Archive for the ‘Ticks’ Category

4 New Published Articles on Ticks

https://lymediseaseassociation.org/news/james-occi-phd-4-new-published-articles-on-ticks/

James L. Occi, PhD: 4 New Published Articles on Ticks

James L. Occi, PhD
James L. Occi, PhD

James L. Occi, PhD, is the lead author of four new published articles regarding ticks over the last three years that have added to the scientific data necessary to understand the spread of ticks and the diseases they carry and transmit in the Northeast and that have provided a basis for moving the field of tick-borne diseases forward.

Jim has been on the Lyme Disease Association’s (LDA) Scientific & Professional Advisory Board since its inception in 1999.  He has been an invaluable resource to the LDA providing lectures, blogs, tick images, and consultations on ticks and the diseases they carry.

LDA Congratulates James Occi (Jim), who recently received his PhD at Rutgers University, the Center for Vector Biology (New Brunswick), and wishes him every success with his future endeavors.  He studied tick-borne diseases in New Jersey tick populations under the direction of Dr. Dina Fonseca and co-authored the below four published research articles for his dissertation.

“Annotated List of the Hard Ticks (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae) of New Jersey,” J Med Entomol., April 2019, examines documented cases of hard ticks found in NJ.  After a thorough review of the scientific literature, government documents, and evaluation of tick collections (vouchers) in museums and other repositories, the authors determined there were 11 verifiable species of ticks found in NJ.  Nine are native to North America, while two are invasive (Asian longhorned tick and brown dog tick).  In addition, there are seven tick species that may be present or become established in the future, but confirmation with existing NJ vouchers was not found.

Five tick species were reviewed that were reported in NJ but not found in NJ vouchers or that were found within neighboring states.  The importance of vouchers for tick research and surveillance is discussed.

A detailed statewide tick surveillance program would give public health professionals and physicians information to help protect the public from tick-borne diseases.  They would be knowledgeable about what tick species were present, what the principal hosts were and what pathogens the ticks carry and transmit.  (Click here for published article)

“New Jersey-Wide Survey of Rickettsia (Proteobacteria: Rickettsiaceae) in Dermacentor variabilis and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodida: Ixodidae)” was published in Am J Trop Med Hyg., Sept. 2020, and concludes the increase in Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses (SFGR) in NJ is unlikely to come from D. variabilis.  Infection with the tick-borne R. rickettsia bacterium causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) which can be fatal if left untreated.

Two tick species, that are considered Rickettsia vectors, were collected from all 21 NJ counties.  560 Dermacentor variabilis Say, American dog tick; 245 Amblyomma americanum L., lone star tick; and an additional 394 D. variabilis were collected at different time periods.   Zero D. variabilis and zero A. americanum were found to be infected with Rickettsia rickettsia.  They detected R. montanensis in D. variabilis and R. amblyommatis in A. americanum.

Collaboration among medical doctors, public health professionals, medical entomologists, and diagnostic laboratories will be needed to understand the causes of SFGR east of the Mississippi. What is causing human cases of SFGR in NJ remains unanswered. (Click here for published article)

Carios kelleyi, tick vector, on hand (Photo Credit: J. Occi, Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers Univ.)
‘Carios kelleyi’ on hand (Photo Credit: J. Occi, Center for Vector Biology, Rutgers Univ.)

“First Record of Carios kelleyi (Acari: Ixodida: Argasidae) in New Jersey, United States and Implications for Public Health,” J Med Entomol., March 2021.  Carios kelleyi is a soft tick that is almost exclusively a parasite of bats and had been found in at least 29 states, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Cuba, and now in New Jersey.  The nymphs and adults take several short blood meals (min. to hrs.), while the larvae remain attached for several days. Relapsing fever Borrelia is known to come from soft ticks that feed on small rodents, and when bats are removed, ticks begin to seek blood meals from humans.

C. kelleyi has been found infected with a novel spotted fever Rickettsia; a novel relapsing fever-related Borrelia;  Bartonella henselae; and a novel relapsing fever spirochete, identified as Borrelia johnsonii.

Although C. kelleyi is not thought to be an important vector of pathogens, its prevalence in bats in New Jersey is increasing.  This creates the possibility for transmission to humans, animals, and livestock.  New Jersey bats and the pathogens they carry should be monitored to assess the risk to the public. (Click here for published article)

“Ixodes scapularis (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Parasitizing an Unlikely Host: Big Brown Bats, Eptesicus fuscus (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae), in New York State, USA,” was published in J Med Entomol, Jan. 2022.  I. scapularis is a three-host tick found throughout the Northeast, Southeast, and Upper Midwest in the U.S  and is the most common vector of tick-borne diseases to humans in North America.  It feeds on over 150 species of terrestrial vertebrates, yet it had not previously been reported to feed on bats.   During 2019 and 2020, injured big brown bats in four locations in rural NY had larvae and nymphs attached to them.  Bats are known to carry a large number of pathogens and these ticks could go from hosting on a bat to hosting on a human. This poses a significant epidemiological risk and should be investigated further.  It also threatens bat species that are at risk. (Click here for published article)

Category:

Bartonella, research, Rickettsia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ticks, Transmission

Powassan Virus Found in Massachusetts Ticks

https://www.westernmassnews.com/2022/06/10/powassan-virus-found-massachusetts-ticks/  News Story Here (Approx. 3 Min)

By Mary Wilson, Photojournalist: Erik Rosario and Ryan Trowbridge
Updated: Jun. 10, 2022 at 4:00 PM CDT

AMHERST, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – A western Massachusetts tick testing company has found several ticks have tested positive for the Powassan virus, not long after a Connecticut woman in her 90s died of the tick-borne virus.

Scientists at Tick Report in Amherst are busy testing around 1,000 ticks a week, taking a close look under the microscope, and extracting DNA.

“June is going to be the worst month of the year for deer ticks, really the riskiest tick bite that you can get,” said Paul Killinger, education director at Tick Report.

(See link for news story)
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**Comment**
I just found a juvenile black legged tick on my towel, on my deck approx. 6 feet away from trees but separated by much and rocks.
One minute, no tick, and the next minute there it was.
I believe the tick blew from the nearby trees onto the deck, even though most researchers deny ticks dropping from trees, even though birds transport ticks everywhere, including trees where they may drop off.
This TV anchor got infected this way, and a Lyme advocate told me that ticks blow into their pool from nearby trees regularly.
For more:

Powassan is NOT rare:

http://www.coppelabs.com/blog/why-is-powassan-virus-infection-still-described-as-rare-and-mysterious/  Excerpt:  

For the last two years, Coppe Laboratories has dedicated a significant amount of time and resources to dispelling the myth that infection with Powassan virus, a virus transmitted by tick bite, is rare. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) reports only 100 cases of Powassan virus infection in the United States in the last 10 years. Indeed, that statistic gives the illusion that Powassan infection is rare. However, did you know that the only infections reported to CDC are those that are life-threatening, particularly cases causing severe inflammation of the brain like the case reported in LiveScience? Coppe has published three new papers in the last year that clearly show Powassan virus infection is not rare are at all, and until testing for this virus is included as part of tick-borne disease screening panels infections will continue to be underreported. Coppe’s Powassan Guide, which can be downloaded from the website, summarizes the findings from both tick and human Powassan prevalence studies, as well as defining the patient populations that would benefit most from Powassan testing.

Category:

Activism, research, Ticks, Viruses

How to Tell If a Tick Head is Still in Your Skin

https://www.self.com/story/tick-head-in-skin

Here’s How to Tell If a Tick Head Is Still in Your Skin, According to Doctors

And how to safely remove all of it ASAP.

By Kathryn Watson

Medically reviewed by Samantha G. Stoler, MD

digital collage showing closeup of legs and a line drawing of a tick
If a tick head is still in your skin, you’ll want to remove it carefully.Photo by Karyme França from Pexels / Tick drawing by Hein Nouwens via Getty Images / Design by Amanda K Bailey

You’re out hiking, breathing in the fresh air, taking in the sounds of nature—ticks are the furthest thing from your mind. That is until you see a brown tick butt sticking out from your skin. Maybe you immediately rip it off, only to wonder, How can I tell if a tick head is still in my skin?

If this is you, don’t panic. We‘ve got answers ahead. But first, let’s talk about ticks. We’re seeing an uptick in these tiny, insect-like parasites that feed off people and warm-blooded animals due to the growing populations of two of their favorite hosts: deer and mice. That may be good for ticks—they definitely have their place in a healthy, natural ecosystem—but that healthy place is not on your body. After all, ticks can transmit pathogens when they latch onto you. Over the past ten years, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, there has been a surge in Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, many of which can cause severe complications if they aren’t diagnosed and treated.  (See link for article)

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SUMMARY:

  • An attached tick typically stays put for anywhere from 3 days to two weeks. The longer it is attached, the greater your risk for infection, so getting it off safely and promptly is important.
  • While the article recommends the CDC’s method of using tweezers for tick removal, I recommend a special tick removal device.  Go here for a review of products. Some can even be put on your key-chain which is handy in a pinch.
  • It’s important to NOT squeeze the tick or crush it as the fluids could transmit infection.
  • Some states offer free tick testing.  You can save the tick and have it tested for pathogens.  Wisconsin does not have such a service, which is really unfortunate, but tick testing is not without error.
  • Dermatologists recommend using a magnifying glass to make sure you haven’t left any body parts.  If the skin is firm, red, irritated, and has a lump, the tick may be embedded deeper.  You may need a dermagologist to surgically remove it with a punch biopsy tool.
  • The dermatologist states that “most tick bite end up being harmless.”  Where he derives this is beyond me.  Take each and every tick bite as seriously as a heart attack.  This crud can derail your life.
  • He also states you don’t need to call your doctor right away.  I COMPLETELY DISAGREE.  Call!  Immediately!  Get on prophylactic antibiotics/antimicrobials asap.  The risk of a life-debilitating illness just isn’t worth it.  Do NOT take the “wait and see approach.”
  • I highly recommend the article: Help! I Got Bit By a Tick!  What Do I do?
  • For prevention:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/04/12/tick-prevention-2019/
  • Excellent Resource on steps to take if you are bitten by a tick:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/04/21/help-i-got-bit-by-a-tick-what-do-i-do/

Category:

Activism, Lyme, Testing, Ticks, Treatment

British Columbia CDC Updates Info on Lyme Disease

https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/369932/BCCDC-releases-map-of-risk-areas-where-people-could-contract-Lyme-disease

BCCDC releases map of risk areas where people could contract Lyme disease

Lyme disease areas listed
Rob Gibson – May 25, 2022

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control has updated its information on Lyme disease in the province.

The agency has published a map of the areas considered risk zones for Lyme disease.

“It’s certainly an update, and contradicts much of what doctors have been telling patients throughout the province for years,” said Jim Wilson, president and founder of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation.

Wilson says the BCCDC was behind the times and he’s glad to see they have updated their information.

“Saying these areas are not at risk for Lyme disease (in the past), is just not the case and hasn’t been the case for decades.”

(See link for article)

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**Comment**

Wilson, a patient himself, states the main reason for the long-overdue update was due to pressure by his organization.

And this, my friends, is the only way we make progress.  By doing it ourselves.

Wilson also warns that an important underlying issue that isn’t being discussed is the fact ticks are possibly everywhere due to migrating birds transporting them globally.  He states Revelstoke, Golden, and Banff which aren’t highlighted by the BCCDC map should be.

Please check out prevention and removal methods on his website, as well as many other resources.

For more:

Category:

Activism, Lyme, Prevention, Ticks

News Report: Tiny Terror – The Truth About Ticks

https://www.localsyr.com/living-with-lyme/living-with-lyme-tiny-terror/  News Video Here (Approx. 24 Min)

Tiny Terror: The Truth About Ticks

by: ,

Updated:

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Ticks are in our yards and they’re saturating Central New York. One bite can change everything. Most people do not know Central New York is an epicenter for tick-borne disease. Most recent data indicates a 439% increase in Central New York between 2008 and 2018.

What are some of the symptoms of Lyme disease?

  • Brain fog
  • Headaches
  • Joint Pain
  • Extreme Fatigue
Doctors and scientists struggle to agree on how to get this under control.

(See link for video and story)

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SUMMARY:

  • The reason Lyme/MSIDS patients are not treated appropriately is due to the faulty, unscientific, and fraudulent CDC Lyme guidelines which serve as an Iron Curtain in the medical community.
  • It is imperative to get to a Lyme literate (LLMD) doctor trained by ILADS, a group of medical professionals who recognize the faulty, unreliable testing and ineffective CDC guidelines.
  • The quote from a doctor in the news story that taking a single or double dose of doxycycline reducing the risk of transmission has been completely and utterly debunked.
    • Based on animal studies, ILADS recommends that known blacklegged tick bites be treated with 20 days of doxycycline (barring any contraindications).
    • Given the low success rates in trials treating EM rashes for 20 or fewer days, ILADS recommends that patients receive 4-6 weeks of doxycycline, amoxicillin or cefuroxime. A minimum of 21 days of azithromycin is also acceptable, especially in Europe. All patients should be reassessed at the end of their initial therapy and, when necessary, antibiotic therapy should be extended.
    • ILADS recommends that patients with persistent symptoms and signs of Lyme disease be evaluated for other potential causes before instituting additional antibiotic therapy.
    • ILADS recommends antibiotic retreatment when a chronic Lyme infection is judged to be a possible cause of the ongoing manifestations and the patient has an impaired quality of life.
  • Lyme survivor Brenna Osmun, who lost her ability to walk, is interviewed on the report.  Two months of IV antibiotics saved her life. She suffered years of relapses until she saw a LLMD, a specialist rarely covered by insurance.  She also had Babesia and Bartonella and was treated with more than a dozen herbs and antibiotics.  She says this to patients:

“It gets better. It really, really does. And my life changed for the better I wanna say. Even though I was really sick, it does get better. And having that support really helps you. Don’t give up. Please don’t give up. I didn’t and I’m still alive.” ~ Brenna Osmu

  • Executive Director of the Central New York Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Alliance, Royale Scuderi became infected years ago when doctors treating this were scarce.  She had to drive to Long Island for year to get appropriately treated.
  • Journalist and host of the news program, Nicole Sommavilla became septic with her organs shutting down.  Years later she was diagnosed with Lyme disease and required a dozen drugs to treat Lyme, Babesia, and Anaplasmosis

“I went from years of oral medications and injections to just one medication I’m on now and just a lot of maintenance with diet and knowing when not to push myself past my limit, it’s a lot of self-awareness.” ~ Nicole Sommavilla

A MESSAGE FROM NICOLE:

If you’re fighting Lyme right now, please don’t give up.

Don’t quit in the darkness. Most days it may feel easier to give in, but hang on. Lean into your support system and keep fighting. Because joy and healing are coming. ~ Nicola Sommavilla

For more:

Category:

Activism, Lyme, Ticks, Treatment