disease.6 Most patients can be treated with oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime. Specific durations of therapy are dependent on the type of manifestations present. Treatment with IV antibiotics may be indicated in patients with central nervous system or peripheral neurologic involvement and in a small subset of patients with heart block or documented Lyme arthritis who have not responded to oral antibiotics. Typical IV therapy consists of a 2- to 4-week course of ceftriaxone. No data have suggested that prolonged or repeated courses of IV antibiotics are effective. Lack of effect should suggest an incorrect diagnosis or slow resolution of symptoms, which is commonly seen in Lyme disease. Also, some symptoms may persist after treatment, such as Lyme arthritis; this phenomenon may be related to various self-sustaining inflammatory mechanisms rather than persistent infection.

Regulatory Status 
The FDA has cleared multiple enzyme immunoassay, immunofluorescent assay, and Western Blot IgG and IgM tests through the 510(k) process. There are also commercially available laboratory-developed tests for serologic testing for Lyme disease. Clinical laboratories may develop and validate tests in-house and market them as a laboratory service; laboratory-developed tests must meet the general regulatory standards of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).

Policy:
Treatment of LD consists of oral antibiotics, except for the following indications:
I. A 2- to 4-week course of IV antibiotic therapy may be considered MEDICALLY NECESSARY in patients with Lyme disease-associated meningitis, cranial neuropathy, radiculoneuropathy or with other peripheral nervous system (PNS) manifestations, we recommend using intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, penicillin G, or oral doxycycline over other antimicrobials (strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence). The preferred antibiotic duration is 14–21 days.

Objective neurologic findings include:

  • Lymphocytic meningitis associated with CSF abnormalities.
  • Cranial neurophathy, other than uncomplicated cranial nerve palsy, with documented CSF abnormalities.
  • Encephalitis or encephalomyelitis associated with CSF abnormalities.
  • Radiculopathy.
  • Polyneuropathy.

Lyme disease may be documented either on the basis of serologic testing or by clinical findings of erythema migrans in early infection. Documentation of CSF abnormalities is required for suspected CNS infection, as indicated above.

Serologic documentation of infection requires:

  • Positive or indeterminate enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  • Positive immunoblot by CDC criteria.

Documented CSF abnormalities include ALL of the following:

  • Pleocytosis
  • Evidence of intrathecal production of B. burgdorferi antibodies in CSF
  • Increased protein levels

II. A 2- to 4-week course of IV antibiotics may be considered MEDICALLY NECESSARY in patients with Lyme carditis, as evidenced by positive serologic findings (defined above) and associated with a high degree of atrioventricular block or a PR interval of greater than 0.3 second. Documentation of Lyme carditis may include PCR-based direct detection of B. burgdorferi in the blood when results of serologic studies are equivocal.

III. A single 2- to 4-week course of IV antibiotic therapy may be considered MEDICALLY NECESSARY in the small subset of patients with well-documented Lyme arthritis who have such severe arthritis that it requires the rapid response associated with IV antibiotics. Documentation of Lyme arthritis may include PCR-based direct detection of B. burgdorferi in the synovial tissue or fluid when results of serologic studies are equivocal.

IV. intravenous antibiotic therapy is considered NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY in the following situations:

  • Patients with symptoms consistent with chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia, in the absence of objective clinical or laboratory evidence for Lyme disease
  • Patients with seronegative Lyme disease in the absence of CSF antibodies
  • Initial therapy in patients with Lyme arthritis without coexisting neurologic symptoms
  • Cranial nerve palsy (e.g., Bell’s palsy) without clinical evidence of meningitis
  • Antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis (unresponsive to 2 courses of oral antibiotics or to 1 course of oral and 1 course of intravenous antibiotic therapy)
  • Patients with vague systemic symptoms without supporting serologic or CSF studies
  • Patients with a positive ELISA test, unconfirmed by an immunoblot or Western blot test (see definition above)
  • Patients with an isolated positive serologic test in the setting of multiple negative serologic studies
  • Patients with chronic (≥ 6 months) subjective symptoms ("post-Lyme syndrome") after receiving recommended treatment regimens for documented Lyme disease

V. Repeat or prolonged courses (e.g., greater than 4 weeks) of IV antibiotic therapy are considered NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY.

NOTE: DIAGNOSTIC TESTING FOR LYME DISEASE IS ADDRESSED IN CAM 159.

Rationale 
This evidence review was created in January 1998 and has been updated regularly with searches of the PubMed database. The most recent literature update was performed through Sept. 1, 2021.

Suspected Lyme Disease
Evidence reviews assess whether a medical test is clinically useful. A useful test provides information to make a clinical management decision that improves the net health outcome. That is, the balance of benefits and harms is better when the test is used to manage the condition than when another test or no test is used to manage the condition.

The first step in assessing a medical test is to formulate the clinical context and purpose of the test. The test must be technically reliable, clinically valid, and clinically useful for that purpose. Evidence reviews assess the evidence on whether a test is clinically valid and clinically useful. Technical reliability is outside the scope of these reviews, and credible information on technical reliability is available from other sources.

Prolonged or Repeated Courses of Antibiotic Therapy
Clinical Context and Therapy Purpose
The purpose of prolonged or repeated courses of antibiotic therapy in patients with confirmed Lyme disease is to provide a treatment option that is an alternative to or an improvement on existing therapies.

The question addressed in this evidence review is: Does the use of prolonged or repeated courses of antibiotic therapy improve the net health outcome of those with confirmed Lyme disease?

The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this review.

Populations
The relevant population of interest is individuals with confirmed Lyme disease.

Interventions
The therapy being considered is prolonged or repeated courses of antibiotic therapy.

Comparators
The following therapies are currently being used to treat confirmed Lyme disease: a standard course of oral antibiotic therapy and a 2- to 4-week course of intravenous antibiotic therapy.

Outcomes
The general outcomes of interest are disease remission and symptom reduction.

Follow-up over the long-term may be necessary to monitor for residual symptoms (e.g., joint inflammation, encephalopathy).

Study Selection Criteria
Methodologically credible studies were selected using the following principles:

  • To assess efficacy outcomes, comparative controlled prospective trials were sought, with a preference for RCTs.
  • In the absence of such trials, comparative observational studies were sought, with a preference for prospective studies.
  • To assess long-term outcomes and adverse events, single-arm studies that capture longer periods of follow-up and/or larger populations were sought.
  • Studies with duplicative or overlapping populations were excluded.

Review of Evidence
Randomized Controlled Trials
The evidence does not support the use of recommended antibiotic therapy to treat patients with persistent B. burgdorferi infection and well-documented Lyme disease.16 See Tables 3 and 4, which summarize the characteristics and results of blinded, RCTs of extended antibiotic therapy versus placebo in such patients. The evidence has provided inconsistent results.

While morphologic variants of B. burgdorferi are thought to be related to persistent Lyme disease symptoms, a systematic review by Lantos et al. (2014) found no evidence to support this thinking.17 Reviewers found no pathogenic relation between morphologic variants of B. burgdorferi and persistent symptoms of Lyme disease. Additionally, no literature was identified that would support a role for treatment of B. burgdorferi morphologic variants.

Table 3. Summary of Randomized Controlled Trial Characteristics: Prolonged Antibiotic Therapy

Study Participants Interventions
    Active Comparator
Berende et al. (2016)18 280 patients with persistent Lyme disease symptoms given IV ceftriaxone for 2 wk Doxycycline or clarithromycin/
hydroxyl-chloroquine for 12 wk
Placebo
Fallon et al. (2008)19 37 patients with documented objective memory impairment IV ceftriaxone daily for 70 d IV placebo daily for 70 d
Cameron (2008)20 86 patients with symptoms of arthralgia, cardiac, or neurologic involvement with or without fatigue after previous successful antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease; study conducted in a primary care internal medicine practice (52 assigned, 31 evaluable) Oral amoxicillin 3 g daily for 3 mo (34 assigned, 17 evaluable) Oral placebo daily for 3 mo
Oksi et al. (2007)21 152 consecutive patients treated with a standard antibiotic regimen for 21 d Amoxicillin twice daily for 100 d starting immediately after a standard regimen Placebo twice daily for 100 d starting immediately after a standard regimen
Kaplan et al. (2003)22 129 patients (same trial as Klempner et al. [2001])23
Krupp et al. (2003)24 Patients with persistent severe fatigue ≥ 6 mo IV ceftriaxone daily for 28 d IV placebo
Klempner et al. (2001)23
  • 78 positive for IgG to B. burgdorferi; persistent symptoms interfered with patient functioning
  • 51 patients negative for IgG to B. burgdorferi; else, as above
  • IV ceftriaxone daily for 30 d
  • oral doxycycline for 60 d
IV and oral placebo

IgG: immunoglobulin G; IV: intravenous.

Table 4. Summary of Randomized Controlled Trial Results: Prolonged Antibiotic Therapy

Study Results
Berende et al. (2016)18
  • SF-36 PCS did not differ across 3 study groups
  • Adverse event rates similar across 3 study groups
  • 4 serious ceftriaxone-related adverse events
Fallon et al. (2008)19 Primary outcome (cognitive function across 6 domains) similarly improved in both groups at week 24 and did not differ significantly between groups; improvement between groups differed marginally at week 12 (p = .05). Exploratory subgroup analyses suggested significantly better improvement in ceftriaxone-treated patients with more severe baseline pain and physical functioning.
Cameron (2008)20
  • 44% of enrolled patients inevaluable at 6 mo; 17 had poorer baseline QOL and were lost due to treatment failure
  • SF-36 improvements for antibiotic vs. placebo arm were significant (46% vs. 18%, p = .007), but unclear whether analysis included all or only evaluable patients
  • SF-36 PCS improvement did not differ significantly between treatment arms for evaluable patients (8.5 vs. 7)
  • SF-36 MCS significantly improved in antibiotic arm for evaluable patients (14.4 vs. 6.2, p = .04)
Oksi et al. (2007)21 Both treatment and control arms showed similar and not significantly different decreases in patient- and investigator-reported VAS outcomes (VAS range, 0 – 100; 0 = no symptoms) at 12 mo. B. burgdorferi-specific antibodies declined similarly in both groups over 12 mo.
Kaplan et al. (2003)22 Both treatment and control arms showed similar and not significantly different decreases in SF-36 cognitive, pain, and role functioning scales, and improved mood as assessed with BDI and MMPI
Krupp et al. (2003)24 Ceftriaxone treatment arm showed no significant improvement in primary outcome (laboratory measure of persistent infection). Significant improvement in secondary outcome (disabling fatigue); no significant treatment effect on cognitive function; no difference in change in SF-36 scores. Patients in the ceftriaxone group were significantly more likely to correctly identify their treatment assignment.
Klempner et al. (2001)23 No significant difference in QOL outcomes for either patient group. Studies terminated after interim analyses indicated it was highly unlikely that a significant difference in treatment efficacy would be observed.

BDI: Beck Depression Inventory; MCS: Mental Component Summary; MMPI: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory; PCS: Physical Component Summary; QOL: quality of life; SF-36: 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey; VAS: visual analog scale.

Section Summary: Prolonged or Repeated Courses of Antibiotic Therapy
Oral antibiotics usually are adequate for treatment of Lyme disease, though in some persistent cases, a 2- to 4-week course of intravenous antibiotics may be appropriate. Evidence from RCTs has not shown a benefit to prolonged (> 4 weeks) or repeat courses of oral or intravenous antibiotics.

Summary of Evidence
For individuals who are suspected of having Lyme disease who receive genotyping or phenotyping of B. burgdorferi subspecies , the evidence is limited. Relevant outcomes are a change in disease status and morbid events. PCR-based testing for B. burgdorferi genospecies is feasible. However, no evidence was identified that knowledge of the B. burgdorferi genotype or phenotype could be used to improve patient management and outcomes. Additionally, a prospective cohort study reported that use of PCR-based testing in Lyme disease evaluation did not improve the diagnosis compared to standard 2-tiered testing. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcome.

For individuals who are suspected of having Lyme disease who receive CXCL13 chemokine concentration testing, the evidence includes a meta-analysis of 18 studies of European cohorts and a US-based retrospective study. Relevant outcomes are a change in disease status and morbid events. Study results have demonstrated a high specificity and strong correlation with B. burgdorferi-specific antibody responses in patients with acute Lyme neuroborreliosis. However, there is wide variability in studies in defining a threshold for a significantly elevated CXCL13 value, which makes clinical performance characteristics unclear. Additional research is needed to determine the diagnostic utility of CXCL13 levels. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcome.

For individuals who are suspected of having Lyme disease who receive stand-alone C6 peptide assay testing, the evidence includes cohort studies. Relevant outcomes are a change in disease status and morbid events. Limited data have shown specificity is slightly lower with stand-alone C6 peptide testing compared to 2-tiered approaches. Additional research is needed to determine the diagnostic utility of stand-alone C6 testing. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in an improvement in the net health outcome.

For individuals with confirmed Lyme disease who receive prolonged or repeated courses of antibiotic therapy, the evidence includes RCTs. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, change in disease status, morbid events, and health status measures. Oral antibiotics usually are adequate for treatment of Lyme disease, though, in some persistent cases, a 2- to 4-week course of intravenous antibiotics may be appropriate. Evidence from RCTs has not shown a benefit in prolonged (> 4 weeks) or repeat courses of oral or intravenous antibiotics. The evidence is sufficient to determine that the technology is unlikely to improve the net health outcome.

The purpose of the following information is to provide reference material. Inclusion does not imply endorsement or alignment with the evidence review conclusions.

Practice Guidelines and Position Statements
Guidelines or position statements will be considered for inclusion in Supplemental Information if they were issued by, or jointly by, a U.S. professional society, an international society with U.S. representation, or National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Priority will be given to guidelines that are informed by a systematic review, include strength of evidence ratings, and include a description of management of conflict of interest.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its recommendations for the serological diagnosis of Lyme disease.5 In addition to the standard 2-tiered testing process (sensitive enzyme immunoassay [EIA] or immunofluorescence assay, followed by a western immunoblot assay for specimens yielding positive or equivocal results), a modified 2-test methodology can be used, which uses a second EIA in place of the western immunoblot assay. Specifically, the CDC noted that "[w]hen cleared by FDA [Food and Drug Administration] for this purpose, serologic assays that utilize EIA rather than western immunoblot assay in a two-test format are acceptable alternatives for the laboratory diagnosis of Lyme disease."

Regarding treatment of Lyme disease, appropriate, oral antibiotics in the early stages of Lyme disease typically lead to rapid and complete recovery.6 In those with disseminated, non-cutaneous manifestations of Lyme disease, longer courses of antibiotics or intravenous treatment with antibiotics such as ceftriaxone may be required.

Infectious Diseases Society of America et al.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America, American Academy of Neurology, and American College of Rheumatology published guidelines on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme disease in 2020.3 Table 5 lists their recommendations regarding diagnosis and treatment for Lyme disease and its various manifestations. Overall, antibody tests are considered first-line for diagnosis due to their performance characteristics and availability of accessible, clinically validated assays. Serum antibody tests are recommended to be used in a standard 2-tiered testing protocol, in which an EIA or indirect fluorescent antibody test is followed by immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG immunoblots. A modified 2-tiered testing protocol, in which 2 different EIAs are performed sequentially or concurrently without the use of immunoblots can also be used. The overall predictive value of these tests are increased when correlated with specific signs and symptoms, patient history, and risk factors. Antibody testing is limited by false negatives, especially in patients who present with cutaneous symptoms only within 2 weeks after the development of the skin lesion. The guidance notes that nonserological methods have been developed, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, but the clinically validity of these approaches is not clear, in part due to the lack of a FDA-cleared test for Lyme disease diagnosis. Additionally, the guidance states that "[m]easurement of CXCL13 has not been sufficiently studied or standardized to recommend at present."

Table 5. Selected Recommendations for Lyme Diagnosis and Treatment

Recommendation Strength of Recommendation Level of Evidence
Erythema migrans    
"In patients with potential tick exposure in a Lyme disease endemic area who have 1 or more skin lesions compatible with erythema migrans, we recommend clinical diagnosis rather than laboratory testing." strong moderate quality
"In patients with 1 or more skin lesions suggestive of, but atypical for erythema migrans, we suggest antibody testing performed on an acute-phase serum sample (followed by a convalescent-phase serum sample if the initial result is negative) rather than currently available direct detection methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or culture performed on blood or skin samples." weak low quality
"For patients with erythema migrans, we recommend using oral antibiotic therapy with doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime axetil." strong moderate quality
"We recommend that patients with erythema migrans be treated with either a 10-day course of doxycycline or a 14-day course of amoxicillin or cefuroxime axetil rather than longer treatment courses." strong moderate quality
Lyme neuroborreliosis    
"When assessing patients for possible Lyme neuroborreliosis involving either the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or central nervous system (CNS), we recommend serum antibody testing rather than PCR or culture of either cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum." strong moderate quality
"In patients with Lyme disease-associated meningitis, cranial neuropathy, radiculoneuropathy or with other PNS manifestations, we recommend using intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, penicillin G, or oral doxycycline over other antimicrobials." strong moderate quality
"In patients with Lyme disease-associated parenchymal involvement of the brain or spinal cord, we recommend using IV over oral antibiotics." strong moderate quality
Lyme carditis    
"In outpatients with Lyme carditis, we suggest oral antibiotics over IV antibiotics." weak very low quality
"In the hospitalized patient with Lyme carditis, we suggest initially using IV ceftriaxone over oral antibiotics until there is evidence of clinical improvement, then switching to oral antibiotics to complete treatment." weak very low quality
"For the treatment of Lyme carditis, we suggest 14 – 21 days of total antibiotic therapy over longer durations of treatment." weak very low quality
Lyme arthritis    
"When assessing possible Lyme arthritis, we recommend serum antibody testing over PCR or culture of blood or synovial fluid/tissue." strong moderate quality
"In seropositive patients for whom the diagnosis of Lyme arthritis is being considered but treatment decisions require more definitive information, we recommend PCR applied to synovial fluid or tissue rather than Borrelia culture of those samples." strong moderate quality
"For patients with Lyme arthritis, we recommend using oral antibiotic therapy for 28 days." strong moderate quality
"In patients with Lyme arthritis with partial response (mild residual joint swelling) after a first course of oral antibiotic, we make no recommendation for a second course of antibiotic versus observation." no recommendation knowledge gap
"In patients with Lyme arthritis with no or minimal response (moderate to severe joint swelling with minimal reduction of the joint effusion) to an initial course of oral antibiotic, we suggest a 2- to 4-week course of IV ceftriaxone over a second course of oral antibiotics." weak low quality
"In patients who have failed one course of oral antibiotics and one course of IV antibiotics, we suggest a referral to a rheumatologist or other trained specialist for consideration of the use of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic agents, intraarticular steroids, or arthroscopic synovectomy. Comment: Antibiotic therapy for longer than 8 weeks is not expected to provide additional benefit to patients with persistent arthritis if that treatment has included 1 course of IV therapy." weak very low quality
Persistent symptoms following standard treatment of Lyme disease    
"For patients who have persistent or recurring nonspecific symptoms such as fatigue, pain, or cognitive impairment following recommended treatment for Lyme disease, but who lack objective evidence of reinfection or treatment failure, we recommend against additional antibiotic therapy. Comment: Evidence of persistent infection or treatment failure would include objective signs of disease activity, such as arthritis, meningitis, or neuropathy." strong moderate quality

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Guidance on Lyme disease from NICE was published in 2018.26 The NICE recommended that if “there is clinical suspicion of Lyme disease in people without erythema migrans,” an “enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for Lyme disease” should be offered. If the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test is “positive or equivocal,” an “immunoblot test” for Lyme disease should be performed. The NICE recommended oral antibiotics for the treatment of erythema migrans and/or nonfocal symptoms, and a 21-day course of IV antibiotics for Lyme disease affecting the central nervous system or for Lyme carditis when the patients are hemodynamically unstable.

International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society
In 2014, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society published guidelines to address 3 clinical issues: the usefulness of antibiotic prophylaxis of tick bites, the effectiveness of erythema migrans treatment, and antibiotic retreatment in patients with persistent symptoms.27 The Society noted that the evidence on treatment of tick bites, erythema migrans rashes, and persistent manifestations is limited. Regarding the treatment of patients with persistent symptoms, the Society concluded that the evidence for retreatment is adequate to support retreatment, but is not strong enough to mandate treatment. The Society determined that there was no compelling evidence supporting withholding antibiotics from symptomatic patients, especially since there is a lack of alternative treatment options. Due to the number of clinical variables and the heterogeneity of the patient population, clinical judgment and patients’ values and goals should be considered when planning a treatment strategy.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations
Not applicable

Ongoing and Unpublished Clinical Trials
Some currently ongoing or unpublished trials that might influence this review are listed in Table 6.

Table 6. Summary of Key Trials

NCT No. Trial Name Enrollment Completion Date
Ongoing      
NCT04422314a ImmuneSense Lyme Study 990 Dec 2021
Unpublished      
NCT03581279a Detection of Borrelia Bacteria in Early Stage Lyme Borreliosis Using the T2Lyme Panel 18 Oct 2019

NCT: national clinical trial.
Industry sponsored or partially sponsored.

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  20. Cameron D. Severity of Lyme disease with persistent symptoms. Insights from a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Minerva Med. Oct 2008; 99(5): 489-96. PMID 18971914
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  22. Kaplan RF, Trevino RP, Johnson GM, et al. Cognitive function in post-treatment Lyme disease: do additional antibiotics help?. Neurology. Jun 24 2003; 60(12): 1916-22. PMID 12821733
  23. Klempner MS, Hu LT, Evans J, et al. Two controlled trials of antibiotic treatment in patients with persistent symptoms and a history of Lyme disease. N Engl J Med. Jul 12 2001; 345(2): 85-92. PMID 11450676
  24. Krupp LB, Hyman LG, Grimson R, et al. Study and treatment of post Lyme disease (STOP-LD): a randomized double masked clinical trial. Neurology. Jun 24 2003; 60(12): 1923-30. PMID 12821734
  25. Association of Public Health Laboratories. Suggested Reporting Language, Interpretation and Guidance Regarding Lyme Disease Serologic Test Results. May 2021; https://www.aphl.org/aboutAPHL/publications/Documents/ID-2021-Lyme-Disease-Serologic-Testing-Reporting.pdf. Accessed September 2, 2021.
  26. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Lyme disease [NG95]. 2018; https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG95. Accessed September 2, 2021.
  27. Cameron DJ, Johnson LB, Maloney EL. Evidence assessments and guideline recommendations in Lyme disease: the clinical management of known tick bites, erythema migrans rashes and persistent disease. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. Sep 2014; 12(9): 1103-35. PMID 25077519

Coding Section

Codes Number Description
CPT  96374 Therapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostic injection (specify substance or drug); intravenous push, single or initial substance/drug 
ICD-9 Procedure  99.21  Injection of antibiotic 
ICD-9 Diagnosis  049.0 Lymphocytic meningitis
  088.81 Lyme disease
  323.81 Other causes of encephalitis
  323.9 Unspecified cause of encephalitis 
  350.9 Trigeminal nerve disorder, unspecified 
  351.0 Bell's palsy 
  351.9 Facial nerve disorder, unspecified 
  352.0 Disorders of olfactory (st) cranial nerve 
  352.2-352.6 Disorders of other cranial nerves, code range 
  352.9  Unspecified disorder of cranial nerves 
  356.9  Unspecified hereditary and idiopathic peripheral neuropathy (includes polyneuropathy) 
  377.49  Other disorders of optic nerve
  378.51-378.54  Paralytic strabismus code range 
  388.5 Disorders of acoustic nerve
  426.10  Atrioventricular block, unspecified 
  429.89  Other ill-defined heart diseases (includes Lyme carditis) 
HCPCS No code   
ICD-10-CM (effective 10/01/15)    Lyme disease code range 
ICD-10-PCS (effective 10/01/15)    ICD-10-PCS codes are only used for inpatient services. There is no specific ICD-10-PCS code for the initiation of this therapy and there are no ICD procedure codes for laboratory tests. 
  3E03329  Administration, peripheral vein, percutaneous, anti-infective 
Type of Service  Therapy   
Place of Service  Inpatient, Home   

Procedure and diagnosis codes on Medical Policy documents are included only as a general reference tool for each policy. They may not be all-inclusive.

This medical policy was developed through consideration of peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community, U.S. FDA approval status, nationally accepted standards of medical practice and accepted standards of medical practice in this community,  and other nonaffiliated technology evaluation centers, reference to federal regulations, other plan medical policies, and accredited national guidelines.

"Current Procedural Terminology © American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved" 

History From 2014 Forward     

06/25/2024 Annual review, updating medical necessity criteria for roman numeral I in policy section. 
07/03/2023 Annual review, no change to policy intent.

06/01/2022 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating background, description, rationale and references. 

06/01/2021 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating rationale and references. 

06/01/2020 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating rationale and references. 

06/03/2019 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating rationale and references. 

06/27/2018 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating background, rationale and references. 

06/23/2017 

Updating policy to remove diagnostic testing medical criteria as this is currently addressed in CAM 159. Updating title, policy and coding. 

12/01/2016 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating background, description, rationale and references. Adding "stand alone" to C6 peptide in policy section IX. 

12/16/2015 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating background, description, rationale and references. 

01/22/2015 

Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updated rationale and references. Added coding. 

01/15/2014

Annual review. Updated rationale, references and description.

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