A Tribute to Dr. Willy Burgdorfer, discoverer of Lyme spirochete
Some men are born great. Some achieve greatness. And some have greatness thrust upon them. Dr. Willy Burgdorfer at inception was a very great man and by his diligent labors achieved further greatness.
Canada’s Bill C-442 hopes to create dialogue and federal plan for Lyme disease
In an article entitled "Bill C-442: Shining the limelight on the Lyme-like?" published last week in the Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology, two Canadian physicians express both their support and reservations regarding the bill that has already passed the House of Commons. An Act Respecting a Federal Framework on Lyme Disease, introduced by Member of Parliament Elizabeth May, now awaits a second reading in the Senate. In the interim, Dr. Kevin Laupland and Dr. Louis Valiquette have shared some concerns, which are worthy of addressing.
"While we will hope for improvements in the diagnosis of Lyme disease, we are skeptical that major advances will arise as a result of Bill C-442. Accordingly, we believe that a sizable cohort of patients with chronic Lyme-like disease will remain," writes the authors.
When Patients Know More Than Doctors
I recently read an article in The New York Times that really spoke to me and would apply to so many of my own patients. “When the Diagnosis Is Rare, Parents May Know More Than Professionals,” by David Wheeler, highlights a family who struggles to find answers to their young child’s medical condition. For two years, the parents researched her symptoms, pursued different physicians and became her strongest advocate. Eventually, their child was diagnosed with a rare disease, Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD).
Where is the FDA test for relapsing fever spirochete, Borrelia miyamotoi?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is pushing to regulate (or eliminate altogether) laboratory developed tests (LDT). [1] Diagnostic tests for Lyme disease will be targeted, initially, as the FDA begins to phase in its oversight.
Lyme disease: One size does not fit all
A read of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) 2006 evidence-based guidelines would lead you to believe that for Lyme disease one size fits all. All you need is a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline for a tick bite; a single 10 to 21 days of antibiotics for Lyme disease; but no retreatment.
Is your fibromyalgia patient a candidate for Lyme disease treatment?
If you have been disappointed to find your fibromyalgia patient is not getting better, you may conclude your patient is a candidate for Lyme disease treatment. The medical conditions share similar symptoms, making an accurate diagnosis challenging.
Obama plan to fight antibiotic resistance may limit treatment for Lyme disease
President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order on Thursday, September 18th which creates a task force to address concerns over the spread of drug-resistant bacteria due to an overuse of antibiotics.
Congratulations Congressman Chris Gibson, NY 19th CD, on passage of the Lyme disease bill
The house bill, Amended HR 4701, titled "To provide for scientific frameworks with respect to vector borne diseases," September 9, 2014 passed the evening of September 9, 2014.
Click on read more for a link to the C-span coverage.
Lyme disease expected to be epidemic in Ohio
Have you seen any evidence that Lyme disease is becoming epidemic in your state?
Lyme disease patients may struggle with depression
There is growing evidence that Lyme disease can lead to psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety disorders and depression. There have been cases where chronically ill Lyme disease patients were suicidal. But, whether psychiatric manifestations, including suicidal ideation, are due to an infection or the result of struggling with a debilitating condition is unknown.
