Category Archives: Co-infections

Recent in: Co-infections

Establishment of a continuous in vitro culture of Babesia duncani in human erythrocytes reveals unusually high tolerance to recommended therapies. [ie Mepron not too effective?]

November 21st, 2018 Abstract Human babesiosis is an emerging tick-borne disease caused by apicomplexan parasites of the genus Babesia. Clinical cases caused by Babesia duncani have been associated with high parasite burden, severe pathology and death. In both mice and hamsters, the parasite causes uncontrolled fulminant infections, which ultimately lead to death. Resolving these infections requires knowledge of B. duncani biology, virulence, and susceptibility to  antiinfectives, but Continues →

Evaluating polymicrobial immune responses in patients suffering from tick-borne diseases

October 29 2018, Garga K et al There is insufficient evidence to support screening of various tick-borne diseases (TBD) related microbes alongside Borrelia in patients suffering from TBD. To evaluate the involvement of multiple microbial immune responses in patients experiencing TBD we utilized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Four hundred and thirty-two human serum samples organized into seven categories followed Centers for Continues →

Toronto Star: Everything about Lyme disease is steeped in controversy. Now some doctors are too afraid to treat patients

[CanLyme Note: In the below article there are outrageous, disgraceful, and dangerous comments by Tara Moriarty and Todd Hatchette. Tara says a study showed labs returning 60% false positive test results which is simply not true, or in other words, a blatant lie. That study was not powered to determine true positive or negative results. The conclusion of that study was, Continues →

Symptoms of Ehrlichiosis [with treatment recommendations]

Nov 26th, 2018 “Patients with ehrlichiosis (regardless of the putative organism) clinically present with fever, chills, severe headache, confusion, malaise, nausea, vomiting, and generalized body aches. Respiratory symptoms such as cough may also be observed, but they are more common in adults than in  children. Symptoms are typically seen one to two weeks following a tick bite, with a median Continues →

Human Babesiosis Caused by Babesia duncani Has Widespread Distribution across Canada

Published May 17, 2018 Abstract: Human babesiosis caused by Babesia duncani is an emerging infectious disease in Canada. This malaria-like illness is brought about by a protozoan parasite infecting red blood cells. Currently, controversy surrounds which tick species are vectors of B. duncani. Since the availability of a serological or molecular test in Canada for B. duncanihas been limited, we conducted a seven-year surveillance study (2011–2017) to ascertain the Continues →

Detection of tick-borne infection in Morgellons disease patients by serological and molecular techniques

Marianne J Middelveen, Iris Du Cruz, Melissa C Fesler, Raphael B Stricker, Jyotsna S Shah 1Atkins Veterinary Services, Calgary, AB, Canada; 2IGeneX Laboratories, Palo Alto, CA, USA; 3Union Square Medical Associates, San Francisco, CA, USA Background: Morgellons disease (MD) is a skin condition associated with Lyme disease (LD) and tick-borne illness. Patients with this skin disorder experience ulcerative lesions that contain multicolored filamentous collagen and keratin inclusions. Continues →

Mount Allison University’s Lyme Research Network presents their 2017 – 2018 report on research funded by the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation

Another successful year building capacity and knowledge within the Canadian science community. These funded students will be our near-future experts. “Overview On May 2017, Mount Allison University announced the formation of the Mount Allison Lyme Research Network, formed with support of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation. This network consists of 14 researchers united to provide a comprehensive approach to Lyme Continues →

Ticks do not only transmit Lyme disease: After Tularemia Death, Experts Stress Education

[Learn more about tularemia ] Article… September 13, 2018 Julia Wells The Vineyard Gazette With tick-borne diseases a growing matter of public health concern on Martha’s Vineyard, education and prevention are more important than ever, the state’s leading expert in infectious diseases said in an interview this week. Dr. Catherine Brown, the state epidemiologist and senior scientist for the Massachusetts Department Continues →

What are implications for eastern Canada? – New York – Warning Issued After New Tick Species Discovered In Westchester

[CanLyme Note:  Ticks in New York state are only a short flight away aboard our migratory passerine birds ie robins, finches, wrens. who bring these ticks into Canada in the millions each year.] July 18th, 2018 State officials are warning New York residents, visitors and farmers about the continued importance of taking measures to protect against ticks, as a new tick species Continues →

Lyme disease in Saskatchewan ticks, and dog ticks can infect Borrelia miyamotoi.

The vast majority of ticks found in Saskatchewan are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick), a species not known to be a competent vector of typical Lyme borreliosis (Borrelia burrgdorferi s.l.) to humans.  However, recently Borrelia miyamotoi has been found in Canadian ticks coast to coast. Also, this from Manitoba, Saskatchewan’s next door neighbour. Borrelia miyamotoi causes similar disease in humans to Lyme borreliosis. Needing more Continues →

Nova Scotians continue to be affected by Lyme disease

May 26th, 2018 Virginia Smith will have to wait before finding out whether she’s the victim of another nasty tick infection. On two occasions over the past week, the Weymouth farmer discovered a tick-sucking blood from the very spot on her body, just above her right shoulder blade. She heeded all precautions to avoid contact with the parasites both times Continues →

Global News television: Manitoba Canada Lyme awareness – province leads the country in working directly with patient groups.

Watch this interesting piece… “Marnie Le Page from Manitoba Lyme and Communicable Diseases Medical Officer of Health Dr. Richard Rush joined Gobal’s Shannon Cuciz to discuss emerging tick-bone diseases in Manitoba.” Canada-wide we are in a crisis due to a very well imbedded denial of access to health care relative to Lyme and other tick-bonre diseases. Patient groups and their Continues →

Human Babesiosis Caused by Babesia duncani Has Widespread Distribution across Canada

John D. Scott * and Catherine M. Scott  published May 17, 2018 Abstract   Human babesiosis caused by Babesia duncani is an emerging infectious disease in Canada. This malaria-like illness is brought about by a protozoan parasite infecting red blood cells. Currently, controversy surrounds which tick species are vectors of B. duncani. Since the availability of a serological or molecular test in Canada for B. duncani has been Continues →