Episode 3: Stopping Lyme at the Source: The Science Transforming Tick-Borne Disease Prevention

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Pediatrics Now Podcast 2026-27 Ep. 3: Stopping Lyme at the Source: The Science Transforming Tick-Borne Disease Prevention

FACULTY: Janakiram Seshu, BVSc, PhD, is a Professor of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at The University of Texas at San Antonio.

OVERVIEW:

What if we could stop Lyme disease before an infected tick ever reaches a child or family?

For nearly 30 years, Dr. Janakiram Seshu has pursued a bold vision: instead of relying solely on people to avoid infected ticks, could scientists interrupt Lyme disease in nature—before the bacteria ever have the chance to reach us?

Now, that vision is showing extremely promising results.

In this episode of Pediatrics Now, host and executive producer Holly Wayment, MSJ, talks with Dr. Seshu, a UT San Antonio researcher whose team has developed an oral vaccination strategy designed to target Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, in the wildlife that serves as its natural reservoir.

Using specially designed bait pellets, the approach aims to prevent ticks from acquiring the Lyme disease bacterium when they feed on wildlife - breaking the chain of transmission before those ticks can pass the infection to people or pets.

Dr. Seshu shares the science behind the breakthrough, the results his team is seeing, and how a vision decades in the making could ultimately reshape the prevention of Lyme disease. He says they’re already working on the potential beyond Lyme, offering a new way to target other tick-borne pathogens.

He also explains the work that remains before technology could move from successful research to something we use in lawns, fields and forests soon.

It’s a remarkable story of persistence, prevention and a fundamentally different way of preventing tick-borne disease: stop the pathogen at its source before the bite ever happens.

OVERALL LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Increased awareness and education for pediatric providers

DISCLOSURE TO LEARNERS:

Speaker: Janakiram Seshu, BVSc, PhD, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

The Pediatrics Now Podcast Planning Committee members: Steven Seidner, MD, and Holly Wayment have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

The University of Texas at San Antonio and Steven Seidner, MD course director and content reviewer for the activity, have reviewed all financial disclosure information for all speakers, facilitators, and planning committee members; and determined and resolved all conflicts of interests.

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION STATEMENTS: The University of Texas at San Antonio is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The University of Texas at San Antonio designates this enduring material up to a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE: Healthcare professionals will receive a certificate of attendance and are asked to consult with their licensing board for information on applicability and acceptance. Credit may be obtained upon successful completion of the activity’s evaluation. RELEASE DATE: 9/23/2026

EXPIRATION DATE: 8/31/2029

Link for CME Credit Coming Soon!

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