Tag Archives: ticks

Turkey tick news: A molecular investigation into the presence of tick-borne pathogens in host-seeking ticks in Anatolia; Initial evidence of putative vectors and pathogens, and footsteps of a secretly rising vector tick, Haemaphysalis parva.

[CanLyme Note: The title may mislead some to believe they are studying a turkey tick.  This is a study of ticks in the country of Turkey.] Abstract This Turkey-based study investigated the presence of various tick-borne microorganisms in a broad-range of host-seeking ticks (n = 1019) that exhibit both hunter and ambusher characteristics. All collected ticks were analyzed individually via PCR-sequencing, resulting in Continues →

Prevalence of Infection and Co-Infection and Presence of Rickettsial Endosymbionts in Ixodes Scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Connecticut, USA.

Abstract Ixodes scapularis is currently known to transmit 7 pathogens responsible for Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, tick-borne relapsing fever, ehrlichiosis, and Powassan encephalitis. Ixodes scapularis can also be colonized by endosymbiotic bacteria including those in the genus of Rickettsia. We screened 459 I. scapularis ticks submitted to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Tick Testing Laboratory with the objectives to (1) examine differences in infection prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma Continues →

Bieber’s Lyme disease shines light on issues surrounding complicated illness

Bieber’s Lyme shines light on complicated disease Justin Bieber’s recent Lyme disease diagnosis has put another big spotlight on an illness that’s still shrouded in mystery, both in the public eye and the medical and scientific communities. The pop superstar from Stratford, Ont., announced his condition on his Instagram account earlier this week, making him the third major Canadian singer Continues →

Extensive Distribution of the Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato, in Multiple Tick Species Parasitizing Avian and Mammalian Hosts across Canada

Abstract Lyme disease, caused by the spirochetal bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), is typically transmitted by hard-bodied ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). Whenever this tick-borne zoonosis is mentioned in medical clinics and emergency rooms, it sparks a firestorm of controversy. Denial often sets in, and healthcare practitioners dismiss the fact that this pathogenic spirochetosis is present in their area. For distribution of Bbsl Continues →

Nova Scotia, Canada: Lyme disease conference held in Bridgewater

November 17th, 2019 CTV reporter Heidi Petracek @HeidipCTV As the number of reported cases of Lyme disease on Nova Scotia’s South Shore continues to rise, so too does public concern. That’s why hundreds of residents and medical professionals gathered in Bridgewater this weekend for the Bridgewater Lyme Disease Conference. “When you look at the map of infected areas, this province Continues →

A Multiple Streams Approach to Understanding the Issues and Challenges of Lyme Disease Management in Canada’s Maritime Provinces

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 May; 16(9): 1531. Published online 2019 Apr 30. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16091531 Mario Levesque and Matthew Klohn Abstract This study examines potential challenges facing Lyme disease patients in Canada’s Maritime provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island—and considers how issues could be addressed. Reviews of both the academic and grey literature are complemented by surveys targeting both medical professionals Continues →

Canadian Cycling Magazine: Ticks and Lyme disease: What you need to know

With tick-borne illnesses on the rise in many parts of Canada, prevention is key for cyclists riding through the forest by Anne Francis  September 29, 2019 If you’ve ever had, or known someone who’s had Lyme disease, you know it’s no picnic–symptoms may resemble the flu (nausea, fever, chills, swollen glands, or a rash), and can be debilitating. And with tick-borne Continues →

Parenting When Children Have Lyme Disease: Fear, Frustration, Advocacy

Emilie M. Gaudet 1 , Odette N. Gould 1,*, Vett Lloyd 2 1 Department of Psychology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB E4L 1C7 Canada 2 Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB E4L 1G7 Canada * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Healthcare 2019, 7(3), 95; doi.org/10.3390/healthcare7030095 Abstract Increasing numbers of Canadians, including children and adolescents, are being infected with Borrelia burgdorferi and contracting Lyme disease. Continues →

Global TV News: Why Lyme disease is on the rise, explained

[CanLyme Note: Both AIDS and Lyme disease arose as an issue in the late 1970’s with the first case of Lyme reported in Quebec in 1977. As pointed out in this piece, since then there have been over 11,000 clinical trials for AIDS yet only 60 for Lyme disease. Lyme disease research funding in Canada is abysmal and is directed Continues →

HOUSE ORDERS PENTAGON TO REVEAL WHETHER IT TURNED TICKS INTO BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS

Lyme disease expert champions investigation into Pentagon weaponizing ticks: ‘It’s a courageous move’ July 21st, 2019   Kris Newby, author of “Bitten: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weapons,” discussed how ticks can be weaponized during an interview with “Fox & Friends Sunday” and supported an investigation into whether or not the Pentagon attempted this feat during the Cold Continues →

House orders Pentagon to review if it exposed Americans to weaponised ticks

A New Jersey lawmaker suggests the government turned ticks and insects into bioweapons to spread disease and possibly released them The US House of Representatives has called for an investigation into whether the spread of Lyme disease had its roots in a Pentagon experiment in weaponising ticks. The House approved an amendment proposed by a Republican congressman from New Jersey, Chris Smith, Continues →

Ottawa mom warns parents to check their kids for ticks after her toddler is diagnosed with Lyme disease

[CanLyme Note: It is nice to hear that the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) ‘may’ be actually taking this seriously finally. Mothers in Ontario and at many other children’s hospitals across Canada in the very recent past have been accused of having Munchausen by Proxy simply because they fought for their children’s rights after a negative test for Lyme disease Continues →