Archive for the ‘Babesia’ Category

Study Shows Cases of Conventionally Recognized Nonhuman feeders Parasitizing Humans

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/vbz.2018.2323

Human-Biting Ixodes Ticks and Pathogen Prevalence from California, Oregon, and Washington

Published Online:12 Sep 2018https://doi.org/10.1089/vbz.2018.2323

Abstract

From July 2006 through August 2017, a passive surveillance study of Ixodes ticks submitted from California, Oregon, and Washington was conducted by the TickReport program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In total, 549 human-biting Ixodes ticks were submitted comprising both endemic and nonendemic species. We found that 430 endemic ticks were from 3 Ixodes species: Ixodes pacificus, Ixodes spinipalpis, and Ixodes angustus, whereas Ixodes scapularis (n = 111) was the most common species among the 119 nonendemic ticks. The submission peak for nymphal I. pacificus and I. spinipalpis was June, while submission peak for adult I. pacificus and nymphal I. angustus was April and September, respectively.

Endemic ticks commonly attached to the lower extremities of their victims, and individuals younger than 9 years old were frequently bitten. The infection prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Borrelia miyamotoi, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in I. pacificus ticks was 1.31%, 1.05%, and 0.52%, respectively, and the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s. l. and A. phagocytophilum in I. spinipalpis ticks was 14.29% and 10.71%, respectively.

Furthermore, two species within the B. burgdorferi s. l. complex were detected in West Coast ticks: B. burgdorferi sensu stricto and Borrelia lanei. I. spinipalpis had the highest Borrelia prevalence among endemic ticks, and it was caused exclusively by B. lanei. Borrelia mayonii, Babesia microti, and Ehrlichia muris-like agent were not detected in these endemic ticks. In this study, we show that many nonendemic Ixodes ticks (119/549) are most likely acquired from travel to a different geographic region.

We report cases of conventionally recognized nonhuman feeders (I. spinipalpis and I. angustus) parasitizing humans.

The highest pathogen prevalence in I. spinipalpis may indicate a larger public health threat than previously thought, and the enzootic life cycle and pathogenicity of B. lanei warrant further study.

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**Comment**

OOPS!  “We report cases of conventionally recognized nonhuman feeders (I. spinipalpis and I. angustus) parasitizing humans.”

Now just how did that happen?

As we have feared all along, the barrel full of monkeys keeps rolling out of Pandora’s box.  There are far more players in the game than is being let on.  

Stay tuned.  It’s going to get uglier and uglier.

Category:

Anaplasmosis, Babesia, Borrelia Miyamotoi (Relapsing Fever Group), Lyme, research, Ticks, Transmission

Lyme Patients – Check Your Vision

https://www.elenafridmd.com/single-post/2018/09/25/CHECK-YOUR-VISION

CHECK YOUR VISION

September 26, 2018

Elena Frid MD

Cases included:

  1. Visual floaters caused by ophthalmic artery vasculitis.

  2. Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome (OMS) – dancing eyes, causing impaired reading skills and dizziness.

  3. Optic neuritis – inflammation of the optic nerve causing blurry vision and worsening visual acuity.

  4. Saccadic intrusions on smooth pursuit and conversion insufficiency – abnormal eye movements, causing difficulty tracking when reading. This is one of the most common visual disturbances I see in my practice and can be very disturbing for the patient. It can be detected during a thorough neurological exam in the office. However, I find that it is frequently missed in clinical practice.

  5. Uveitis – frequent eye infections that are a result of an impaired immune system caused by tick borne disease in the setting of Lyme disease and co-infections.

Your eyes are an extension of your brain. Its important to note and share changes (even if they are small) in your vision with your physician. Get proper testing and seek a specialist who is familiar and comfortable addressing and treating visual impairments.

In good health,

ELENA FRID, M.D. ABPN, ABCN

ADULT AND PEDIATRIC LYME EXPERT

BOARD CERTIFIED NEUROLOGIST & CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGIST

151 E 62nd, STE 1A New York, NY 10065   |   T: 212-288-8832

ELENAFRIDMD.COM   |   WWW.DRFRID.COM

Dr. Frid is a physician specializing in Lyme disease and sees patients with this condition – which is not universal among physicians. For more information about Lyme disease contact Dr. Frid follow Dr. Frid on Instagram @drelenafrid.

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For More:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/09/06/ocular-manifestations-of-bartonellosis/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/10/23/opthalmic-manifestations-of-bartonella-infection/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/08/17/case-of-optic-neuritis-secondary-to-lyme-disease/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2015/09/16/bizarre-symptoms-msids/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/07/30/tick-inside-eye/

Category:

Activism, Babesia, Bartonella, Eye Issues, Lyme

Galaxy Awarded Grant to Develop Bartonella Testing in Endocarditis Patients

https://www.galaxydx.com/uncategorized/galaxy-diagnostics-awarded-phase-i-sbir-grant/#/

Galaxy Diagnostics Awarded Phase I SBIR Grant

September 20th, 2018

Grant will support development of advanced molecular diagnostics for confirmation of Bartonella spp. infection in endocarditis patients

RTP, N.C.- Galaxy Diagnostics, an infectious disease diagnostics company specializing in flea and tick-borne disease testing, is pleased to announce the award of Phase I grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) under the Small Business Innovation Research Program. This grant funding will support development of advanced molecular diagnostics for confirmation of Bartonella spp. infection in patients with endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart valves and chambers). This marks the second federal grant ever awarded for non-HIV research on Bartonella spp, including B henselae, the key agent causing cat scratch disease.

“We are thrilled to receive this funding from the NIH/NHLBI to support the development of better molecular diagnostics for Bartonella research and clinical use,” said Amanda Elam, President/CEO of Galaxy Diagnostics. “These bacteria were only recently discovered and have been recognized as one of the most important genuses of bacteria in emerging infectious disease today. Better diagnostic tests will allow clinicians and researchers to clarify the clinical importance of these pathogens for diseases affecting the joints, heart, eyes, and nervous system in people with healthy immune systems.” The current diagnostic challenge with this emerging pathogen is that recommended testing is not sensitive enough, often leading to false negatives. Jen Miller, Director of Research and Development at Galaxy Diagnostics, stated that, “Development of this rapid, highly sensitive and specific bartonellosis clinical diagnostic tool will result in an actionable, cost-effective assay for physicians.”  

Launched in 2009 to commercialize advanced test methods to support diagnosis of Bartonellosis in animals and people, Galaxy Diagnostics is a spin out from North Carolina State University. The company is currently focused on developing more sensitive diagnostics for a range of flea and tick borne diseases, including Bartonellosis, Lyme Borreliosis (LB), Babesiosis, Rickettsiosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis. Better diagnostic tests for flea- and tick-borne diseases will support more accurate diagnosis and better stewardship of antibiotics in the treatment of animals and people.

About Galaxy Diagnostics Inc.

As a social venture and a One Health company, Galaxy Diagnostics is passionate about protecting the animal-human bond through the surveillance, prevention and clinical management of flea- and tick-borne diseases shared by humans and animals. Not only do we offer the best molecular and serology test options available, but we work with researchers and clinicians to generate new knowledge about emerging infectious diseases such as bartonellosis, borreliosis and other vector-borne diseases. Based on our scientific expertise, we are able to provide counsel to clinicians and researchers dedicated to achieving the most accurate diagnosis possible for their patients. This central goal is reflected in our corporate values and everyday interaction with patients, clinicians and researchers.

Media Contact: James Rebenski

contact@galaxydx.com

 

Category:

Anaplasmosis, Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme, research, Rickettsia, Testing

Tick Infestations of Wildlife & Companion Animals in Ontario, Canada, With Detection of Human Pathogens in Ixodes Scapularis Ticks

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30206012/

Tick infestations of wildlife and companion animals in Ontario, Canada, with detection of human pathogens in Ixodes scapularis ticks.

Smith KA, et al. Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2018.

Abstract

The growing risk of transmission of tick-borne zoonotic pathogens to humans in Ontario, Canada, warrants investigations into regional tick distribution, tick burdens of local peridomestic animals, and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens. The objectives of this study were to investigate the geographic distribution and magnitude of tick infestations in opportunistically sampled mammalian wildlife and companion animals (i.e., dogs) in southern Ontario and to test these ticks for evidence of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens. Ticks collected from wildlife carcasses, live-trapped wildlife and companion animals (2015-2016), as well as wildlife diagnostic cases (2011-2013), were identified to species and life stage.

Ixodes scapularis ticks were tested by real-time PCR for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, Borrelia miyamotoi and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.). Amblyomma americanum ticks were tested for Ehrlichia chaffeensis. A total of 1687 ticks of six species were collected from 334 animals, including 224 raccoons (n = 1381 ticks) and 50 dogs (n = 67 ticks).

The most common tick species collected from parasitized raccoons were Ixodes texanus (n = 666 ticks) and Dermacentor variabilis (n = 600 ticks), which were removed from 58.5% (median: 2 ticks; range: 1-36) and 49.1% (median: 2 ticks; range: 1-64) of raccoons, respectively. Of I. scapularis tested, 9.3% (4/43) were positive for Bo. burgdorferi s.s. and 2.3% (1/43) for A. phagocytophilum. These results reveal that numerous tick species parasitize common, peridomestic wildlife and that at least two zoonotic, tick-borne pathogens circulate in southern Ontario. Host-tick vector-pathogen dynamics should continue to be monitored in the face of global climate change, landscape alterations and expanding human populations.

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**Comment**

This researcher obviously hasn’t read his own countryman’s work:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/08/13/study-shows-lyme-not-propelled-by-climate-change/   Another problem with the climate change models is they overlook the fact that deer ticks were established in northwestern Ontario, southern Manitoba and were already in central Canada prior to 1970. What they predict to happen in the future has already happened in Canada. Their oversight caused a skewed rate of tick expansion and a miscalculation of northward projected movement.

“For blacklegged ticks, climate change is an apocryphal issue.” -John Scott

apocryphal:
adj. Of questionable authorship or authenticity
adj. Erroneous; fictitious

Category:

Anaplasmosis, Babesia, Borrelia Miyamotoi (Relapsing Fever Group), Ehrlichiosis, Lyme, research, Ticks

Editors of Medical Journals Confirm: HPV Vaccines Cause More Harm Than Good….Science Author Facing Death Threats

https://www.naturalnews.com/2018-08-30-editors-of-medical-journals-confirm-hpv-vaccines-cause-more-harm-than-good.html

Editors of medical journals confirm: HPV vaccines cause more harm than good… science author facing death threats

Thursday, August 30, 2018 by:

Image: Editors of medical journals confirm: HPV vaccines cause more harm than good… science author facing death threats

(Natural News) In medicine, sometimes preventive measures and treatments have the opposite effect. Whether it’s antidepressants making people suicidal or chemotherapy spreading cancer rather than decimating it, it’s shocking just how bad some of these supposed solutions to health problems really are. Now, a new contender has emerged in the form of the HPV vaccine.

We’ve long known that this vaccine is bad news, but now a study has shown that it can actually raise a woman’s risk of getting cervical cancer instead of preventing it as intended. Unfortunately, many people will never know about this as the study was officially retracted shortly after it was printed by the journal’s editors due to the author’s use of a pseudonym to protect himself from retaliation by those with vested interests in vaccines.

The article was published in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, and it noted that there was a significant rise in invasive cervical cancer incidence in 2014 and 2015 among women between the ages of 20 and 49 years old – the age range during which women often get the HPV vaccine – in Sweden.

Not only did the study link the higher HPV vaccination rates to a rise in cervical cancer, but it also highlighted how an FDA analysis of the Gardasil vaccine showed a greater risk of “premalignant cell changes” from the vaccine among groups that were exposed to certain strains of HPV.

A week after this groundbreaking report was published, things got ugly. First, the journal’s editors removed mentions of the Karolinska Institutet from the article after the institution informed them that no one by the name of the study’s author, Lars Anderson, worked for them as claimed. This prompted the author to share his real name with the editors after being promised confidentiality.

The editors confirmed that the author had the right expertise, experience and qualifications to carry out the study, and they also confirmed that he was facing a “credible threat of harm” and needed to keep his name secret. They went on to confirm the article’s conclusion that the HPV vaccine was possibly associated with a high risk of cervical cancer and retained the article.

The story doesn’t end there, however. Certain parties – and it’s easy to imagine who they might be – questioned the decision to let the article stand, and the editors finally gave in and retracted it. Even as they did so, however, they maintained the article’s finding was correct and called for more research into the matter.

Just one more reason not to get the HPV vaccine

Causing the very type of cancer it is meant to prevent is reason enough to steer clear of this vaccine, and this side effect joins a long list of others, such as severe ulcers, chronic pain, infertility, paralysis, and premature menopause.

Some people who have gotten the vaccine have even lost their lives. Gardasil is already responsible for more than 200 deaths and over 57,000 adverse events recorded in the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System in the U.S., and a court ruling confirmed that it kills people.

It contains aluminum – a neurotoxin – as an adjuvant, along with polysorbate 80, which has been linked to multiple sclerosis, anaphylactic reactions, and encephalitis. Sadly, this type of information is not usually shared with patients who are considering the shot or the parents of the young girls this vaccine targets.

The fact that the latest study showing how dangerous it is was retracted not due to inaccuracy but on a mere technicality over the author’s name should give anyone who is considering this shot serious pause.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalHealth365.com

IJME.in

NaturalNews.com

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**Comment**

On top of all this bad news, a physician has found Gardasil to activate latent tick borne infections:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/12/02/scottish-doctor-on-lyme-msids-part-2/

So has another:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/04/24/gardasil-and-bartonella/  There is further damning evidence that Gardasil can produce life-threatening reactions in those who have been close to a cat, fleas, or ticks, since many of these animals are infected with Bartonella, Babesia, or Lyme (borrelia). Also, since many MSIDS patients (multi systemic infectious disease syndrome) also struggle with viruses such as Mono or active EBV, a cytokine storm can result with mucus being over manufactured in lungs and airways and well as wide-spread inflammation.  Asymptomatic girls after receiving Gardasil activated dormant Bartonella which was confirmed by testing.

Category:

Activism, Babesia, Bartonella, Inflammation, Lyme, research, vaccines