LabCorp to deny physicians access to western blot tests for Lyme disease
Labcorp will not offer a western blot test for individuals unless they are positive or equivocal for the Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) or Immunoflorescense (IFA) screening tests for Lyme disease as of August 11, 2014.[1]
Senator Schumer joins the Lyme disease community in addressing oral antibiotic shortages
Senator Schumer addressed the shortage of doxycycline in his August 12, 2004 press conference in the Hudson Valley, New York. His comment included the following
“LOOMING SHORTAGE OF DOXYCYCLINE, AN ANTIBIOTIC USED TO TREAT LYME DISEASE, IS SENDING PRICE OF DRUG SKYROCKETING DURING ONE OF WORST LYME SEASONS – SENATOR CALLS ON FDA TO INVESTIGATE CURRENT SITUATION, PROACTIVELY ADDRESS DRUG SHORTAGES”
“Lyme Disease Is Up Throughout The Hudson Valley & Around The State; Already More Cases This Year Than in 2013 & Projected to Be More than in 2012 – ...
ILADS reminds parents of the ABCs of Lyme and other Tick-borne Infections
“Many people never see a tick as it’s biting; and, many people won’t exhibit what has become known as the bull’s eye rash,” said Dr. Cameron. “However, there are other signs parents should look for including fatigue, headaches, poor concentration and joint pain,” said Dr. Cameron."
Why ILADS 2014 treatment guidelines are important
ILADS evidence base treatment guidelines identified two-failed treatment protocols, a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline and a single 10 to 21 day course of antibiotic using a GRADE assessment. ILADS evidence based treatment guideline published recommendations to improve these two-failed treatment protocols.
Loss of libido and Lyme disease
The list of complication of Lyme disease just got longer in the June 2014 issue of the International Neurologic Journal. [1] A cross-sectional pilot study carried out in the Breakspear neuroscience department in the United Kingdom reported that 50% of 16 serologically positive Lyme disease patients had a loss of libido compared to 0% in 18 controls.
Babesia becomes the Number 2 tick-borne illness behind Lyme disease in the Hudson Valley
Babesia has become the second most common pathogen tick-borne disease in a recent Dutchess County, NY, USA trial. Nearly 14% of questing nymphal ticks were infected with B. microti, the cause of Babesia. Over 29% of the same ticks were infected with B. burgdorferi, the cause of Lyme disease. Only 8.5% of these ticks were infected with HGE, the cause of Anaplasmosis.
A new DNA sequence test for Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia miyamotoi Infections
Borrelia miyamotoi (B. miyamotoi) had been described as another tick borne pathogen in the Southern New England US. Krause et al. reported that B. miyamotoi can cause illness and is treatable. Yet, Krause et al also reported that traditional tests for Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) cannot be used to diagnose B. miyamotoi (B. Miyamotoi).
