Archive for the ‘Treatment’ Category

In the Battle Against Lyme Disease, the Ticks Are Winning

https://www.lymedisease.org/ticks-winning-lyme-sci-am-pfeiffer/

Scientific American, June 11, 2018:

by Mary Beth Pfeiffer

In the space of two generations, the natural landscape in many American states has been slowly transformed from a place of refuge and peace to one of peril and menace.

Blacklegged ticks that transmit Lyme disease and other illnesses inhabit half of US counties, where they infect some 300,000 people yearly in grassy meadows, urban parks, backyards and many other places.

Although children are the most frequently diagnosed group and thousands of infected patients develop long-term infirmity every year, little has been done to curb the spread of ticks or to control the harm inflicted by the Lyme bacterium. Instead, the list of new and threatening tick species and illnesses grows. READ MORE:  https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/in-the-battle-against-lyme-disease-the-ticks-are-winning/

 

7-Part FREE Series About Medical Cannabis

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First Longhorned Tick Confirmed in Arkansas

http://www.4029tv.com/article/first-longhorned-tick-confirmed-in-arkansas/21274301  (News Video here)

First Longhorned Tick confirmed in Arkansas

The USDA confirmed the presence of the Longhorned Tick in Arkansas for the first time.

The tick came from a dog in Benton County, according to the Arkansas Agriculture Department.

The Longhorned Tick is an exotic East Asian tick associated with bacterial and viral disease of both humans and animals. The USDA considers it a serious threat to livestock.

The tick is also believed to cause diseases in humans, including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. That disease was described in a 2014 CDC dispatch as “a newly emerging infectious disease.”

“Multiorgan failure occurs in severe cases, and 6%-30% of case-patients die,” according to the dispatch.

The Longhorned Tick was first confirmed to be in the United States in November 2017, when a specimen was identified in New Jersey. It has also been found in Virginia and West Virginia.

Longhorned Ticks are very small and resemble tiny spiders. The Arkansas Agriculture Department warns they can easily go unnoticed on animals and people.

The department asks that animal owners, veterinarians and farmers notify the Arkansas Agriculture Department if they notice unusual ticks or ticks that occur in large numbers on a single animal.

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**Comment**

The spread of the “tick from hell” has begun.  The reason we need to take note of this particular tick:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/03/01/asian-ticks-mysteriously-turn-up-in-new-jersey/

 

  1. IT CLONES ITSELF & MULTIPLIES QUICKLY…..
  2. It can drain cattle of their blood:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/03/12/asian-tick-found-in-new-jersey-can-kill-cattle-by-draining-them-of-blood/
  3. It spreads SFTS (sever fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome), “an emerging hemorrhagic fever,” causing fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, disease of the lymph nodes, and conjunctival congestion, but the potential impact of this tick on tickborne illness is not yet known. In other parts of the world, this Longhorned tick, also called the East Asian or bush tick, has been associated with several tickborne diseases, such as spotted fever rickettsioses, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme Disease.
  4. A top ecologist wonders if infection by this tick has gone undetected in the past.
  5. There isn’t a systematic national method to look for invasive ticks.
  6. It’s quickly showing up in other states:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/05/26/tick-from-hell-now-sited-in-west-virginia/
  7. It survives cold temps:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/04/21/ticks-from-hell-survived-the-winter/  (Again, the spread infection has ZIPPO to do with climate change)

For a 2016 literature review on SFTS:  http://infectious-diseases-and-treatment.imedpub.com/research-advances-on-epidemiology-of-severefever-with-thrombocytopenia-syndrome-asystematic-review-of-the-literature.php?aid=17986

Although the clinical symptoms of SFTS and HGA are similar to each other, but the treatment methods of the two diseases are totally different. Doctors notice that the biggest difference between the clinical symptom of SFTS and HGA is that SFTS patients generally without skin rash, the dermorrhagia is also not seriously, and few massive hemorrhage cases were reported [23]. It is also reported that SFTS patients had gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which are rarely observed in HGA patients [2]. So these differences can be used as the auxiliary basis of differential diagnosis.

At present, there is still no specific vaccine or antiviral therapy for SFTSV infection. Supportive treatment, including plasma, platelet, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), recombinant human interleukin 11, and gamma globulin is the most essential part of case treatment [44]. Meanwhile, some measures were taken to maintain water, electrolyte balance and treat complications are also very important.

Ribavirin is reported to be effective for treating Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) infections and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, but it is still inadequate to judge the effect of ribavirin on SFTS patients because of the study limitation without adequate parameters were investigated [45]. Host immune responses play an important role in determining the severity and clinical outcome in patients with infection by SFTSV.

For Viral treatment options:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/03/28/combating-viruses/

 

Two Cases of Babesia

Severe Babesia microti infection presenting as multiorgan failure in an immunocompetent host.

Ripoll JG, Rizvi MS, King RL, Daniels CE.
BMJ Case Reports, online first 2018 May 30.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2018-224647https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2018-224647

Abstract

A previously healthy 67-year-old farmer presented to an outside hospital after a 2-week history of non-specific respiratory symptoms. A certain diagnosis was not initially apparent, and the patient was discharged home on a regimen for presumed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.

He re-presented to the emergency department with shock and hypoxaemic respiratory failure requiring prompt intubation and fluid resuscitation. He was then transferred to our institution due to multiorgan failure.

On arrival, the patient demonstrated refractory shock and worsening acute kidney injury, severe anaemia and thrombocytopaenia. The peripheral smear revealed absence of microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia. A closer review of the smear displayed red blood cell inclusion bodies consistent with babesiosis.

The patient was started on clindamycin and loaded with intravenous quinidine, and subsequently transitioned to oral quinine. A red cell exchange transfusion was pursued with improvement of the parasite load.

The patient was discharged home on clindamycin/quinine and scheduled for outpatient intermittent haemodialysis.

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A Walk in the Park: A Case of Babesiosis in the South Bronx

Hajicharalambous C, Rattu M, Leuchten S.
Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine. 2018 Jan 11;2(1):61-63. eCollection 2018 Feb.

https://doi.org/10.5811/cpcem.2017.8.35924

Abstract

Babesiosis, mainly endemic within the Northeastern and upper Midwestern regions of the United States, is a zoonotic disease that invades and lyses red blood cells, which can result in hemolytic anemia. Its decreased incidence in comparison to Lyme disease is often attributed to the greater asymptomatic infection proportion and insufficient physician awareness or suspicion of this disease. Here we describe a case of undifferentiated febrile illness with hemolytic anemia that yielded the diagnosis of babesiosis.

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**Comment**

What mainstream medicine as YET to acknowledge and learn is that Lyme patients are typically coinfected with a plethora of pathogens that all demand attention and treatment.  I find the statement in the second abstract telling:  “Its decreased incidence in comparison to Lyme disease is often attributed to the greater asymptomatic infection proportion and insufficient physician awareness or suspicion of the disease.”

What happens in treatment is symptoms disappear one by one only to be replaced by new ones that the patient never noticed before.  My husband and I both had Babesia but didn’t really know it until some of the Lyme symptoms began to abate with treatment.  I was told, and it certainly is true, that treating for tick borne illness is like peeling an onion layer by layer.  This was our exact experience.

Physicians desperately need education on all things TBI as throwing all the doxy in the world at this isn’t going to help many people.  Babesia is a cousin to malaria and requires anti-malarial drugs.  Babesia is also extremely persistent and Dr. Horowitz recommends 9 months to a year of solid treatment.  We treated with Mepron, Arthemisinin (Allergy Research Brand), and an intracellular for a year.  All Babesia symptoms are gone.

http://www.wildcondor.com/dr-horowitz-on-babesiosis.html Dr. Krause published in the New England Journal of Medicine that when a patient has Lyme and Babesia, Lyme is found three-times more frequently in the blood, proving Babesia suppresses the immune system. https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/06/28/concurrent-babesiosis-and-lyme-in-patient/.  It also means you are sicker than a dog.

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/01/16/babesia-treatment/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/05/31/widespread-babesiosis-in-canada/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/02/20/babesia-and-heart-issues/

 

Lyme Education for Healthcare Professionals

https://globallymealliance.org/education-awareness/physicians-training-program/

LYME EDUCATION FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

There is an increasing risk for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases across the country. GLA recognizes the importance of patients having access to physicians who are trained to properly diagnose and treat Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. We are committed to educating the medical community by providing educational programming and training opportunities focused on diagnosing and managing Lyme disease, other tick-borne co-infections, and Lyme comorbidities.

CME-Accredited Education

GLA provides CME-accredited educational programs for healthcare professionals to learn more about diagnosing and treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.

On Demand CME
Pediatric Tick-Borne Disease: Diagnosis and Management
Patricia DeLaMora, MD, FAAP discusses the proper diagnosis and management of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases in children.This educational activity was developed to teach pediatricians and other healthcare professionals who want to learn:

-Limitations of current Lyme disease testing
-Recognition of some co-infections
-Antibiotic management of tick-borne diseases

Earn your CME credits now. Global Lyme Alliance developed this educational activity in partnership with Global Education Group. Global Education Group designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Physician Training Grants

Each year, GLA provides grant support to physicians and other healthcare professionals to attend the International Lyme and Associated Diseases (ILADS) Annual Conference. GLA has funded hundreds of clinicians to attend this major conference to learn about the latest clinical updates. These clinicians gain important Lyme disease knowledge and information to treat patients in their communities.

Physician Training Program

Over the years, the GLA Physician Training Program has provided grants to hundreds of clinicians to study alongside physicians experienced in treating Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. This peer-to-peer training program provided clinicians an opportunity to learn how to properly diagnose and treat Lyme and other co-infections from experts in the field. This program helped equip clinicians with the necessary skills to effectively treat and care for Lyme patients in their community.

ON DEMAND CME PEDIATRIC TICK-BORNE DISEASE: DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT
  • Our ImpactOUR IMPACTGLA has awarded over $9 million for research, and our GLA-funded projects have led to unprecedented advances in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne illnesses.

    LEARN MORE

  • Published ResearchPUBLISHED RESEARCHGLA funds innovative research projects. View research articles published in peer-reviewed journals.

    LEARN MORE

  • scientific advisory boardSCIENTIFIC ADVISORY BOARDThe Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) plays a key role in directing GLA’s grant funds into programs judged to have exceptional prospects of delivering measurable advances.

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**Comment**

For more on how to become educated on Lyme/MSIDS:  

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/02/19/calling-all-doctors-please-become-educated-regarding-tick-borne-illness-heres-how/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/02/22/new-lyme-cme-course-available-lyme-carditis-more-than-blocked-beats/

There are also annual conferences in which practitioners can obtain CME’s.  For info:

http://www.ilads.org

Friday-Saturday, June 15-16, 2018
Warsaw, Poland
The ILADS 2018 European Conference will be held June 15-16, 2018 at the Sheraton Warsaw Hotel. The theme is Chronic Borreliosis – Infection, Inflammation, Immunity.

and

Thursday-Sunday, November 1-4, 2018
Chicago, IL
ILADS’ 2018 fall meeting venue will be held in Chicago, IL at the Sheraton Grand Chicago

https://www.lymediseaseassociation.org

LDA/Columbia University – 19th Annual
Lyme/TBD CME Scientific Conference
October 27 & 28, 2018
Marriott Providence Downtown
Providence, RI