What are Lyme disease co-infections?
When Lyme disease was first discovered in 1975, it was the only known tick-borne illness recognized by clinicians. The disease, which is caused by an infection with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, is transmitted through the bite of a black-legged (I. scapularis) tick.
Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease
The broad range of signs and symptoms of Lyme disease and the varying presentations from person to person make diagnosing the disease challenging. Furthermore, Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete are adept at evading the immune system. The bacterium can travel through the bloodstream, burrow into tissue and remain dormant for days, months, or even years before symptoms arise.
What is Lyme disease?
Despite the growing number of Lyme disease cases in the United States, many individuals still receive conflicting information and wonder: What is Lyme disease, how do you get it, what is the best treatment, and can it be cured?
Lyme disease vaccine for humans: Would you trust it?
It has been 18 years since GlaxoSmithKlein pulled its preventative Lyme disease vaccine for humans, known as LYMErix, from the market. Now, a new vaccine is currently in Stage 2 clinical trials. This vaccine is also derived, in part, from the same OspA bacterial protein found in LYMErix. This begs the question: Will a new Lyme disease vaccine succeed or suffer the same fate as LYMErix?
When do ticks quest, waiting for their next meal?
When ticks are questing, they hold onto leaves, grass and other objects with their third and fourth pair of legs. They hold their front legs outstretched, waiting to climb onto the host as it passes by. But, when do ticks quest?
Lyme disease sleep disorders
Patients with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) may experience sleep disturbances, according to a study by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Researchers found, “PTLDS participants reported significantly worse global sleep and sleep disturbance scores and worse fatigue, functional impact, and more cognitive-affective depressive symptoms compared to poor-sleeping controls.” [1]
Could Lyme disease in children lead to parental flooding?
I have found that in my practice, Lyme disease in children can cause emotional, educational, and social issues, oftentimes with debilitating consequences. Some of the parents have felt overwhelmed by their child’s illness. Could there be parental flooding during conflicts with a child who has Lyme disease?
Can Lyme disease impact pregnancy outcome?
Although studies indicate that most infections have a similar effect on pregnant vs. non-pregnant women, several (such as influenza, hepatitis E, herpes simplex virus infections, malaria) may be more severe in pregnant women. Now, researchers investigate whether Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, the pathogen causing Lyme disease, might impact pregnancy outcome, as well.
Ticks live and thrive in the Alps
There are ticks in them thar hills. It appears that ticks are everywhere, even in the Alps. In the late 1980’s, ticks did not exist or were rare in Italy’s Piedmont region, located at the base of the Alps. But, “In recent years, a marked increase in tick abundance has been observed in several Alpine valleys, together with more frequent reports of Lyme borreliosis,” writes Garcia-Vozmediano and colleagues. [1]
Are doctors reluctant to diagnose Lyme disease?
A study by Tulloch and colleagues, published in the journal BJGP Open, examined the decision-making behavior of general practitioners (GPs) when applying Read codes to non-specific clinical presentations. The authors used Lyme disease as a case example and recruited GPs in the North West of England. [1]