Author Archives for jen

Tick on Thumb

Ticks are on the move in Saskatchewan

July 21, 2012 9:25 am Published by 1 Comment

Ticks became active earlier this year in Saskatchewan because of the warm spring weather according to entomologist, Phil Curry. But he says it is hard to tell if the population is up.


Songbirds contribute to spread of Lyme disease

July 21, 2012 9:11 am Published by Comments Off on Songbirds contribute to spread of Lyme disease

GUELPH — John Scott has found ticks infected with the Lyme disease bacterium on songbirds, blowing the lid off the notion that the devastating disease can be contained and controlled within a geographic boundary.


Why are crippling Lyme disease cases being misdiagnosed?

July 21, 2012 9:02 am Published by Comments Off on Why are crippling Lyme disease cases being misdiagnosed?

David Leggett used to love the outdoors. He was a healthy, active, family man who enjoyed camping trips with his wife and two daughters.


Metagenomic Profile of the Bacterial Communities Associated with Ixodes ricinus Ticks.

October 27, 2011 12:36 am Published by Comments Off on Metagenomic Profile of the Bacterial Communities Associated with Ixodes ricinus Ticks.

Assessment of the microbial diversity residing in arthropod vectors of medical importance is crucial for monitoring endemic infections, for surveillance of newly emerging zoonotic pathogens, and for unraveling the associated bacteria within its host.


Human to human transmission of tick-borne disease

October 25, 2011 10:39 pm Published by Comments Off on Human to human transmission of tick-borne disease

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is an emerging tick-borne disease in China. A cluster of cases among health care workers and family members following exposure to a patient with fulminant disease consistent with HGA prompted investigation.


5-year follow-up study of patients with neuroborreliosis.

October 25, 2011 10:36 pm Published by Comments Off on 5-year follow-up study of patients with neuroborreliosis.

The objective of the follow-up study was to determine the long-term outcome of strictly classified cases of neuroborreliosis treated with antibiotics.


Study supports chronic Lyme

October 25, 2011 10:34 pm Published by Comments Off on Study supports chronic Lyme

The Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, is an extracellular microbe that causes persistent infection despite the development of strong immune responses against the bacterium.


Experts identify molecular players in tick-borne illness

October 25, 2011 10:18 pm Published by Comments Off on Experts identify molecular players in tick-borne illness

University scientists have made a key advance in understanding the proteins and mechanisms involved in the spread of Lyme disease, a finding that could lead to a vaccine against the tick-borne illness that affects thousands of people each year.


The Klempner Article

October 25, 2011 10:13 pm Published by Comments Off on The Klempner Article

The recent article in the NEJM, “Two Controlled Trials of Antibiotic Treatment in Patients with Persistent Symptoms and a History of Lyme Disease,” by Klempner, et. al., provides some interesting data, but the proper interpretation of this data is of little relevance to both clinical practice and guidelines related to chronic Lyme disease.


Insurers hit on Lyme disease

October 25, 2011 10:09 pm Published by Comments Off on Insurers hit on Lyme disease

Alan Stone of Chelmsford, who suffers from Lyme disease along with his daughter Angela, 14, says insurance companies are afraid of the high expenses that can come from long-term treatments.


Lyme disease of the brainstem

October 25, 2011 10:07 pm Published by Comments Off on Lyme disease of the brainstem

Lyme disease is a multisystem infectious disease caused by the tick-borne spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement typically causes local inflammation, most commonly meningitis, but rarely parenchymal brain involvement.


Detection of Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Bartonella in Carios kelleyi (Acari: Argasidae)

October 25, 2011 10:02 pm Published by Comments Off on Detection of Rickettsia, Borrelia, and Bartonella in Carios kelleyi (Acari: Argasidae)

Carios kelleyi (Colley & Kohls 1941), a tick associated with bats and bat habitats, has been reported to feed on humans, but there is little published data regarding the presence of vector-borne pathogens in these ticks.


Global warming may spread tick-borne disease

October 24, 2011 4:48 pm Published by Comments Off on Global warming may spread tick-borne disease

The brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) rarely bites people, far preferring the taste of dog. But global warming could be changing that, exposing people to dangerous diseases as a result.


Experts warn pet owners of impact of climate change

October 24, 2011 4:36 pm Published by Comments Off on Experts warn pet owners of impact of climate change

As world leaders gather in Copenhagen at the United Nations Climate Change conference, animal health experts warn of the potential impact of global warming on family pets.