Amir Khadir, Lyme Disease and the Controversy of Prolonged Antibiotic Therapy

This controversial practice was first revealed by Isabelle Hachey, columnist for Press +, in a very critical publication against Amir Khadir, who defended himself on all the stands, Tuesday.

The infectiologist-microbiologist at the Pierre-Le Gardeur Hospital in Terrebonne admits that it is a controversial treatment of last resort for patients who have been living for years distress and suffering.

In these circumstances, Amir Khadir believes that the greatest danger would be to leave these patients to themselves. The problem is to leave patients without resources. Then they gather in Germany, the United States and ruin the whole family or threaten to commit suicide as it has already happened. That's what's dangerous.

Blacklegged ticks are active as soon as the snow melts and they can transmit Lyme disease. Photo: The Associated Press / James Gathany

The treatment he offers some patients, after a careful badessment of their case, is to take large doses of several antibiotics for several months. In some cases, patients treated in this way have not even been officially diagnosed with Lyme disease.

The dangers of antibiotic treatment, especially in the long term, are widely documented. Dr. Khadir knows them very well. These are risks that are taken, in a calculated way, that are badumed by both the patient and the entire teamhe explains.

These are cases that need to be carefully identified, with caution, and it is with very close follow-up, with the collaboration of several other stakeholders, that we begin this type of treatment.

Positive results

Although it is not evidence, Amir Khadir argues that treatment with antibiotics has significantly improved the quality of life of some patients.

Rémi Fortin and his family are an example. The wildlife protection officer who lives in the Beauport area of ​​Quebec City is convinced that he has contracted Lyme disease, which is transmitted by the bite of a tick, as part of his work in 2010 or 2011 .

The man in his forties, who had never had any health problems, says that his life has changed. I was not able to do anything. I wanted to die, I screamed, I had incredible articulation problems. You have a hard time opening your hands, unfolding your elbows.

Despite numerous medical examinations, Rémi Fortin has never been diagnosed with Lyme disease in Quebec.

The same goes for his wife and two children who have all suffered from important symptoms that doctors have never been able to explain. They are all convinced that they have Lyme disease.

Rémi Fortin and his family are undergoing prolonged antibiotic treatment based on Dr. Amir Khadir's recommendations. Photo: Radio-Canada / Pascal Poinlane

Amir Khadir has prescribed the four family members a high dose of antibiotics they have been taking for eight months continuously. Unable to walk a few months ago, Rémi Fortin can now easily go down the steps of his balcony.

Antibiotic, not antibiotic, I do not care! I want to heal. I especially want to heal my children. We did all the tests imaginable in Quebec. There is nobody who could do anything for ushe grieves. Since taking the antibiotics prescribed by Amir Khadir, he estimates that he has recovered 70% of his physical and mental fitness.

Where is the science?

Without commenting directly on the approach prescribed by Amir Khadir, Dr. Alex Carignan is very critical of the long-term use of antibiotics.

<q lang = "en" data-attributes = "{" lang ": {" value ":" fr "," label ":" French "}," value ": {" html ":" There is no scholarly society that recommends extended durations of antibiotics. I would say that generally we do not go beyond 28days "," text ":" There is no scholarly society that recommends extended durations of antibiotics. I would say that generally we do not go beyond 28 days "}}">There is no scholarly society that recommends extended durations of antibiotics. I would say that generally we do not go beyond 28 dayssummarizes the professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Sherbrooke.

Alex Carignan, Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke Photo: Radio-Canada

In the case of Lyme disease, Alex Carignan points out that several comparative studies have demonstrated that the future of patients is not better with extended durations [d’antibiotiques] and, in addition, they are at risk of significant side effects.

However, the infectious disease specialist points out that it would be important to do more research on Lyme disease to better understand its symptoms and to be able to develop more reliable diagnostic tools.

In the meantime, Amir Khadir does not intend to stop prescribing long-term antibiotics to try to improve the quality of life of patients who have tried everything to improve their lot.

His main wish is that the Ministry [de la Santé] can allocate appropriate budgets so that research can be done in due form.