Archive for the ‘research’ Category

Bbsl Infected Ticks in Canadian Songbirds

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30044388/

Far-Reaching Dispersal of Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato-Infected Blacklegged Ticks by Migratory Songbirds in Canada.

Scott JD, et al. Healthcare (Basel). 2018.

Abstract

Lyme disease has been documented in northern areas of Canada, but the source of the etiological bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) has been in doubt. We collected 87 ticks from 44 songbirds during 2017, and 24 (39%) of 62 nymphs of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, were positive for Bbsl. We provide the first report of Bbsl-infected, songbird-transported I. scapularis in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia; Newfoundland and Labrador; north-central Manitoba, and Alberta. Notably, we report the northernmost account of Bbsl-infected ticks parasitizing a bird in Canada. DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and DNA sequencing reveal that these Bbsl amplicons belong to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (Bbss), which is pathogenic to humans. Based on our findings, health-care providers should be aware that migratory songbirds widely disperse B. burgdorferi-infected I. scapularis in Canada’s North, and local residents do not have to visit an endemic area to contract Lyme disease.

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**Comment**

Second posting today of infected ticks being in places they supposedly shouldn’t be.  I think we need to truly accept the fact Lyme/MSIDS is everywhere.  Make sure you spread the word to medical practitioners, your family and friends – and frankly anyone who will listen.

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/06/07/where-ticks-are-and-what-they-carry-science-conversation-with-dr-cameron/  Infected ticks found in unlikely places including beaches.

Category:

Lyme, research, Testing, Ticks

Increasing Bbss in Tennessee Ticks

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30044211/

Increasing Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto-Infected Blacklegged Ticks in Tennessee Valley, Tennessee, USA.

Hickling GJ, et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2018.

Abstract

In 2017, we surveyed forests in the upper Tennessee Valley, Tennessee, USA. We found Ixodes scapularis ticks established in 23 of 26 counties, 4 of which had Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto-infected ticks. Public health officials should be vigilant for increasing Lyme disease incidence in this region.

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**Comment**

Another study showing infected ticks in places most don’t suspect and the importance of spreading the word.  I pray long gone are the days when a doc stares at a CDC map and announces it can’t be Lyme because it doesn’t exist in their state.

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/06/07/where-ticks-are-and-what-they-carry-science-conversation-with-dr-cameron/  Infected ticks are virtually everywhere. 

 

Category:

Lyme, research, Testing, Ticks

Acute Abdominal Pain Caused by Neuroborreliosis

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30040309/

Acute abdominal pain caused by neuroborreliosis

Dobbe ASM, et al. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2018.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Lyme disease is a multisystem disease which can present itself in several ways. When the nervous system is involved, it is called Lyme neuroborreliosis. Both central and peripheral nervous systems can be affected.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 39-year-old man visited the emergency department multiple times with severe abdominal-pain attacks with motoric unrest. Extensive diagnostic work-up was done, which was initially inconclusive. Lyme neuroborreliosis was suspected when he developed a facial-nerve palsy during admission; the abdominal pain was thought to be caused by thoracic radiculoneuropathy. Serologic testing for antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi was positive, confirming the diagnosis. The patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone.

CONCLUSION: This case shows abdominal pain being caused by radiculoneuropathy at thoracic level, an uncommon presentation of Lyme neuroborreliosis. Often, this diagnosis is only made when neurological paralysis occurs. Information regarding skin lesions or a recent tick bite can lead to earlier recognition of the diagnosis.

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**Comment**

Key statement:  “Often this diagnosis is only made when neurological paralysis occurs.”

How often does that happen?

So all the other sorry suckers who don’t get neurological paralysis won’t be diagnosed.  See why they call this “uncommon” or “rare?”

Until clinicians learn and study the widely variable symptoms and pretty much keep Lyme/MSIDS in the back of their minds at all times, it’s Russian Roulette out here regarding diagnosis.  You may win or you may get the bullet.

I wish I could even count the Lyme/MSIDS patients with “severe abdominal-pain” and “unrest!”  Let’s just say there’s a lot of them!

Radiculonerophathy is when Lyme (borrelia) infects a spinal nerve root and in this patient’s case it was in the thoracic region which gave him abdominal pain.  It all depends upon what nerves are affected.  It could be anywhere.  Extrapolate this throughout the entire spine and you begin to see why thousands of patients are slipping through the cracks.

Under “Neurologic involvement,”  https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/330178-clinical   “Acute radiculoneuritis is reported in 50-85% of cases. Acute onset of motor deficits, severe radicular pain, and sensory loss are commonly seen after 2-4 weeks of infection. Multifocal asymmetric weakness is a common presentation. Although the presentation of inflammatory radiculoneuropathy is often indistinguishable from that of spinal-root compression, involvement of multiple dermatomes in the thorax and a lack of a precipitating injury can aid in diagnosis.”

I don’t think 50-80% of cases is rare, do you?

BTW:  please keep in mind a person can jump throughout the 3 stages of Lyme at at time.  So this idea you have to be infected for weeks to have radiculoneuritis is asinine an unscientific.  Quit saying it.

To understand the Lyme (borrelia) organism better:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/02/13/lyme-disease-treatment/

Category:

Gut Health, Lyme, research

Co-Infection Patterns in Wisconsin Black Legged Ticks Show Associations Between Viral, Eukaryotic & Bacterial Microorganisms

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30037148/

Co-Infection Patterns in Individual Ixodes scapularis Ticks Reveal Associations between Viral, Eukaryotic and Bacterial Microorganisms.

Cross ST, et al. Viruses. 2018.

Abstract

Ixodes scapularis ticks harbor a variety of microorganisms, including eukaryotes, bacteria and viruses. Some of these can be transmitted to and cause disease in humans and other vertebrates. Others are not pathogenic, but may impact the ability of the tick to harbor and transmit pathogens. A growing number of studies have examined the influence of bacteria on tick vector competence but the influence of the tick virome remains less clear, despite a surge in the discovery of tick-associated viruses.

In this study, we performed shotgun RNA sequencing on 112 individual adult I. scapularis collected in Wisconsin, USA. We characterized the abundance, prevalence and co-infection rates of viruses, bacteria and eukaryotic microorganisms.

We identified pairs of tick-infecting microorganisms whose observed co-infection rates were higher or lower than would be expected, or whose RNA levels were positively correlated in co-infected ticks. Many of these co-occurrence and correlation relationships involved two bunyaviruses, South Bay virus and blacklegged tick phlebovirus-1. These viruses were also the most prevalent microorganisms in the ticks we sampled, and had the highest average RNA levels.

Evidence of associations between microbes included a positive correlation between RNA levels of South Bay virus and Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease agent. These findings contribute to the rationale for experimental studies on the impact of viruses on tick biology and vector competence.

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**Eukaryotes are protozoans or parasites which includes worms (nematodes/helminths)**

Mainstream medicine has yet to take into account the synergistic effect of all of the pathogens found within a tick upon human suffering.  So far they continue to believe this is a one pathogen/one disease/one drug paradigm, hence the mono-therapy of doxycycline as their answer to this 21st century plague.

Until this changes, we are doomed.

Category:

Lyme, Parasites, research, Testing, Ticks, Viruses

MyLymeData2018 Conference Presentation – Lorraine Johnson

  Approx 30 Min.

LYMEPOLICYWONK: Presentation at MyLymeData2018

MyLymeData

Wondering if medical marijuana is effective at controlling the pain associated with Lyme disease? How other patients are treating their fatigue and insomnia? Which treatments have the most side effects?

Watch the presentation from MyLymeData2018 conference to find out.

With over 11,000 participants enrolled, the MyLymeData project is already giving us the answers to the fundamental questions that sick patients want to know. It collects information about the actual experience of Lyme patients–their symptoms, their treatments, what has helped and what hasn’t. This helps researchers target what’s most important–and helps us all learn from each other.

If you are already a member of MyLymeData, we thank you for your continued partnership. If you have Lyme or have had it at any time in the past, please join and help us communicate to academic researchers, scientists and policy makers. We look forward to continuing this vital research.

Lorraine Johnson, JD, MBA, is the Chief Executive Officer of LymeDisease.org. You can contact her at lbjohnson@lymedisease.org. On Twitter, follow her @lymepolicywonk. If you have not signed up for our patient-centered big data project, MyLymeData, please register now.

https://www.lymedisease.org/lymepolicywonk-mylymedata2018/

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If you haven’t joined MyLymeData, I encourage you to do so.  The information gathered is the first of its kind and is often the ONLY information gathered on those affected chronically/persistently.  You can also access direct information on the most effective treatments according to patients.  

If you want to skip to the latest info go to 15:20.  Johnson admits that the patient group is by and large those chronically affected.

For example, 60% who took the survey were diagnosed with a coinfection.

Category:

Activism, Lyme, research