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 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.
The objective of the follow-up study was to determine the long-term outcome of strictly classified cases of neuroborreliosis treated with antibiotics.
The Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, is an extracellular microbe that causes persistent infection despite the development of strong immune responses against the bacterium.
My research focuses on the functions of phagocytic cells, both macrophages and neutrophils, and their interaction with the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. We are exploring the paradox of spirochete persistence in vivo despite rapid and efficient killing by phagocytes in vitro.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
A Young (~2 years) Lab mix, male, came into our program with a "questionable" background. He may have been aggressive toward some children, maybe not.
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.
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.
I stood up and walked out [of my doctor’s office] without saying a word. My way of saying, ‘you’re fired!’
The saga continued…each time I stopped the antibiotics, all of my symptoms returned with a bang. Then after being put back on them I would get better…
Now that I am feeling better every day I just want to run, jump and holler like a child again. I truly believe I was in the presence of an angel…
How to Remove a Tick
