Even more evidence of Lyme disease in the South
Ticks capable of transmitting the bacteria which causes Lyme disease (LD) are now present in almost half of all the counties in the continental United States. Blacklegged (or deer) ticks have been found in 1,420 of the 3,110 counties in the U.S. (or about 46%), according to researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [1]
Lyme disease can cost billions
The cost of Lyme Disease (LD) can be significant for patients with acute LD. The average cost of early LD was $1,310 based on data collected between 1997 and 2000 from patients living in five counties along the eastern shore of Maryland -- an area endemic for LD. [1]
How long has Lyme disease been around?
Ever wonder how long Lyme disease has been around? Well, scientists now know that ticks were present millions of years ago and that the Borrelia spirochete has been infecting humans for thousands of years. We also now know that a single tick can harbor multiple infectious agents and thus have the ability to transmit various diseases, including Lyme disease.
Video Blog: MOST CHILDREN WITH POSITIVE IGM IMMUNOBLOT FOR LYME DISEASE ARE TRULY POSITIVE
Approximately 25% of all patients with Lyme disease (LD) in the U.S. are children, with the highest number of cases occurring among boys ages 5 to 9, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diagnosing children and adolescents with tick-borne illnesses can be particularly challenging for various reasons, one of which includes the nonspecific presentation of LD within this age group.
Researchers identify novel drug combinations to combat Lyme persister cells
There continues to be treatment failures of Lyme disease (LD) in some patients despite the use of various antibiotic therapies. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University recently published findings from in vitro studies that suggest novel treatment approaches, including multiple drug combinations, may be effective in treating lingering symptoms of LD. [1, 2]
Video Blog: Sick for years with Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
A recent study by Weitzner, Visintainer and Wormser, entitled "Comparison of males versus females with culture-confirmed early Lyme disease at presentation and at 11-20 years after diagnosis," concluded that males and females with "culture-confirmed early Lyme disease had similar clinical features, rates of seropositivity and long-term outcomes."
Video Blog: More problems with 2-week course of antibiotics for Lyme disease
There are physicians who continue to advise patients that 2 weeks of antibiotics is sufficient for treating Lyme disease (LD). [1,2] Their position has not changed despite the growing recognition that Lyme disease complications can occur after 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment. These difficulties include chronic neurologic LD, [3] Lyme encephalopathy, [4,5] Post Lyme disease, [6] and Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). [7]
Reversible causes of Dementia and Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Recent high-profile cases in the news remind us of the need to consider Lyme disease as a possible cause of reversible dementia. For the past several years, legendary singer/songwriter Kris Kristofferson was believed to be suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia. However, in the past week we have learned that the musician's memory problems are instead due to undiagnosed and untreated Lyme disease.
ILADS Lyme disease guidelines rank in top 5% of all research articles, as scored by Altmetrics
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society's (ILADS) evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease have ranked in the top 5% of all research articles, as scored by Altmetrics, with more than 107,000 downloads.
Video Blog: Netherlands trial does not support short-term therapy for Lyme disease
A growing number of studies demonstrate that longer-term antibiotic therapy is more effective than short-term treatment for patients with persistent symptoms of Lyme disease. However, an article published in the March 2016 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine suggests just the opposite. I review the author's findings in an All Things Lyme video blog.
