Articles tagged with Lyme Disease
A study published in PLOS ONE used citizen scientist data to track exposure to tick-borne diseases, identifying 83 counties with previously unknown disease-carrying bacteria. The research highlights the importance of early detection and understanding how diseases spread.
Researchers at The University of Montana are investigating the bacterium that causes Lyme disease using $449,998 in NIH funding. They will explore the regulatory mechanisms of Borrelia burgdorferi to improve diagnostic and treatment strategies for the disease.
Researchers found exponential growth in pediatric Lyme disease cases from 2003 to 2013 in western Pennsylvania, shifting from rural to non-rural areas. Children with Lyme disease were more likely to be seen by primary care providers for late-stage symptoms such as arthritis.
A new environmental monitoring project has found increased numbers of deer ticks carrying Lyme disease in Southern Indiana. The IU Environmental Resilience Institute and Prepared for Environmental Change Grand Challenge launched a project to analyze ticks and mosquitoes for diseases that are dangerous to people.
A University of Maryland researcher has discovered a protein produced by the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, allowing it to evade the body's first immune response. This breakthrough understanding has significant implications for treating tick-borne diseases like Lyme disease, which is increasingly chronic and prevalent.
Researchers have identified the crucial role of peptide uptake in Borrelia burgdorferi's viability and ability to infect mammals. Blocking this process could lead to novel therapeutic interventions for Lyme disease.
Researchers recruited 61 PTLDS patients and 26 healthy controls for a comprehensive clinical and laboratory evaluation. They found significant differences in questionnaire results, with PTLDS patients reporting severe fatigue, pain, cognitive complaints, and sleep difficulties.
A comprehensive review of 30 years' worth of research concludes that lone star ticks do not transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, but can transmit other human illnesses such as ehrlichiosis and red meat allergy. The evidence, based on over 60 published articles, shows that lone star tick saliva is a barrier against Lyme bacteria.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE and American Journal of Pathology suggests that Lyme bacteria can survive a 28-day course of antibiotics for months after infection. The study found living B. burgdorferi spirochetes in ticks and multiple organs of primates treated with doxycycline, as well as persistent infections in some subjects.
Researchers say new diagnostic methods can accurately detect Lyme disease earlier, improving patient outcomes and avoiding severe long-term health problems. The improved tests are less susceptible to false-positive or false-negative results associated with current antibody-based tests.
Researchers at UC are studying tick populations to develop strategies for preventing tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. The study focuses on the distribution of four species in southwest Ohio, their ability to withstand winters, and the diseases they carry.
A new test has been developed to differentiate between Lyme disease and Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) with an accuracy of up to 98 percent. This breakthrough offers improved early detection and diagnosis for Lyme disease, a vector-borne illness affecting the US.
A new species of bacteria, Borrelia mayonii, that causes Lyme disease has a similar transmission risk as previously known bacteria. Prompt removal of ticks after a bite can help prevent its transmission, aligning with existing guidelines.
Research found that children with early Lyme symptoms resolve rapidly, usually within one to three days, regardless of treatment timing. However, those with knee pain and swelling take longer to recover, typically between two to four weeks. The study suggests that patients with late symptoms should seek medical attention promptly for p...
Despite gaps in scientific understanding, Lyme disease researchers have identified key areas of agreement and promising strategies for controlling the disease. These include reducing deer populations to impact tick abundance and using acaricides to target host animals.
A periodic time-delayed model of Lyme disease predicts its spread in North America and Canada, incorporating seasonality and climate factors. The model suggests that reducing tick recruitment rates can help eliminate the disease.
A new Yale study finds that Lyme disease causes people in the Northeast to forego 1 billion fewer trips per year, costing them about 9 hours of outdoor time annually. The total cost is estimated to be between $2.8 and $5 billion due to the large number of affected individuals.
Lyme disease affects approximately 329,000 people annually in the US, with a focus on understanding how Borrelia burgdorferi adapts to survive in tick vectors and mammalian hosts. Dr. Seshu's research seeks to find better solutions to prevent the spread of Lyme disease.
The new biobank aims to alleviate the lack of samples for researchers studying Lyme disease. With over 250 individual participants, it offers a unique opportunity to explore potential new diagnostics against various bacterial strains.
A USGS-led study found that high temperatures and lower humidity kill off ticks that transmit Lyme disease, making it less common in the South. The researchers discovered that southern black-legged ticks tend to stay hidden under leaves to retain moisture, increasing their survival rates.
A new study has confirmed the presence of ticks carrying Lyme disease in nine eastern national parks, highlighting the need for visitors to take precautions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Park Service collected ticks along hiking trails and found all nine parks had infected blacklegged ticks.
Researchers have developed a live-cell-imaging-based system that reveals the molecular and biomechanical mechanisms of Lyme disease bacteria's ability to spread through blood vessels. The study found that BBK32 plays a crucial role in stabilizing bacterial-vascular interactions, and bacteria use bungee-cord-like tethers to move along e...
Researchers reviewed various methods for preventing bites from blacklegged ticks, which transmit Lyme disease. Effective measures include wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent, and controlling tick hosts such as deer and small mammals.
The Wilke Cohen Lyme Disease Project has received a $3 million pledge from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation to support its research into potential biomarkers for Lyme disease. The project aims to develop more effective diagnostics and treatments, building on initial discoveries made by ISB researchers.
Researchers at George Mason University have successfully developed an early-detection urine test for Lyme disease that accurately identifies the bacteria protein, even in patients with active cases. The test has shown promise for diagnosing other diseases, including Ebola, malaria, and tuberculosis.
A new study has identified four symptoms that predict septic arthritis in children with swollen, painful knees. The study found that patients with these characteristics were more likely to have septic arthritis than Lyme disease.
A new study suggests that statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol, can reduce the burden of infection in Lyme disease reservoir hosts, potentially leading to a decrease in human cases. Researchers hope to modify statins to primarily affect the survival of Lyme disease bacteria.
The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies will conduct a five-year study in Dutchess County, New York, to reduce Lyme disease risk. Researchers will target feeding and questing ticks using commercially available products, aiming to make neighborhoods safer.
The Center for Infection and Immunity at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health is studying tick-borne bacteria and viruses to better understand their role in human disease. The $1.9M grant will support research into potential pathogens, such as Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease.
A national patient-powered registry, MyLymeData, has enrolled over 3,000 patients to accelerate research for chronic Lyme disease. Big data tools can help identify treatment responses and subgroup analysis, leading to a better understanding of the disease.
A distinctive gene signature discovered in white blood cells of patients infected with Lyme disease could lead to a new way of diagnosing the tick-borne illness. The study found that this signature persisted even after antibiotic treatment, suggesting potential long-term symptoms.
Researchers have developed a new experimental test that can detect signs of Lyme disease near the time of infection. The approach uses vesicle-like particles derived from the cell wall of the bacteria to provide a unique indicator of infection.
The deer tick's genome provides insights into its ability to transmit diseases like Lyme disease and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. The sequence revealed proteins involved in transmission, saliva composition, and blood digestion mechanisms, offering potential targets for control programs.
Researchers have deciphered the genome of the blacklegged tick, revealing secrets to its success as a disease vector. The study identifies genes and protein families that shed light on why ticks excel at spreading pathogens, providing potential targets for new interventions.
The tick genome provides valuable biological resources for controlling ticks and understanding disease transmission. Researchers identified proteins involved in the interactions between deer ticks and pathogens, offering insights into developing strategies to halt tick-borne diseases.
Researchers have discovered a new bacterial species, B. mayonii, that causes Lyme disease in people in the upper Midwestern US. The species was previously unknown and has been identified through PCR testing of patient samples.
Lyme disease is transmitted by the blacklegged tick and western blacklegged tick, with a significant expansion of their range across the US. The study found that over 45% of counties have established populations of these ticks, highlighting areas of high risk for human exposure.
Researchers found Ixodes affinis parasitizing five songbird species in southeastern Virginia, increasing the tick's range and potential for Lyme disease transmission. The study suggests that having two competent tick vectors may lead to an increase in Lyme disease cases.
A literature review suggests that spontaneous knee effusion, also known as 'water on the knee,' can be an early symptom of Lyme disease, which can progress to more severe symptoms if left untreated. Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are crucial in preventing long-term damage.
Researchers discovered ticks carrying Borrelia burgdorferi parasite in Richmond Park and Bushy Park, posing a risk to visitors. The team advises taking preventative measures to avoid tick bites, especially in areas with frequent parkland usage.
Researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found Ixodes ricinus ticks in Richmond and Bushy parks, carrying the Borrelia burgdorferi bacterial pathogen that causes Lyme disease. The risk is low but caution is advised as most humans are infected through nymphs' bites.
Canadians with nonspecific symptoms like joint pain and fatigue may receive false-positive results from commercial US laboratories, as many use unproven testing methods. Tests at the National Microbiology Laboratory of Canada using CDC guidelines are more accurate.
Scientists at TGen are developing an accurate diagnostic test for Lyme disease using targeted DNA sequencing, which can pinpoint the presence and severity of tick-borne Lyme disease. The new test aims to provide actionable information for physicians and improve treatment outcomes.
Ticks carrying Lyme disease are increasingly found in new areas of the US, with a study suggesting southern ticks migrated northwards. Understanding these movements is crucial to identifying factors driving population shifts and reducing public health risks.
Researchers Nira Pollock and John Branda aim to develop a novel urine test for early Lyme disease using a promising biomarker approach. The $100,000 grant will support their research on detecting Borrelia burgdorferi in urine samples from patients with early Lyme disease.
Researchers at Northeastern University have identified dormant persister cells in Borrelia burgdorferi that evade antibiotics. Two potential methods to eradicate the infection were also found, including pulse-dosing an antibiotic to eliminate persisters.
A long-term study on ticks in southern Indiana reveals shifting migration patterns and increased disease risks. The region was previously found to be an oasis free from Lyme disease, but new tick species and pathogens are entering the area, posing a threat to public health.
Climate warming is leading to earlier spring feeding by blacklegged ticks, which can carry Lyme disease and other pathogens. This shift in tick activity highlights the need for public education campaigns to reduce the number of people affected by tick-borne illnesses.
A new study published in the American Journal of Pathology shows that inflammation plays a causal role in Lyme disease's neurologic changes, and anti-inflammatory drugs like dexamethasone may prevent these effects. Researchers found that dexamethasone prevented many neuropathologic effects, while meloxicam was generally ineffective.
A teenager returned from a discotheque with classic stroke symptoms was actually diagnosed with Lyme disease due to elevated white blood cell counts in spinal fluid. The patient improved immediately after antibacterial and antiviral treatment began.
A study published in PLOS ONE identified wood rats and western gray squirrels as hosts for Lyme disease-causing bacteria in California, but birds were found to be more important than previously recognized. The study also discovered a new subtype of Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia bissettii, in birds for the first time in California.
Ticks that spread disease are emerging earlier and expanding their geographic range due to warmer spring temperatures. This shift may lead to increased risk of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, with the potential for an earlier start date for Awareness Month.
A new study found that Lyme disease costs the US healthcare system between $712 million and $1.3 billion a year, with patients experiencing persistent symptoms after completing antibiotics. The condition, also known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, affects an estimated 240,000 to 440,000 people each year.
Research finds mice infected with Lyme disease pathogen facilitate spread of babesiosis, a lesser-known emerging disease. Lyme disease and babesiosis share symptoms, but babesiosis is potentially fatal in immunocompromised patients and poses additional public health threat.
Scientists have discovered that animals, including ticks and mites, have stolen bacterial toxin genes to defend against microbial infections. The transfer of these genes has been found in various animal species, including the deer tick, which can transmit Lyme disease.
Researchers have developed a new test that can analyze thousands of FDA-approved drugs to find effective treatments for Lyme disease. The test, called the SYBR Green I/PI assay, enables the measurement of bacterial viability after drug treatment, making it more accurate and efficient than existing methods.
A new study finds that small, fast-living mammals and high population densities can increase the risk of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease and anaplasmosis. Research suggests that animals with fast life history features and large populations are more effective at transmitting pathogens to ticks.
Researchers have discovered Ixodes scapularis ticks in North Dakota, which vector Lyme disease, and are concerned about the potential spread of other tick-borne diseases. The ticks were found in six counties with established populations, raising concerns for public health.
A new study finds that ticks carrying Lyme disease are active throughout the year in Northwest California, posing a constant threat. The researchers' findings suggest that residents should take precautions year-round and know the symptoms of the disease.
A 13-year study in Connecticut found that reducing deer populations by ≥87% results in a significant reduction in tick abundance and resident-reported cases of Lyme disease. This suggests that managing deer populations could be an effective strategy for reducing human interactions with infected ticks.