Lyme disease: Part 5 | Additional treatment for chronic lyme nephritis | VETgirl Veterinary CE Podcasts

In this VetGirl podcast, we review initial treatment of chronic Lyme nephritis, focusing specifically on antihypertensive therapy, ACEi therapy, nutritional support, and possible immunosuppressive therapy. For chronic Lyme disease, appropriate monitoring for proteinuria or microalbuminuria should be performed q. 3-6 months. In patients that have continued proteinuria (after 4-6 weeks of antibiotic therapy), a renal biopsy should be considered (to rule out an immune-mediated glomerulonephritis), along with a low-protein diet, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) therapy, and an additional course of antibiotic therapy. If evidence of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis is seen, the use of immunosuppressive therapy is warranted (e.g., azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate, etc.).