https://www.thesprucepets.com/lyme-disease-in-dogs-3384701

How to Spot the Symptoms of Lyme Disease in Dogs

Lyme disease is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi and is spread by ticks. Ticks become infected with the bacteria by feeding on infected mice and other small animals. When an infected tick bites other animals, it can transmit the bacteria to these animals. Lyme disease is transmitted by the deer tick (black-legged tick) and a small group of other closely related ticks. The deer tick is small and may bite animals and people without being detected. Lyme disease affects a variety of species, including dogs, cats, and people. Up to 95 percent of dogs infected with B. burgdorferi do not develop symptoms (people are much more likely to become ill with Lyme disease).

There is no evidence that Lyme disease is spread by direct contact with infected animals. However, keep in mind that ticks can hitch a ride home on your pets and move on to the humans in the household. **Please see my comment at end of article**

Risk Factors

Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors, especially in the woods, bush, or areas of tall grass are most commonly infected with Lyme disease. However, ticks can be carried into yards on other animals, and dogs can become infected anywhere ticks are found.

Infections occur during tick season (usually spring through early fall), but the time between infection and the appearance of Lyme disease symptoms can be up to 2-5 months. **Please see comment**

Lyme disease is seen across the US and in many other parts of the world. In the US. Lyme disease is most common in the northeastern US, along with the Pacific coast, and in the midwest.

Signs of Lyme Disease

When clinical signs do develop, they may be transient or recurrent, and can include:

  • Fever.
  • Decreased appetite.
  • Swollen, painful joints (dogs may be reluctant to move).
  • Lameness — limping which may be mild at first, then worsen, and may also shift from one leg to another.
  • Lethargy.
  • Swollen lymph nodes.

Some dogs with Lyme disease may develop kidney disease.

Signs of kidney disease may include depression, vomiting, loss of appetite, and increased thirst and urination (sometimes a lack of urination will develop). Dogs who develop kidney disease can become very ill and may not respond to treatment.

Neurological disease (behavioral changes, seizures) and heart complications, which are sometimes seen in humans, are rare in dogs.

Diagnosis of Lyme Disease

The diagnosis of Lyme disease must be based on a combination of factors, including history (tick exposure), clinical signs, finding antibodies to B. burgdorferi bacteria, and a quick response to treatment with antibiotics.

A positive antibody test is not enough to make a diagnosis on its own, because not all dogs that are exposed to B. burgdorferi get sick, and antibodies can persist in the blood for a long time after exposure.

Other diagnostic testing, such as blood and urine tests, x-rays, and sampling of joint fluid, may be done to check for signs of kidney disease and to rule out other conditions with similar signs and symptoms.

Treating Lyme Disease

Treatment with antibiotics usually produces rapid improvement in symptoms (antibiotics will be continued for a few weeks). Treatment may not be completely clear the bacteria, but produces a state where no symptoms are present (similar to the condition in dogs that don’t have symptoms from infection).

Kidney disease may develop some time after the initial infection, so is it a good idea to regularly check for excess protein in the urine of dogs that have had Lyme disease. Catching the kidney disease early in its course offers the best prognosis. If kidney disease is present, a longer course of antibiotics along with additional medications to treat the kidney disease is usually necessary.

Preventing Lyme Disease
  • Tick Control is extremely important for the prevention of Lyme disease (and many other diseases that can be transmitted by ticks). Check your dog daily for ticks and remove them as soon as possible, since ticks must feed for at least 12 hours (possibly 24-48 hours) before transmitting the bacteria causing Lyme disease. This is especially important in peak tick season and after your dog spends time in the bush or tall grass (consider avoiding these areas in tick season).  Products that prevent ticks such as monthly parasite preventatives (e.g., Frontline®, Revolution®) or tick collars (e.g., Preventic®) can be used; be sure to follow your veterinarian‘s advice when using these products. Keep grass and brush trimmed in your yard, and in areas where ticks are a serious problem, you can also consider treating your yard for ticks.  **Again, please see my comment at end of article**
  • Vaccines for Lyme Disease: Vaccination against Lyme disease is a controversial topic and is something that should be discussed in depth with your veterinarian. Many specialists do not recommend routine vaccination because so few dogs develop symptoms of Lyme disease, and when Lyme disease does occur in dogs, it is usually readily treated. Additionally, because arthritis and kidney problems associated with Lyme disease are at least partly related to the immune response to the bacteria (rather than the bacteria itself), there is concern that vaccination may contribute to problems. Vaccination is also not 100 percent effective, and it’s only helpful in dogs that have not already been exposed to B. burgdorferi. However, vaccination before exposure can help prevent dogs from getting Lyme disease and also prevent them from becoming a carrier of the bacteria. Where vaccines are used, it is usually recommended to start vaccinating dogs as young puppies (e.g., at around 12 weeks, with a booster 2-4 weeks later). The vaccine does not provide long-lasting immunity, so annual re-vaccination (ideally before tick season) is necessary. The recombinant form of the vaccine is considered to have less potential for side effects than the bacteria form of the vaccine.
Please note: this article has been provided for informational purposes only. If your pet is showing any signs of illness, please consult a veterinarian as quickly as possible.
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**Comment**
While there are many useful take-aways from this article, a number of myths continue to be propagated.  
  1. There is evidence that there is transmission by direct contact with animals.  http://www.lymerick.net/Transmission-Bb-contact.htm  (Here we see evidence of Bb in feces, urine, tick excretes, cow milk, food, in utero, transplacental, sexual, semen, and mucus membranes.)
  2. My vet treated my dog for longer than a couple of weeks.  I think that wise knowing the organism reproduces slowly.  They also have the canine equivalent of probiotics but they are designed for a dog’s micro biome so don’t give him yours.
  3. The fallacy of it taking 24-48 hours to be transmitted, is just that – a fallacy.  Please read more about transmission time here:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/04/14/transmission-time-for-lymemsids-infection/
  4. Transmission can occur at ANY TIME of the YEAR.  I have buddies pulling live ticks off their dogs in Northern Wisconsin in February.

Also, please note the comments about the vaccine.  They always want to state how great it is in animals but I see many comments that suggest extreme caution – similarly to the human Lyme vaccine.  First, it doesn’t provide lasting immunity, it causes obvious side-effects, it’s not 100% effective, and vaccination can make things worse for dog exposed to Bb.  Since this can be transmitted congenitally, it’s pretty hard to know what dogs already have Bb.  It’s Russian Roulette with dogs just as much as with humans.  Buyer beware.

https://w3.cdn.anvato.net/player/prod/v3/anvload.html?  (News Video Here)

WASHINGTON ( ABC NEWS10) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is increasing funding for Lyme disease research by 12 percent, or a more than $1 million increase.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) says the amendment to an existing bill marks the first increase in CDC Lyme funding in years.

He says the funding will be used to study and prevent exposure to pathogens that cause Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.

_______________

**Comment**

While this looks good first blush, it will only help patients if the Cabal isn’t spear-heading it as their research is typically flawed in a myriad of ways.  This money needs to get into the hands of folks who truly are open-minded, are willing to look hard despite previous research, and don’t follow a party-line.  If that doesn’t happen, expect more studies saying 21 days of doxy will cure you and that any symptoms after that time-frame are all in your head.

http://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/6/3/104

Neuropsychiatric Lyme Borreliosis: An Overview with a Focus on a Specialty Psychiatrist’s Clinical Practice

Department of Psychiatry, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
Received: 10 July 2018 / Revised: 22 August 2018 / Accepted: 23 August 2018 / Published: 25 August 2018
View Full-Text   |   Download PDF [316 KB, uploaded 25 August 2018]

Abstract

There is increasing evidence and recognition that Lyme borreliosis (LB) causes mental symptoms. This article draws from databases, search engines and clinical experience to review current information on LB. LB causes immune and metabolic effects that result in a gradually developing spectrum of neuropsychiatric symptoms, usually presenting with significant comorbidity which may include:

  • developmental disorders
  • autism spectrum disorders
  • schizoaffective disorders
  • bipolar disorder, depression
  • anxiety disorders (panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, intrusive symptoms)
  • eating disorders
  • decreased libido
  • sleep disorders
  • addiction
  • opioid addiction
  • cognitive impairments
  • dementia
  • seizure disorders
  • suicide
  • violence
  • anhedonia
  • depersonalization
  • dissociative episodes
  • derealization
  • other impairments
Screening assessment followed by a thorough history, comprehensive psychiatric clinical exam, review of systems, mental status exam, neurological exam and physical exam relevant to the patient’s complaints and findings with clinical judgment, pattern recognition and knowledgeable interpretation of laboratory findings facilitates diagnosis.
Psychotropics and antibiotics may help improve functioning and prevent further disease progression. Awareness of the association between LB and neuropsychiatric impairments and studies of their prevalence in neuropsychiatric conditions can improve understanding of the causes of mental illness and violence and result in more effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment. View Full-Text
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).
Bransfield, R.C. Neuropsychiatric Lyme Borreliosis: An Overview with a Focus on a Specialty Psychiatrist’s Clinical Practice. Healthcare2018, 6, 104.
_____________________

 

**UPDATE**

Persecuted Dr. Mary Talley Bowden states if she had ‘vaccinated’ her 6,000 patients she treated for COVID she could have made $1.5 MILLION.  Instead, she spent $250,000+ in legal fees defending her license for prescribing ivermectin.

Go here to listen to former Pediatrician Dr. Paul Thomas on how doctors often use ‘wellness visits’ to coerce ‘vaccination, and receive ‘incentive’ payments for giving children ‘vaccines,’ but dodge all ‘vaccine’ questions.  Thomas, author of “The Vaccine-Friendly Plan: Dr. Paul’s Safe and Effective Approach to Immunity and Health-from Pregnancy Through Your Child’s Teen Year,” gave parents in his practice a choice: vaccinate their children on the CDC schedule, vaccinate more slowly by waiting for the child’s immune system to develop or not vaccinate at all.

As more patients refused vaccines, Thomas began to notice the financial impact on his practice.  He was shocked to learn he was losing over a MILLION dollars.  It’s quite easy to see why most doctors vaccinate.  

Go here where cardiologist Dr. Peter McCullough discovered a leaked Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield document which showed a typical doctor could make an extra $250,000 if they injected 75% of their patients with the COVID gene therapy. And go here for Greg Reese’s great 5 minute video.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/financial-kickbacks-vaccinations-abusive-illegal-jeffrey-dach-md/

Financial Kickbacks for Vaccinations Abusive Illegal and Fraudulent

Published on August 19, 2018
Jeffrey Dach MD

Financial Kickbacks are Illegal in the Medical Field

When I worked in the hospital as a radiologist doing medical imaging, part of my job was to recommend additional imaging studies. For example, if I saw a mass on a chest Xray, I would recommend a chest CAT scan. If I saw blastic lesions in the rib on a chest Xray, I would recommend a radionuclide bone scan, etc. I always thought to myself, what if i owned a radiology imaging center. That would be great because I could really make a lot of money by referring all of these cases to myself. Above image courtesy of Bob the Pharmacist.

Stark Anti-Kickback Laws

However, there is a problem. Referring cases to my own imaging center is illegal, a form of fraud and abuse, a violation of the 1988 Stark Law “Ethics in Patient Referrals Act” (4,5). These laws are summarized by the Office of Inspector General Report Department of Health and Human resources:(4)

“The five most important Federal fraud and abuse laws that apply to physicians are the False Claims Act (FCA), the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), the Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark law), the Exclusion Authorities, and the Civil Monetary Penalties Law (CMPL). Government agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), are charged with enforcing these laws. As you begin your career, it is crucial to understand these laws not only because following them is the right thing to do, but also because violating them could result in criminal penalties, civil fines, exclusion from the Federal health care programs, or loss of your medical license from your State medical board.”(4)

Practice of Medicine is Not a Multi-Level Marketing Scheme

In other words, the practice of medicine is not a Multi-Level Marketing Scheme to make money by “gaming the system” by running large numbers of patients through tests or procedures for financial profit. Not only does this waste a huge amount of public money, it may cause considerable harm to the patient population. This is considered unethical behavior by the doctor, who is then subject to various civil and criminal penalties including loss of license.

Pediatricians Allowed to “Game the System”

This brings us to the financial incentives to pediatricians offered by insurance companies for vaccinating our children. The Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance document explaining these financial incentives can be found here: https://jeffreydachmd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Pediatricians-Receive-Financial-Incentives-Kickbacks-to-Vaccinate-Children-BCBS-2016-Booklet.pdf  Pediatricians are raking in 40-80 thousand dollars a year from these kickback schemes.

Illegal Kickback Fraud and Abuse

I would argue this type of financial incentive to pediatricians is a form of illegal kickback prohibited by the anti-kickback laws. This type of financial arrangement gives a “green light” to the pediatricians to “game the system” to maximize financial gain by increasing the volume of a procedure. This is fraud and abuse which should be prosecuted by the Office of Inspector General.

Why Does the Health Insurance Company Offer Kickbacks for Vaccinations?

The health insurance company is offering this financial incentive, in reality a cash kickback, because the insurance company thinks vaccination makes a healthier population with fewer insurance claims.(10-11) The insurance company believes they will have fewer insurance claims in heavily vaccinated populations, and will make more money. The insurance company is happy to share their increased profit with the doctors in the form of a “kickback” cash incentive. This is clearly an unethical “kickback” scheme. Pediatricians should be providing health care as part of the routine practice of medicine, not on the basis of a financial kickback. Please contact your congressman and ask them to request the office of inspector general bring a halt this illegal kickback arrangement.

Are Vaccinated Populations Healthier and Utilize Less Health Care Resources?

Are vaccinated populations healthier and utilize less health care resources, thereby leading to greater profits for the health insurance industry? The answer is yes, according to this article in 2014 Pediatrics from authors employed by the CDC and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. They concluded the cost savings are enormous. Health insurance company decisions to offer financial incentives to pediatricians for vaccinating children is based on this and similar studies.(11)

Analyses showed that routine childhood immunization among members of the 2009 US birth cohort will prevent 42,000 early deaths and 20 million cases of disease, with net savings of $13.5 billion in direct costs and $68.8 billion in total societal costs, respectively. The direct and societal benefit-cost ratios for routine childhood vaccination with these 9 vaccines were 3.0 and 10.1.(11)

Of course, the article is severely flawed because it is based on historical data and various assumptions and calculations which may turn out to be false. The only way to really know if a highly vaccinated population is healthier than an unvaccinated, and utilizes less health care, is to do a randomized prospective study. Such a study would follow a population of children over 5-10 years with the population randomized to vaccinated or unvaccinated. At the end of the observation period, the numbers can be tabulated for ER visits and hospitalizations, autoimmune disease, and neuro-developmental disorder in the vaccinated vs. unvaccinated groups, and get a real answer to the question. Of course, this study has never been done, and probably never will.

Are Vaccinated Healthier than Unvaccinated?

We have studies which suggest the opposite, that vaccinated populations are not healthier than unvaccinated populations. A study by Neil Z. Miller in the 2016 Journal of Am Phys Surg 2016, reveals the children receiving greater numbers of vaccinations have more ER visits, more hospitalizations and increased mortality reported to the VAERS Database.(7) Mr Miller says that less healthcare is better than more healthcare. He examined the:

“VAERS database from 1990 through 2010. There were more than 325,000 VAERS reports. Our study showed that infants who receive several vaccines concurrently, as recommended by CDC, are significantly more likely to be hospitalized or die when compared with infants who receive fewer vaccines simultaneously”.(7)

CDC Says Receiving Multiple Vaccines Concurrently is Safe ?

The CDC says that receiving multiple vaccines concurrently is safe for children:(8)

“Scientific data show that getting several vaccines at the same time does not cause any chronic health problems. A number of studies have been done to look at the effects of giving various combinations of vaccines, and when every new vaccine is licensed, it has been tested along with the vaccines already recommended for a particular aged child. The recommended vaccines have been shown to be as effective in combination as they are individually. Sometimes, certain combinations of vaccines given together can cause fever, and occasionally febrile seizures; these are temporary and do not cause any lasting damage. Based on this information, both the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend getting all routine childhood vaccines on time.”

However, Neil Miller says the CDC is lying to you. He says:”this combination of eight vaccines administered during a single physician visit was never tested for safety in clinical trials.”(7)

“Although CDC recommends polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae type B, and pneumococcal vaccines for two-, four-, and six-month-old infants, this combination of eight vaccines administered during a single physician visit was never tested for safety in clinical trials….CDC urges infants to receive multiple vaccines concurrently without scientific evidence to confirm the safety of this practice. Administering six, seven, or eight vaccine doses to an infant during a single physician visit is certainly more convenient for parents, as opposed to making additional trips to the doctor’s office, and increases the likelihood that the infant will receive all the vaccines, but vaccine safety must remain the highest priority.”(7)

If someone could show me the clinical trials testing eight vaccines in combination at one time, showing them safe, then I would be happy to believe the CDC over Mr. Miller. So far I have been unable to find any of these studies.

Evidence of Harm from Vaccines

Another recent study from Dr. Mawson in Translational Medicine 2017 suggests that vaccinated populations are more prone to neurodevelopmental disorders defined as learning disability, Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. (12-14) The harm was greater if the infant was pre-term.(12-14)

Harming the Pediatric Population for Financial Gain

If these studies are true, this would suggest the Health Insurance program of financial incentives (ie kickbacks) to pediatricians for increasing vaccinations is harming our children. Not only is this unethical and illegal practice based on our existing anti-kickback law, this practice is causing immeasurable harm to the children, the families and our society. Print this article and send a copy to your friends and family. Call, email or write your congressman and ask them to request the Inspector General’s Office to bring a stop to this unethical and illegal kickback scheme.

References:

1) Blue Cross Blue Shield 2016 Booklet Financial Incentives to Pediatricians to Vaccinate Children. Pediatricians Receive Financial Incentives Kickbacks to Vaccinate Children BCBS 2016 Booklet

2) Blue Cross Blue Shield Pays Your Doctor A $40,000 Bonus For Fully Vaccinating 100 Patients Under The Age of 2 By Paul Meizner

3) Are Physicians Given Financial Incentives to Vaccinate Our Children?

1 By Jonathan Wright on September 8, 2017

===========================================

4) A Roadmap for New Physicians Fraud & Abuse Laws Office of Inspector General

The five most important Federal fraud and abuse laws that apply to physicians are the False Claims Act (FCA), the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), the Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark law), the Exclusion Authorities, and the Civil Monetary Penalties Law (CMPL). As you begin your career, it is crucial to understand these laws not only because following them is the right thing to do, but also because violating them could result in criminal penalties, civil fines, exclusion from the Federal health care programs, or loss of your medical license from your State medical board.

Taking money or gifts from a drug or device company or a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier is not justified by the argument that you would have prescribed that drug or ordered that wheelchair even without a kickback.

The Physician Self-Referral Law, commonly referred to as the Stark law, prohibits physicians from referring patients to receive “designated health services” payable by Medicare or Medicaid from entities with which the physician or an immediate family member has a financial relationship, unless an exception applies

5) Anti-kickback & Stark Compliance Information AAFP

What is the anti-kickback rule? The anti-kickback statute makes it illegal for providers (including physicians) to knowingly and willfully accept bribes or other forms of remuneration in return for generating Medicare, Medicaid or other federal health care program business.

—————————

document: General Accountability Office Report: MEDICARE Implementation of Financial Incentive Programs under Federal Fraud and Abuse Laws

However, there are no exceptions or safe harbors specifically for financial incentive programs intended to improve quality and efficiency, and legal experts reported that the constraints of existing exceptions and safe harbors make it difficult to design and implement a comprehensive program for all participating physicians and patient populations.

======================================================

6) Cornell Law Review

h) Preventive screening tests, immunizations, and vaccines. Preventive screening tests, immunizations, and vaccines that meet the following conditions:

(1) The preventive screening tests, immunizations, and vaccines are subject to CMS-mandated frequency limits.

(2) The arrangement for the provision of the preventive screening tests, immunizations, and vaccines does not violate the anti-kickback statute (section 1128B(b) of the Act).

Does not violate the anti-kickback statute

Does not violate the anti-kickback statute, as used in this subpart only, means that the particular arrangement –

(1)

(i) Meets a safe harbor under the anti-kickback statute, as set forth at § 1001.952 of this title, “Exceptions”;

(ii) Has been specifically approved by the OIG in a favorable advisory opinion issued to a party to the particular arrangement (for example, the entity furnishing DHS) with respect to the particular arrangement (and not a similar arrangement), provided that the arrangement is conducted in accordance with the facts certified by the requesting party and the opinion is otherwise issued in accordance with part 1008 of this title, “Advisory Opinions by the OIG”; or

(iii) Does not violate the anti-kickback provisions in section 1128B(b) of the Act.

(2) For purposes of this definition, a favorable advisory opinion means an opinion in which the OIG opines that –

(i) The party’s specific arrangement does not implicate the anti-kickback statute, does not constitute prohibited remuneration, or fits in a safe harbor under § 1001.952 of this title; or

(ii) The party will not be subject to any OIG sanctions arising under the anti-kickback statute (for example, under sections 1128A(a)(7) and 1128(b)(7) of the Act) in connection with the party’s specific arrangement.

==============================

7) Combining Childhood Vaccines at One Visit Is Not Safe by Neil Z. Miller Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, Volume 21, Number 2, Summer 2016

Combining Childhood Vaccines at One Visit Is Not Safe Neil Z Miller J Am Phys Surg 2016

Although CDC recommends polio, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, rotavirus, Haemophilus influenzae type B, and pneumococcal vaccines for two-, four-, and six-month-old infants, this combination of eight vaccines administered during a single physician visit was never tested for safety in clinical trials.

CDC urges infants to receive multiple vaccines concurrently without scientific evidence to confirm the safety of this practice. Administering six, seven, or eight vaccine doses to an infant during a single physician visit is certainly more convenient for parents, as opposed to making additional trips to the doctor’s office, and increases the likelihood that the infant will receive all the vaccines, but vaccine safety must remain the highest priority.

Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)

VAERS database from 1990 through 2010. There were more than 325,000 VAERS reports.

Our study showed that infants who receive several vaccines concurrently, as recommended by CDC, are significantly more likely to be hospitalized or die when compared with infants who receive fewer vaccines simultaneously.

8) Getting multiple vaccines at the same time has been shown to be safe. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People

Scientific data show that getting several vaccines at the same time does not cause any chronic health problems. A number of studies have been done to look at the effects of giving various combinations of vaccines, and when every new vaccine is licensed, it has been tested along with the vaccines already recommended for a particular aged child. The recommended vaccines have been shown to be as effective in combination as they are individually. Sometimes, certain combinations of vaccines given together can cause fever, and occasionally febrile seizures; these are temporary and do not cause any lasting damage. Based on this information, both the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend getting all routine childhood vaccines on time.

9) How Much Money Do Pediatricians Really Make From Vaccines?

10) Zhou, Fangjun, et al. “Economic evaluation of the 7-vaccine routine childhood immunization schedule in the United States, 2001.” Archives of pediatrics & adolescent medicine 159.12 (2005): 1136-1144.

Participants A hypothetical 2001 US birth cohort of 3 803 295 infants was followed up from birth through death.

Main Outcome Measures Net present value (net savings) and benefit-cost ratios of routine immunization.

Results Routine childhood immunization with the 7 vaccines was cost saving from the direct cost and societal perspectives, with net savings of $9.9 billion and $43.3 billion, respectively. Without routine vaccination, direct and societal costs of diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, H influenzae type b, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, hepatitis B, and varicella would be $12.3 billion and $46.6 billion, respectively. Direct and societal costs for the vaccination program were an estimated $2.3 billion and $2.8 billion, respectively. Direct and societal benefit-cost ratios for routine childhood vaccination were 5.3 and 16.5, respectively.

Conclusion Regardless of the perspective, the current routine childhood immunization schedule results in substantial cost savings.

11) Zhou, Fangjun, et al. “Economic evaluation of the routine childhood immunization program in the United States, 2009.” Pediatrics (2014): peds-2013. Economic evaluation routine childhood immunization program United States 2009 Zhou Fangjun Pediatrics 2014

Analyses showed that routine childhood immunization among members of the 2009 US birth cohort will prevent 42 000 early deaths and 20 million cases of disease, with net savings of $13.5 billion in direct costs and $68.8 billion in total societal costs, respectively. The direct and societal benefit-cost ratios for routine childhood vaccination with these 9 vaccines were 3.0 and 10.1.

================================

12) Mawson, Anthony R., et al. “Preterm birth, vaccination and neurodevelopmental disorders: a cross-sectional study of 6-to 12-year-old vaccinated and unvaccinated children.” J Transl Sci 3 (2017). Preterm birth vaccination and neurodevelopmental disorders vaccinated and unvaccinated children Mawson Anthony R J Transl Sci 2017

From about 8% to 27% of extremely preterm infants develop symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, but the causes are not well understood. Preterm infants receive the same doses of the recommended vaccines and on the same schedule as term infants. The possible role of vaccination in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) among premature infants is unknown, in part because pre-licensure clinical trials of pediatric vaccines have excluded ex-preterm infants. This paper explores the association between preterm birth, vaccination and NDD, based on a secondary analysis of data from an anonymous survey of mothers, comparing the birth history and health outcomes of vaccinated and unvaccinated homeschool children 6 to 12 years of age. A convenience sample of 666 children was obtained, of which 261 (39%) were unvaccinated, 7.5% had an NDD (defined as a learning disability, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder), and 7.7% were born preterm. No association was found between preterm birth and NDD in the absence of vaccination, but vaccination was significantly associated with NDD in children born at term (OR 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2, 6.0). However, vaccination coupled with preterm birth was associated with increasing odds of NDD, ranging from 5.4 (95% CI: 2.5, 11.9) compared to vaccinated but non-preterm children, to 14.5 (95% CI: 5.4, 38.7) compared to children who were neither preterm nor vaccinated. The results of this pilot study suggest clues to the epidemiology and causation of NDD but question the safety of current vaccination practices for preterm infants. Further research is needed to validate and investigate these associations in order to optimize the impact of vaccines on children’s health.

13) Mawson, Anthony R., et al. “Pilot comparative study on the health of vaccinated and unvaccinated 6-to 12-year-old US children.” J. Transl. Sci 3.3 (2017): 1-12. Pilot comparative study on the health of vaccinated and unvaccinated 6-to 12-year-old US children Mawson Anthony Transl. Sci 2017

Vaccinations have prevented millions of infectious illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths among U.S. children, yet the long-term health outcomes of the vaccination schedule remain uncertain. Studies have been recommended by the U.S. Institute of Medicine to address this question. This study aimed

1) to compare vaccinated and unvaccinated children on a broad range of health outcomes, and

2) to determine whether an association found between vaccination and neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), if any, remained significant after adjustment for other measured factors. A cross-sectional study of mothers of children educated at home was carried out in collaboration with homeschool organizations in four U.S. states: Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oregon. Mothers were asked to complete an anonymous online questionnaire on their 6- to 12-year-old biological children with respect to pregnancy-related factors, birth history, vaccinations, physician-diagnosed illnesses, medications used, and health services. NDD, a derived diagnostic measure, was defined as having one or more of the following three closely-related diagnoses: a learning disability, Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder. A convenience sample of 666 children was obtained, of which 261 (39%) were unvaccinated. The vaccinated were less likely than the unvaccinated to have been diagnosed with chickenpox and pertussis, but more likely to have been diagnosed with pneumonia, otitis media, allergies and NDD. After adjustment, vaccination, male gender, and preterm birth remained significantly associated with NDD. However, in a final adjusted model with interaction, vaccination but not preterm birth remained associated with NDD, while the interaction of preterm birth and vaccination was associated with a 6.6-fold increased odds of NDD (95% CI: 2.8, 15.5). In conclusion, vaccinated homeschool children were found to have a higher rate of allergies and NDD than unvaccinated homeschool children. While vaccination remained significantly associated with NDD after controlling for other factors, preterm birth coupled with vaccination was associated with an apparent synergistic increase in the odds of NDD. Further research involving larger, independent samples and stronger research designs is needed to verify and understand these unexpected findings in order to optimize the impact of vaccines on children’s health.

14) New Studies Reveal Vaccine Harm June 06, 2017 By Dr. Mercola

For more:

https://aac.asm.org/content/early/2018/08/14/AAC.01201-18

Identifying vancomycin as an effective antibiotic for killing Borrelia burgdorferi

Xiaoqian Wu, Bijaya Sharma, Samantha Niles, Kathleen O’Connor, Rebecca Schilling, Nicole Matluck, Anthony D’Onofrio, Linden T. Hu, Kim Lewis
DOI: 10.1128/AAC.01201-18

ABSTRACT

Borrelia burgdorferi is the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis. Antibiotic therapy of early acute infection is effective for most patients, but 10-20% go on to develop Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome. The nature of PTLDS remains unknown, but currently approved antibiotics for treatment of Lyme disease do not appear to impact these symptoms after they have developed.

We reason that minimizing the time the pathogen interacts with the host will diminish the probability of developing PTLDS, irrespective of its nature. This calls for an efficient eradication of the pathogen during acute infection. In search of a superior killing antibiotic, we examined approved antibiotics for their ability to kill B. burgdorferi.

Vancomycin proved more effective in killing the pathogen in vitro than ceftriaxone, the standard of care for disseminated B. burgdorferi infection. Both compounds were also the most effective in killing stationary phase cells. This is surprising, given that inhibitors of cell wall biosynthesis are known to only kill growing bacteria. We found that peptidoglycan synthesis continues in stationary cells of B. burgdorferi, explaining this paradox. A combination of vancomycin and gemifloxacin sterilized a stationary phase culture of B. burgdorferi. Examination of the action of antibiotics in immune-deficient SCID mice showed that doxycycline, a standard of care for uncomplicated acute infection, did not clear the pathogen. By contrast, both ceftriaxone and vancomycin cleared the infection. A trial examining early use of more potent antibiotics on development of PTLDS may be warranted.

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**Comment**

I like the initial thinking of the researchers regarding the need to treat acute infections thoroughly to hopefully prohibit later symptoms; however, vancomycin is often used IV which is more expensive and has its own risks.  The oral route does not result in significant levels in the body which seems unwise since Bb can go anywhere in the body and typically does.  https://www.medicinenet.com/vancomycin-oral/article.htm

It’s also active only on gram positive bacteria.  While many claim Bb is gram-negative, it’s actually neither type and appears to be a monster complete with its own category:  http://web.uconn.edu/mcbstaff/graf/Student%20presentations/Bburgdorferi/bburgdorferi.html

Doxycycline is far from a perfect drug but it’s a great front-line drug for many tick borne pathogens.  The problem is it isn’t enough.  Eva Sapi has shown it only works on two forms of Bb, the cell wall and spirochetal forms but actually increases the non cell wall form (she calls them round/cyst forms):  https://www.dovepress.com/evaluation-of-in-vitro-antibiotic-susceptibility-of-different-morpholo-peer-reviewed-article-IDR

However, both metronidazole and tinidazole had far superior action:

Metronidazole led to reduction of spirochetal structures by ~90% and round body forms by ~80%. Tigecycline and tinidazole treatment reduced both spirochetal and round body forms by ~80%–90%.

In terms of qualitative effects, only tinidazole reduced viable organisms by ~90%. Following treatment with the other antibiotics, viable organisms were detected in 70%–85% of the biofilm-like colonies.

LLMD’s almost all use drug combinations due to the complexity of the organism as well as to ward off any potential resistance, and the fact coinfections are often involved.  For examples:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/02/13/lyme-disease-treatment/

Things done in vitro (the lab) often do not play out in vivo (the body).  It will be interesting to watch this develop.