Can A New Type Of Antibiotic Help Treat Lyme Disease?

Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a new family of proteins involved in the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. This study found that shape, elongation, division and sporulation (SEDS) peptidoglycan proteins have a major part in the formation of bacterial cell walls. For decades it was thought that penicillin-binding proteins (PBP's) were the only set of enzymes that worked in complexes to build the cell wall. Now it appears there are two sets of enzymes working in two different systems. The researchers findings entitled, "SEDS Proteins are a Widespread Family of Bacterial Cell Wall Polymerases" were published in Nature, International Weekly Journal of Science, on August 15, 2016. [1] Perhaps this discovery will lead to new treatment for Lyme Disease.

Inaccurate Tests for Lyme Disease Are Causing Harm

Faulty Serological Blood Tests for Lyme Disease Are Harming People

While a diagnosis Lyme Disease should be based upon Clinical Symptoms, most Physicians today are requiring a positive blood test before providing treatment. There is significant scientific evidence proving the two-tier blood test for Lyme Disease is inconsistent and inaccurate. Imprecise results are leading to wrongful diagnoses and/or delayed diagnoses, which greatly increases the severity of illness and human suffering. (See: A Negative Lyme Test Doesn't Exclude the Diagnosis of Borreliosis)

Tick-Borne Diseases in California - It's Not Just Lyme and It's Not Just Deer Ticks!

Lyme Disease is currently the fastest growing bacterial infectious disease in the United States of America. Lyme is caused by a spiral shaped bacteria (spirochete) called Borrelia burgdorferi.  On the East Coast the primary vector for Lyme Disease is the Ioxdes Scapularis Tick with the primary reservoir  being the White Footed Mouse. On the West Coast the primary vector is the Ioxdes Pacificus Tick with the Gray Squirrel being the primary reservoir. (See Previous Post On North American Ticks)

North American Tick-borne Diseases: Including Lyme Disease andCo-Infections

Ticks are capable of transmitting many illnesses to humans.

As Lyme disease is spreading so are other tick-borne infections. I created this page to help identify the different species of North American ticks by region and catalog the major tick borne diseases they carry. While my maps focus on the continental U.S. it is a known fact that migrating birds who carry ticks do not stop on borders. Many of the species listed thrive in parts of Mexico and Canada as well. The reality is tick-borne illnesses are not limited to the East Coast or deer ticks.

Note: One tick is capable of transmitting more than one infection.

A Discussion about Lyme and Emerging Tick Related Illnesses via Twitter

The Amazing Benefits of Networking on Twitter

About a year ago I discovered Twitter. Initially, I was following the Stars on the VOICE & attempting to keep up with politics. However, in order to maintain my sanity, I have since abandoned politics.  Almost by accident I discovered a huge number of my favorite medical writers and contributors to Magazines, Journals and News Papers were all on twitter. It didn't take long for me to build a network of other interesting and intelligent individuals from all over the World who I enjoy following.

Below is a perfect example of the amazing benefits of networking on twitter.  Last year I met Dr. Judy Stone, an infectious disease doctor and accomplished writer who has helped educate me on infectious diseases, and connect me into the twitter-sphere.

Four Stages of Lyme Disease: Borrelia burgdorferi

Lyme Disease is a vector borne illness caused by Borrelia Burgdorferi(Bb) a spirochete which is passed on to humans primarily by infected ticks. There are 21 known species of Borrelia and 3 genotypes of B.burgdorferi.  Ticks are small arachnids and can carry numerous bacteria, viruses and protozoa such as Rickettsia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and Babesia. The tick has a two year life cycle, going from larva to nymph to adult, requiring blood at each stage. Many bites occur during the nymph phase. The typical nymph is about the size of a poppy seed.