LDA NEWS & UPDATES
February 28, 2022
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This article summarizes a review of literature regarding reported cases of prosthetic joint infections (PJI) caused by Lyme in knee replacements. The goal of the review was to initiate the development of a treatment strategy for these infections.
Investigators found only five cases of Lyme PJI in the literature after searching cases of PJIs secondary to Lyme disease in the published reports of Scopus and PubMed. All cases were from patients residing in the northeastern region of the US. All patients were successfully treated, four with surgical intervention
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and postoperative antibiotics and one with intravenous and oral antibiotics for six weeks, without surgical intervention. Read more.
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Frontiers In Public Health has just published a review article authored by Sam T. Donta, MD, “What We Know and Don’t Know About Lyme Disease.” Donta discusses the challenges faced in regard to Lyme disease over the past 40 years. He presents approaches to the diagnosis and
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treatment of persisting Lyme disease based on the best available science and his own experience as a practicing Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD).
Donta highlights several key questions that have remained after more than 40 years since this disease was first discovered in the US. Read more.
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ACS Nano published a study demonstrating the link between human plasma and innate immunity and pointing at blood as a source of vital antimicrobials. The researchers examined three peptides sourced from the human apolipoprotein B (residues 887–922) and found the peptides to be highly effective against the drug-resistant microbes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Staphylococci. Read more.
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In a FEMS Microbiology Reviews article, researchers give an overview of current and future perspectives for the diagnosis of several species of difficult to detect gram-negative bacteria. Investigators discuss the zoonotic and vector-transmitted bacteria, Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Orientia spp., and Rickettsia
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spp. These bacteria are strongly adapted to the infected host which impedes growth of these bacteria outside the host as well as identification of these pathogens. Because these bacterial species multiply slowly once they are removed from their host, it complicates the laboratory diagnosis of the disease. The slow growth of bacteria further hinders detection and characterization of the
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bacteria, and impacts resistance to antibiotic treatment. Read more.
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In a recent Pharmaceuticals article, researchers continued the search for phytochemicals effective against resistant Lyme disease. The root of Dipsacus fullonum L., or wild teasel, is known as “Xu duan” in Chinese medicine and is recognized for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Investigators in this new study evaluated the activity of wild teasel leaf extract and its fractions against stationary phase B. burgdorferi, in vitro. Read more.
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The FDA has announced plans to postpone a scheduled advisory committee meeting on Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children ages six months to four years. They do not expect to reconvene for a few more months pending additional data required to move forward. In a study evaluating the youngest children, a two-dose
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vaccine series failed to meet “immunobridging” criteria. In a previous statement, Pfizer explained that a third dose “may provide a higher level of protection in this age group.” The ongoing clinical study plans to evaluate a third dose to be given at least two months after the second dose in the two-dose series. Read more.
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Valneva and Pfizer have reported positive Phase 2 data findings for their Lyme disease vaccine candidate, VLA15. According to the news release, findings of the Phase 2 trial show there is value in adding a third dose of vaccine. In the Phase 2 clinical trial, researchers found a stronger immune response in adult participants who received three doses versus two doses of VLA15. The induction of anti-OspA IgG (anti-outer surface protein A immunoglobulin G) antibody titers was found to be higher in participants who received the three-dose primary series compared to those who received the two-dose
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primary series. The three-dose regimen provides the VLA15 second dose at two months and the VLA15 third dose at six months. Read more.
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Parasitology Research published research findings on the effectiveness of the Seresto® (imidacloprid 10% + flumethrin 4.5%) dog collar in preventing transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Effectiveness of the prevention collar was tested on dogs in two studies using naturally infected ticks. Each study consisted of a non-treated control group as well as a group treated with the Seresto® collar. All dogs were serologically tested for the presence of pathogens prior to study implementation. Read more.
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According to an article in the Montclair Local (NJ), opossums may be a mighty tool in the fight against Lyme disease. These marsupials can eat up to 5,000 ticks per season. Primarily an animal of the southern states, their range slowly expanded upward to New Jersey, likely in the 16th century. Distribution has accelerated in recent decades north to Vermont, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and even southern Ontario, all regions that are endemic to Lyme carrying ticks. Read more.
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In this study, investigators evaluated the potential for deer as zooprophylactic or “dilution” hosts for Borrelia burgdorferi in tick vectors. Zooprophylaxis is the diversion of vector bites from the reservoir host to other hosts. Because deer are considered to be incompetent reservoirs of B. burgdorferi in the northeastern US, it was hypothesized that they may serve as “dilution” hosts if larvae of the blacklegged deer tick (Ixodes scapularis) frequently feed on them. Read more.
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In this article, researchers aimed to identify areas of potential suitable habitat for Ixodes pacificus (western blacklegged tick) within Alaska. Although not considered endemic, I. pacificus has been collected recently from domestic animals in Alaska. Questions remain regarding the ability for survival and reproduction if this species is introduced to the high-latitude climate of Alaska. Read more.
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From APA PsychArticles: Journal Article
Trunzo, J. J., Statlender, S. M., Leventhal, J. G., Reece, L., Berenbaum, S., & Bransfield, R. (2022). Lyme and tick-borne diseases: A primer for mental health practitioners. Practice Innovations.
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From World Health Organization
ICD-11 2020 Release
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