Articles tagged with Lyme Disease
A study has identified two subsets of Lyme disease in patients with acute infection, characterized by varying levels of immune system molecules. Patients with high mediator levels experience more severe symptoms and are at higher risk of developing post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome. The findings may help doctors predict which patien...
A new study by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that strain-specific Lyme disease immunity can last six to nine years. This finding has significant implications for vaccine design, as a single vaccine could potentially cover multiple strains of the disease-causing bacteria, substantially reducing the risk of infection.
White-footed mice are 'super hosts' that transfer disease-causing pathogens to feeding ticks, yet appear indifferent to larval tick infestations. Research found that heavy tick burdens did not reduce mouse survival or overwintering success, and may even enhance their chances of survival.
Researchers have discovered two bacteria, Borrelia miyamotoi and Borrelia burgdorferi, in nearly every park sampled throughout the region. The findings raise questions about the prevalence of B. miyamotoi infections in California residents and highlight the need for improved diagnostic tests.
Researchers used live ticks to detect Lyme disease bacteria in people with persistent symptoms after antibiotic treatment, but found only two positive results. The study suggests that larger studies are needed to determine the significance of these findings.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to connect Lyme disease rash appearance with bacterial behavior. The model reveals that bacteria spread outward from the center of the rash, affecting immune response and treatment outcomes.
Researchers develop a reaction-diffusion model to account for seasonal patterns in Lyme disease transmission, taking into consideration factors such as temperature, rainfall, and resource availability. The model aims to drive the basic reproduction number R0 below 1 to eradicate the disease.
Researchers discovered a genetic variation that predisposes mice to severe, inflammatory arthritis. The study implicates a lysosomal enzyme as a contributor to the development of the disease.
New insights into how Lyme disease and syphilis spirochetes move through and into organs reveal a key mechanism driving their invasiveness. The findings provide a novel biophysical model that could form the basis for targeting these bacteria's invasion capabilities.
Research by the University of Maryland found that timber rattlesnakes remove 2,500-4,500 ticks from Eastern forest sites annually, potentially reducing Lyme disease incidence. The study highlights the importance of conserving all species, including those often disliked.
Research suggests that timber rattlesnakes can remove thousands of infected ticks from ecosystems each year, potentially regulating Lyme disease prevalence. Fungi, meanwhile, display unique relationships with other species, including decomposition, mutual benefits, and parasitic behaviors.
Researchers link black-legged ticks to an increased risk of Powassan encephalitis, a rare but serious illness with a 10-15% fatality rate. The study found deer tick virus in over 13,500 ticks, with infected adult ticks concentrated east of the Hudson River.
Researchers at UTHealth have developed a new technique to test 15 times more bacterial genes than previous years, uncovering potential roles in infection. The study could lead to vaccine candidates, better diagnostic tools, and targeted drug intervention.
New research reveals that tick-borne diseases extend 'beyond Lyme' in the Southeastern United States, where lone star ticks spread ehrlichiosis and spotted fever rickettsiosis. Experts advise saving the tick that bites you to identify potential diseases.
A statistical review of four studies on Lyme disease retreatment suggests flaws in design, analysis, and interpretation that challenge the evidence against treatment. The review found inconclusive results and potential benefits from antibiotics, leading experts to question the guidelines' recommendation against retreatment.
Researchers found that antibiotic treatment reduced the number of live spirochetes in infected mice but left behind fluorescent bacterial debris. This debris triggered an inflammatory immune response and may contribute to arthritis-like symptoms in some patients.
UC Santa Cruz researchers suggest that Lyme disease has increased across northeastern and midwestern US over past three decades, contrary to stabilizing deer populations. Red fox declines are attributed to coyote growth, leading to smaller animal populations that serve as ticks' hosts.
Tick populations are spreading across Canada due to changing temperatures, posing a significant risk of Lyme disease. The study predicts that 80% of eastern Canada will be at risk by 2020, with warmer temperatures allowing ticks to colonize new areas.
A new map highlights well-defined areas of high Lyme disease risk in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest, while low risk is found in the South. The study, which collected data from over 300 sites, emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis and prevention to mitigate the spread of the disease.
A new study assesses the potential reasons for the continued lack of success in preventing and controlling Lyme disease in the US Northeast. The study identifies critical areas where additional knowledge is needed to improve prevention and control strategies, including host infestation rates, habitat diversity, and human behavior.
A new commentary in The FASEB Journal emphasizes the importance of using only FDA-approved diagnostic tools for chronic Lyme disease. Patients should demand proof of safety and benefit before beginning treatment, as some treatments have little scientific evidence to support their effectiveness.
A new study reveals Lyme disease ticks are more adaptable to new habitats than previously thought. Researchers found that deer ticks and the Lyme disease bacteria they host thrive in forests, farms, and prairies of Central Illinois, with a high prevalence of infected ticks on prairie voles.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered that Lyme disease bacteria accumulate in lymph nodes, triggering a strong immune response but one that is not effective against the infection. The study suggests that B. burgdorferi has developed a novel strategy to subvert the immune system, allowing it to both provoke and evade an effective response.
A new study found that removing Western fence lizards led to a decrease in tick density and subsequently reduced Lyme disease risk. However, the impact on adult ticks is unclear and requires further research.
Lyme arthritis can be treated successfully with oral antibiotics, but early diagnosis is crucial to prevent joint damage. Patients who develop the condition should look for symptoms like aching joints, fever, and rash, and report them to their physician.
A study published in Nature found that species loss leads to increases in disease-causing organisms, increasing the risk of infectious diseases such as Lyme disease and hantavirus. The researchers argue that preserving natural habitats is crucial to preventing this effect.
Lyme disease expert Dr. Richard Ostfeld assesses the ecological factors contributing to its expanding range, shifting focus from deer to white-footed mice as critical hosts for black-legged ticks. He recommends steps to prevent Lyme disease expansion and highlights links between land-use planning and biodiversity loss.
Scientists supported by the National Institutes of Health have determined the complete genetic blueprints for 13 different strains of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The new genetic data will help develop improved ways to diagnose and treat the disease.
A survey of Connecticut primary care physicians found that only 2.1% diagnose and treat patients with chronic Lyme disease, contradicting claims by 'Lyme literate' groups. The study's findings suggest that chronic Lyme disease may not be as common as previously thought.
A four-year survey confirms the presence of ticks carrying Lyme disease in Cook, Lake, DuPage, and Piatt Counties, with higher numbers found along the Des Plaines River corridor. The study highlights the importance of preventive measures to avoid tick bites.
New research suggests that biodiversity loss and habitat destruction can increase the incidence and distribution of infectious diseases in humans. Studies show that extinction of plant and animal species can lead to a rise in new diseases, such as West Nile Virus, and even re-emergence of diseases thought to be in decline, like malaria.
Yale researchers have discovered that a protein found in tick saliva helps protect mice from developing Lyme disease. The findings may spur development of a new vaccine against infection from Lyme disease, which is spread through tick bites.
Scientists at the University of Connecticut Health Center have visualized the movement of Lyme disease-causing microbes within feeding ticks. The study found that these microbes undergo a biphasic mode of dissemination, first forming networks of nonmotile organisms and then becoming motile invasive organisms.
A five-university consortium led by Michigan State University is conducting a four-year study to understand why Lyme disease is more prevalent in some areas than others. The researchers aim to identify the ecological factors that affect the Lyme disease cycle, including climate, vertebrate biodiversity, and tick genetics.
Effective surveillance and clinician awareness are key to minimizing Lyme disease's impact, according to researchers. The disease is transmitted by ticks and can cause serious symptoms if left untreated.
Researchers have identified a manganese protein essential for Lyme disease bacteria to become virulent. The study found that manganese is crucial for the bacterium's growth and survival, raising questions about its role in pathogenicity.
A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that natural killer (NK) T cells play a crucial role in preventing chronic inflammatory infection and clearing Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which cause Lyme disease. The research demonstrates that NK T cells are central to reducing arthritis symptoms.
Researchers Tao Lin and Steven J. Norris will investigate conflicting reports on the infectious nature of Southern-Tick Associated Rash Illness (STARI) in Texas. They aim to identify the causative agent using innovative approaches such as DNA amplification and high-throughput sequencing.
Microbiologists track B. burgdorferi movement and interaction with vascular walls in mice to understand dissemination mechanisms, shedding light on disease processes. Real-time imaging provides critical insight into the complex process of spirochete spread.
Researchers found that antibiotic treatment doesn't eradicate all Lyme disease-causing bacteria, which may contribute to lingering symptoms. The discovery sets the stage for controlled laboratory research investigating potential therapies for persistent Lyme disease infections.
A single injection of doxycycline hyclate has shown 100% effectiveness in preventing Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis in mice, offering a promising new treatment option. Researchers are planning to test different release kinetics and delivery methods to develop a slow-release patch for broader protection.
A University of Pennsylvania study reveals chipmunks and shrews are major carriers of Lyme disease, not just mice. The research challenges the widely-held belief that mice are the primary animal reservoir for Lyme disease.
A research team led by UNH will use satellite imagery and data from tick surveillance programs to identify 'hot spots' of Lyme disease transmission. The project aims to build capacity for early warning systems and predict the spread of other vector-borne diseases.
The American Academy of Neurology has published a new guideline for treating Lyme disease affecting the nervous system, finding conventional antibiotic courses highly effective. Prolonged antibiotic treatment does not improve outcomes for patients with persistent symptoms after standard therapy.
Researchers create combination proteins that trigger a stronger immune response against Lyme disease, potentially leading to more effective vaccines. The new proteins can also be used as diagnostic reagents to distinguish between disease-causing and harmless strains of bacteria.
The Infectious Diseases Society of America has updated its Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. The new guidelines include recommendations for a single dose of antibiotic for high-risk patients and expanded discussion on chronic post-Lyme syndromes.
Researchers at LIAI have identified Borrelia burgdorferi's glycolipid as an immune system trigger for fighting Lyme disease. This discovery could lead to the development of a new vaccine against the tick-borne disorder.
Researchers found that density of infected nymphs varies significantly from year to year, primarily influenced by fluctuations in acorn, mouse, and chipmunk abundance. Acorns emerge as the best predictor of Lyme disease risk due to their crucial role in supporting rodent populations.
A new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that blood stream invasion occurs in nearly half of untreated adults with erythema migrans, a tell-tale bull's eye rash. Younger patients and those with prior Lyme disease experience lower rates of invasion.
Researchers developed a broad-based vaccination for Lyme disease by targeting white-footed mice, which play a key role in spreading the disease. The study found that vaccinating these mice reduced nymphal infection prevalence by 16% and had potential implications for preventing other vector-borne diseases.
Researchers propose a novel approach to battling Lyme disease by vaccinating mice, which can reduce the number of infected ticks that transmit the disease. The study shows an overall 16% reduction in nymphal infection prevalence after immunizing mice, highlighting the potential of this method to combat Lyme disease.
A four-year study by Yale researchers found that vaccinating white-footed mice reduced the number of deer ticks carrying Lyme disease. The study demonstrated a significant reduction in risk for humans getting Lyme disease from tick bites, but not as great as expected. Further development of oral vaccines is proposed to reduce human risk.
A Yale University study identified a tick gut receptor used by spirochete bacteria to colonize ticks, which the bacteria use to survive. Blocking this receptor disrupts the bacteria's life cycle, opening up new strategies for improving Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment.
A $2.9 million CDC grant will support a large-scale field study at 95 sites across the US to estimate the population density of host-seeking deer ticks and the extent of Borrelia infection among them, aiming to generate a continuous map of human risk for Lyme disease in the eastern U.S.
Researchers at New York Medical College are exploring bacterial antibiotic resistance in salmon aquaculture and developing new diagnostic tests for Lyme disease. The studies aim to improve understanding of the diseases and test new methods for prevention and control.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers found that even brief contact with wood or leaf litter increases the risk of tick exposure. Precautions such as avoiding prolonged contact and inspecting skin carefully are recommended for people frequenting endemic areas.
Researchers discovered that the alternative outer surface protein OspC facilitates Borrelia burgdorferi's invasion of tick salivary glands. Inhibiting OspC with antibodies can prevent B. burgdorferi from invading and transmitting to new hosts, offering a potential approach to reducing Lyme disease incidence.
Researchers are studying the ecological worlds inside ticks to learn more about tick-borne diseases. The study aims to understand how non-pathogenic microbes displace pathogenic ones, potentially decreasing disease transmission to humans and animals.
A randomized trial found that patients with early Lyme disease and no heart, joint or neurologic abnormalities can be effectively treated with 10 days of doxycycline therapy. The study showed that approximately two-thirds of patients responded to treatment within 20 days.
A study found that 10 days of doxycycline antibiotic therapy is as effective as a 20-day course for early Lyme disease. Additionally, researchers discovered that many people cannot accurately recall if they or family members had skin diseases contraindicating smallpox vaccination, potentially increasing the risk of widespread vaccination.