LDA NEWS & UPDATES
June 2021
|
|
|
Elizabeth L. Maloney, MD, reviews the US trial evidence on EM rashes, problems of the IDSA recommendations considering that evidence, and provides evidence-based patient-centered strategies for managing patients with EM. “The EM rash is the hallmark finding of early disease,” along with other symptoms. “In light of the physical and financial costs, identifying and promoting highly effective therapeutic interventions for US patients with erythema migrans (EM) rashes that return them to their pre-infection health status should be a priority.” Read more.
|
|
Data from a survey of respondents with self-reported tick bite encounters who concurrently reported a clinical or serological Lyme disease (LD) diagnosis from non-endemic states for Lyme disease was published in the journal Healthcare, June 21, 2021. Focusing on Texas, which, due to its large size,
|
|
diverse climate, and ecological conditions, reflects environments that promote ticks, the scientists compared data from the self-reported LD patients with county-level confirmed cases of LD from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). They also used data from serological canine reports. CDC has characterized
|
|
states as low-incidence or non-endemic for Lyme, including Texas. Read more.
|
|
Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5-D) held a press conference on June 10, 2021, in West Milford, NJ, to discuss Lyme disease and three bi-partisan bills currently introduced into the House of Representatives. He spoke about the seriousness of the disease in NJ, and in his district. Rep. Gottheimer reinforced the need for funds to help with diagnostics and new treatments, as well as help needed for the patients suffering from persistent symptoms.
LDA President, Pat Smith, was asked to speak at the press conference where she discussed her personal, family involvement with Lyme and tick-borne disease and how the LDA has been active in Washington fighting for help for patients. Read more.
|
|
Rep. Josh Gottheimer & Pat Smith, LDA President, at Press Conference, West Milford, NJ
|
|
Increased cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been reported in the United States after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) since April 2021, particularly in adolescents and young adults. These rates for ages 16-24 following a second dose are above what is expected. Myocarditis or pericarditis has now been verified in 226 people ages 30 and younger who have received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and Federal Health Officials are investigating reports of approximately 250 more cases. Read more.
|
|
|
|
A new protocol for patients suffering from Long Haul COVID-19 Syndrome (LHCS) has been developed in a collaboration led by Dr. Mobeen Syed (“Dr. Been”), Dr. Ram Yogendra, Dr. Bruce Patterson, Dr. Tina Peers, and the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC). The protocol, I-RECOVER, is based on the group’s experiences using certain therapies with a focus on the drug ivermectin. The group observed “consistent, sustained, and often profound” clinical responses with the I-RECOVER protocol. Read more.
|
|
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has just released the 2019 final Lyme disease reported U.S. case numbers–34,945. CDC reported that cases were ~4% more than in 2018, and the geographic distribution of areas with a high incidence of Lyme appears to be expanding based on data reported to National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS). The number of counties with an incidence of ≥10 confirmed cases per 100,000 persons increased from 324 in 2008 to 432 in 2019. Read more.
|
|
|
The team of leading investigators, Dr. Brian Fallon, Columbia University; John Aucott, Johns
|
|
Hopkins; and Roberta Dibiasi, Children’s National Hospital in DC, want to generate as many ideas as possible and to hear directly from the front lines of clinical experience. They invite the public, community clinicians, and other stakeholders to submit their ideas on treatment approaches to spark off development of a pilot study and be included in clinical trials. Read more.
|
|
To submit your suggestions for treatments, please go to lymectn.org and click on “Treatment Research Idea Hub”.
|
|
The Lyme Disease Association, Inc. (LDA) has been designated as a national charity included in the 2021 Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Charity List. CFC is part of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Each year, federal employees are
|
|
provided with lists of approved charities for their workplace giving through the CFC. The LDA has met the requirements and been a part of CFC for 16 years running. LDA’s administrative and fundraising costs were determined to be only 4.3%, meaning 95.7 % went directly to programs. Read more.
|
|
|
|
North Central Integrated Pest Management Center (IPM) has issued a new pest alert focusing on the Asian longhorned tick (ALT), which includes details about the tick’s life cycle, identification, and management options. Females can reproduce without mating with a male, causing a threat to livestock due to large-scale infestations on one animal leading to stress, blood loss and death. According to studies, ALT may spread disease such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other tick-borne illnesses, as they feed on multiple hosts throughout their lives. Read more.
|
|
According to a June 22 press release from the Patient-Centered Care Advocacy Group (PCCAG), in response to a complaint filed by PCCAG President Bruce Fries, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has removed the publication, “Ten Facts You Should Know About Lyme Disease,” from its website. Read more.
|
|
|
Donate to LDA, No Cost to You!
Shop using these links and LDA gets a portion of the sales!
You can donate to LDA without costing you anything. Shop through smile.amazon.com, and a portion of the sales will then go to LDA for its programs! To sign up for AmazonSmile and have LDA receive a portion of sales click here.
You can also register to become an igive member through igive.com which includes 2326 online stores to shop from. By shopping at the store through igive.com website, LDA will receive a donation. Thank you!
|
|
888-366-6611 Toll Free Info Line
|
|
|
|
|
|
|