A Model List of Essential Diagnostics Needs to Include Tick-Borne Diseases

Prior to the advent of laboratory testing medical decisions were based on the interpretation of a patient's symptoms. Today the majority of medical decisions are based upon diagnostic tests. Tests have become an essential part of modern healthcare.

"Without diagnostics, medicine is blind." ~ Alain Merieux

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)

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.

Emerging Science In Lyme Disease Testing:

There is some promising news on the horizon for Lyme Disease. Several new tests have been developed within the past year that I will highlight here. (P.S. I will be adding to this page as new information emerges, so please check back)

Lyme is caused by an infection of the Borrelia spirochete (phylum Spirochetaete) and is the most common vector-borne infectious disease in the United States. With over 300,000 Americans being infected annually, Lyme presents a serious public health concern. Unfortunately, the current testing for Lyme does not account for the wide genetic variability or the multiple variant forms of Borrelia. In addition, the level of spirochetes in the blood can run so low that they may be undetectable at the time of testing.

A Negative Lyme Test Does't Exclude the Diagnosis of Borreliosis

Lyme disease, caused by the Borrelia Burgdorferi spirochete, is the most common vector borne disease in the United States. There is considerable debate regarding the accuracy of current testing for Lyme Diseaes.

Obtaining a positive confirmation for Lyme is hampered by several factors:

1. Antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi [Bb] are slow to develop (1-4 weeks for early antibodies (IgM) & 4-6 weeks or more for mature antibodies (IgG)); 
2. Co-infection with other spirochetes can yield false positives; 
3. Co-infection with certain viruses can yield false negatives;
4. Co-infection with other tick-borne disease can yield false negatives;
5. Immunosupression (lack of antibodies) can yield false positives; 
6. Immunoblots (a test that looks for antibodies) are subject to human interpretation and error;
7. No single Enzyme Immunoassay Test (EIA) currently exists to detect all 21 strains of Borrelia; 
8. Early antibiotic use can yield false negatives;
9. Many doctors don't know the reason's for false negative tests, and fail to repeat them.