Episode 557: The Stanford Scientist Rewriting the Future of Lyme Disease Treatment — Dr. Jayakumar Rajadas | Tick Boot Camp
Tick Boot Camp
In this groundbreaking episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we interview Dr. Jayakumar Rajadas, a Stanford Medicine researcher who has discovered multiple breakthrough therapeutic candidates for Lyme disease, Babesia, and Bartonella. His work includes the discovery of Disulfiram’s effectiveness against Lyme and Babesia, Azlocillin’s potent activity against Lyme and Bartonella, and advanced targeted drug-delivery systems designed to preserve the gut microbiome.
Dr. Jay's research has been featured in TIME Magazine (Azlocillin) and Forbes (Disulfiram), and connects deeply with the work of leading Lyme researchers, including Dr. Monica Embers (Tulane), Dr. Kim Lewis (Northeastern), Dr. Kenneth Liegner, and Dr. Brian Fallon (Columbia University).
This interview delivers hope, science, and unprecedented detail on what may become the next generation of Lyme disease treatments.
Key Topics Covered
1. How the Stanford Tick Initiative Sparked a New Era of Drug Discovery
In 2012, Stanford launched a major initiative in response to community demand for better Lyme treatments.
Dr. Rajadas was selected to lead drug development, focusing specifically on persistent/chronic Lyme disease, where few researchers were working.
2. Understanding Borrelia: Active vs. Stationary Forms & Why Chronic Lyme Persists
Dr. J explains the three key survival modes of Borrelia burgdorferi:
Active Phase
The bacteria are replicating and metabolically active.
Easier to kill with standard antibiotics.
Stationary Phase
Bacteria reach population limits and slow down growth.
Represents early persistence mechanisms.
Persister Forms
Triggered by stressors like antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline).
Bacteria fold into round bodies, spiral forms, or compact “cement-like” protective balls.
These forms:
Shut down metabolic pathways
Resist penetration
Survive antibiotic exposure
Why Doxycycline Can Fail
Doxycycline can induce persisters, causing Borrelia to form impenetrable protective shells rather than die.
This is why many patients initially feel better, then relapse.
3. Disulfiram (Antabuse): Lyme + Babesia Breakthrough Featured in Forbes
One of the biggest scientific shocks of the last decade:
Discovery
Through Stanford’s high-throughput screening of FDA-approved drugs, Disulfiram emerged as a top hit.
Clears Borrelia (including persistent forms)
Clears Babesia — a major advantage over standard antibiotics
Does NOT harm the gut microbiome
Is already FDA-approved and widely used for alcohol aversion therapy
Highly potent but requires careful dosing due to side effects in inflamed patients.
Why Some Patients Improve, and Others Suffer
Chronic Lyme patients already have heightened inflammation.
Disulfiram is a powerful molecule whose polymorphic forms behave differently in different people.
His lab developed:
Less toxic formulations
Buccal & sublingual delivery systems
Rectal delivery options
These may reduce neuropsychiatric side effects reported by some patients.
Clinical Connections
Dr. Kenneth Liegner
pioneered clinical use and published cases
Dr. Brian Fallon
conducted NIH-listed clinical trials.
Many clinicians now use Liegner’s protocols.
Real-world example: Matt shares the story of Brooke Stoddard (Generation Lyme), who regained his life after Disulfiram treatment under Dr. Liegner.
4. Azlocillin: The Antibiotic That TIME Magazine Called a Gamechanger
If Disulfiram is the Lyme and Babesia weapon, Azlocillin may be the frontline tool for Lyme and Bartonella.
Why Azlocillin Is Revolutionary
Eradicates both active and persister forms of Borrelia.
Destroys doxycycline-induced “cement ball” persisters by drilling into their vulnerable cell-wall synthesis pathways.
Proven effective against Bartonella when paired with azithromycin, based on research by
Dr. Monica Embers (Tulane)
.
The Cell-Wall Vulnerability Breakthrough
Persisters STILL must maintain minimal cell-wall synthesis to survive.
Azlocillin exploits this tiny vulnerability:
It penetrates the protective sphere
Breaks the “cement wall”
Forces the bacteria out of hibernation
Kills them rapidly
This discovery is one of the biggest scientific leaps in Lyme research in a decade.
The Delivery System That Protects the Gut Microbiome
Azlocillin is extremely hydrophilic, making absorption difficult.Dr. Jay fixed this by creating:
A magnesium-lipid nanoparticle formulation
Designed to release in the upper intestine
Avoiding the colon (where most microbiome lives)
This allows:
High bloodstream absorption
Minimal microbiome damage
Oral availability of a drug previously only available via IV
Why Azlocillin May Be Better Than Disulfiram
Hits Borrelia + Bartonella
Stronger anti-inflammatory effects
No polymorphism issues
Fewer side effects
Potent against persisters
A company is preparing to bring his oral formulation to clinical trials by next year.
5. Loratadine (Claritin): The First Clue from 2012
Before Disulfiram and Azlocillin, Dr. Jay’s lab identified Loratadine (Claritin) as a manganese transporter inhibitor of Borrelia.
Why it mattered:
Borrelia uniquely relies on manganese, not iron.
Blocking manganese uptake may weaken the bacteria.
The discovery went viral, with many patients reporting improvement even at OTC doses—though the binding affinity was weak.
This project introduced the concept of drug repurposing for Lyme to the scientific community.
6. Melittin (Bee Venom) — The Micro-Needle Patch Alternative
Bee venom therapy is widely used in the Lyme community, but risks stings and allergic reactions.
Dr. J is developing:
Melittin micro-needle patches
Delivering the active peptide without stinging
Using dissolvable, painless needles
A safe, controlled, pharmaceutical-grade delivery approach
This could modernize bee venom therapy and make it more accessible.
7. Mechanism of Brain Fog & Fatigue in Lyme: A Major Breakthrough
Dr. Jay’s lab published a neuroscience paper demonstrating:
Outer Surface Protein (Osp) Nanoparticles
Borrelia sheds lipid-coated outer membrane particles.
These form stable nano-vesicles that:
Enter the bloodstream
Cross into the brain
Cause mitochondrial dysfunction
Reduce ATP production
Result: Brain Fog, Fatigue, Cognitive Dysfunction
This explains why neurological Lyme can persist even after bacterial levels drop.
This work ties strongly to ongoing research at Columbia University under Dr. Brian Fallon.
8. Collaborations With World Leaders in Lyme Research
Dr. J’s research intersects with:
Dr. Kim Lewis (Northeastern University)
Reproduced and validated Disulfiram findings publicly.
Helped launch interest in persister-killing therapies.
Dr. Monica Embers (Tulane University)
Demonstrated Azlocillin + Azithromycin effectiveness against Bartonella.
One of the world’s foremost experts in persistent infection models.
Dr. Kenneth Liegner
Early clinical pioneer of Disulfiram therapy.
Published stunning recovery cases.
Dr. Brian A. Fallon (Columbia University)
Leading psychiatrist specializing in post-treatment Lyme.
Conducted planned Disulfiram clinical trials.
These collaborations form a powerful network accelerating treatment development.
9. New Anti-Inflammatory Discoveries: Galangin & More
Dr. Jay recently co-authored a 2025 paper on:
Galangin (Thai ginger rhizome extract)
Which may reverse cardiac inflammation and fibrosis
His team is also exploring other nutraceutical molecules for chronic inflammation relief in Lyme patients.
10. Dr. Jay’s Personal Story of Illness and Hope
He reveals for the first time:
He was diagnosed with Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma
Lost the ability to walk
Suffered unbearable pain
After cutting-edge therapies and research, he is now in full remission
His message to Lyme patients: “There is ALWAYS hope.”