LDA NEWS & UPDATES
Jan. 31, 2022
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The Lyme Disease Association is sad to announce the death of Dr. Gregory P. Bach, a decades-long physician treating patients with Lyme & tick-borne diseases. Dr. Bach initially worked/trained with Lyme pioneer, clinician Dr. John Drulle, in New Jersey, and Dr. Bach then opened an office in Pennsylvania.
He and his wife, Deb Bach, long-served the Lyme community. They also wrote a book for kids 4-8 years old, The Bravest Rescue Puppy, a true story about the struggles of a service dog and dedicated the proceeds for Lyme disease research and for K-9 training.
Dr. Bach was not afraid to think outside the box. The LDA awarded Dr. Bach a research grant in 2000: Possibility of the Presence of
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Borrelia Burgdorferi in Human Semen, the results of which he presented at the April 21-23 2001 “14th International Scientific Conference on Lyme Disease & Other Tick-Borne Disorders” in CT. Read more.
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A new writing in Science has been published, "Nervous System Consequences of COVID 19." In it, authors discuss symptoms such as
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frequent headaches, intractable fatigue, sensory disturbances, autonomic dysfunction, depression, psychological impacts, and in severe cases, delusions and paranoia, that may persist for months after initial infection, now called Long COVID.
“According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the inflammation symptoms of COVID impact
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on the brain are similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or post-Lyme disease.” Individuals often experience stigma, employment difficulties, and mental health challenges due to these conditions making diagnostic certainty and therapeutic interventions greatly needed to address this growing public health concern. Read more.
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A new longitudinal, prospective study by Dr. John Aucott, et al. shows that participants with prior Lyme disease (LD) that was diagnosed and treated early were more likely to meet Post Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD) criteria. Read more.
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A new study from Tulane researchers just published in Scientific Reports, demonstrates that remnants of the Lyme disease causing bacteria may contribute to ongoing inflammation in both the central and peripheral nervous systems even when bacteria is no longer viable. Researchers studied the B. burgdorferi (Bb) remnants on nervous system tissue using
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a nonhuman primate model looking at effects on both the frontal cortex and the dorsal root ganglion. Inflammatory markers found in these areas were significantly higher in samples exposed to remnants of B. burgdorferi than in samples exposed to live bacteria. Remnants were also significantly higher in the frontal cortex than the dorsal root ganglion and were found to also
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cause cell death in brain neurons. These impacts can cause serious, long-term consequences. Read more.
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A new peer reviewed article was published in Cureus that evaluated the use of Ivermectin for prophylaxis of COVID-19 in a city-wide study conducted in Itajaí, Brazil. Results showed that regular use of ivermectin as a prophylactic was associated with significantly reduced infection, hospitalization, and mortality rates. Read more.
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The American Society for Microbiology published a new |
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article in which researchers performed a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess safety and efficacy of antibiotics to treat Lyme disease. Studies in Embase and PubMed databases were searched from the date of their establishments until April 22, 2021, a period of 40 years. When applying
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search parameters, a total of 31 randomized controlled trials were generated. Published clinical data from these trials included 2,748 patients and 11 antibiotics that were used in the analysis. Read more.
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In a recent New York City (NYC) study, researchers investigated habitat associations and pathogen status of Gulf Coast Ticks (Amblyomma maculatum). NYC is a newly expanded distribution range for this species. Read more.
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A new University of Copenhagen study reports a previously unknown hiding place for the genes that make bacteria resistant to antibiotics. The prevailing belief that resistant bacteria will lose their resistance genes during a break from antibiotic use has been challenged by the findings of this new study. Read more.
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Longhorned Ticks photo by James Occi, (PhD cand.), LDA Scientific & Professional Advisory Board |
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In a newly published US study, Anaplasma phagocytophilum-human agent variant, has been detected for the first time in the highly invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis). Active tick surveillance was conducted throughout Pennsylvania during the period of May 1 through Sep. 6, 2019. Researchers tested 265 ticks for rickettsial pathogens through PCR testing and 1.5% were positive for A. phagocytophilum. Two were confirmed positive as A. phagocytophilum–human agent variant through sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Read more.
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A new CDC study shows that in comparison with state reporting data, the number of hospitalized patients with Babesia has increased “modestly” over a 7-year period. Researchers performed this analysis in the US during 2010–2016. The National Inpatient Sample database was used to characterize the epidemiology of Babesia–associated admissions, reflecting severe Babesia-related disease. Read more.
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Western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus), photo by Bob Lane, PhD. |
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This review provides an overview of the factors that influence the distribution and abundance of the western blacklegged tick (Ixodes pacificus) and the dynamics of tickborne pathogen transmission in the western region of the US. The review sheds light on the the gaps in knowledge and indicates that research is required gain a better understanding of tick species and their pathogens in the western US. Read more.
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Delegate David A. Reid (D-House District 32) introduced Virginia HB 850, a Lyme disease bill, in House referral committee pending as of Jan 12, 2022. The bill pertains to Lyme disease signage, instructional resources, and materials. It requires the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to develop and post signage in each state and interstate park that addressees the appropriate steps visitors can take to prevent tick bites, identify Lyme disease, and learn where to seek treatment for Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. The bill requires the Department to first install signage in areas that are the most susceptible to Lyme disease. Last year, Delegate Reid invited LDA to meet with him and make suggestions for a Lyme bill. Read more.
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This review summarizes the health burden of human babesiosis emerging on a global scale. Authors discuss tools used to monitor the frequency and location of disease as well as demographics and modes of transmission of human babesiosis. Authors further describe the causative Babesia spp. in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia and
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present clinical features associated with infections. Read more.
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A recent article published by The Wilderness Medical Society describes evidence-based guidelines for the prevention and management of tick-borne illness. These guidelines were developed |
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on a grade system by an expert panel designated by The Wilderness Medical Society. Panelists were selected based on level of clinical interest or research experience. Evidence for each recommendation was collected by searching peer reviewed articles identified through PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Additional articles were reviewed manually by searching the references section of the acquired articles, reviewing existing practice guidelines, and review of CDC references. Read more.
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