scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Tick-Borne Pathogens in Czech Patients with Suspected Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2217
Author(s):  
Kristyna Sloupenska ◽  
Jana Dolezilkova ◽  
Barbora Koubkova ◽  
Beata Hutyrova ◽  
Mojmir Racansky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Significant Influence ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Bartonella Henselae ◽  
Antimicrobial Treatment ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Good Agreement

The hypothesized importance of coinfections in the pathogenesis of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) leads to the use of combined, ongoing antimicrobial treatment in many cases despite the absence of symptoms typical of the presence of infection with specific pathogens. Serum samples from 103 patients with suspected post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome were tested for the presence of antibodies to the major tick-borne pathogens Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella henselae/Bartonella quinatana, and Babesia microti. Although the presence of anti-Anaplasma antibodies was detected in 12.6% of the samples and anti-Bartonella antibodies in 9.7% of the samples, the presence of antibodies against both pathogens in the same samples or anti-Babesia antibodies in the selected group of patients could not be confirmed. However, we were able to detect autoantibodies, mostly antinuclear, in 11.6% of the patients studied. Our results are in good agreement with previously published studies showing the presence of a wide spectrum of autoantibodies in some patients with complicated forms of Lyme disease and post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, but they do not reveal a significant influence of co-infections on the development of PTLDS in the studied group of patients.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Bartonella spp., Babesia microti, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum Serologic Markers in Patients with Lyme Disease

2008 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. e229
Author(s):  
K. Tomasiewicz ◽  
R. Modrzewska ◽  
V. Zajac ◽  
J. Chmielewska-Badora ◽  
E. Murias-Brylowska
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Serologic Markers

scholarly journals 599. Patient Beliefs Regarding Lyme Disease and Need for Antimicrobial Treatment when Referred for Lyme Evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S403-S403
Author(s):  
Kalpana D Shere-Wolfe ◽  
Rachel Silk ◽  
Carla Alexander
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Antimicrobial Treatment ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Patient Records ◽  
University Of Maryland ◽  
Patient Beliefs ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Chronic Lyme Disease ◽  
The University

Abstract Background Controversy and confusion surround the terminology for patients who have persistent symptoms after treatment for Lyme disease (LD) or may have been misdiagnosed with Lyme disease. While Infectious Diseases (ID) use the term Post treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), patients tend to use the term Chronic Lyme disease (CLD) to describe the syndrome associated with persistent symptoms post treatment of LD. Many ID physicians are reluctant to see patients who identify themselves as having “Chronic Lyme” disease in some part due to reluctance to prescribe repeated courses of antibiotics. The purpose of this inquiry was to assess belief regarding Lyme disease and treatment. Methods Patients at the Integrated Lyme Program at the University of Maryland completed clinical intake forms which included questions on their familiarity and beliefs surrounding Lyme disease. Results We evaluated 146 patient records from our Lyme Program Registry which began in December 2018. There were 57 (34.5%) males and 108 (65.5%)females with mean age of 51 years. Forty seven percentage of patients were referred by a physician and 53 % were self-referred. Approximately 50% (71/146) were treated with less 30 days of antibiotics, 37% (54/146) were treated with 1-6 months of antibiotics and 11.6% (17/146) were treated with >6months of antibiotics prior to their initial evaluation in our Lyme program. Sixty eight percentage of patients were familiar with the term CLD but only 44% percentage were familiar with term PTLDS. Approximately half of the patients ( 52%) believed that they currently had Lyme disease and 63% believed that their current symptoms were due to Lyme disease. Despite this only 18% believed that they needed antibiotics for Lyme disease at the time completing the form. Conclusion Patient referred to our Lyme center were more familiar with term CLD vs PTLDS. Many of them believed that they currently had LD and their symptoms were due to Lyme disease. Despite this, the majority did not feel that they needed antibiotics for Lyme Disease at the time of their clinical visit. More research is needed to better understand patient beliefs and understanding regarding Lyme disease. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

One man, three tick-borne illnesses

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. e241004
Author(s):  
Leah Grant ◽  
Imran Mohamedy ◽  
Laura Loertscher
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Acute Kidney Injury ◽  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Northeastern United States ◽  
Common Infection

A 70-year-old man presented to the emergency department with fevers, ankle edema and nausea following a presumed insect bite on his ankle 1 month prior. On examination, he was febrile and had left leg pain with passive range of motion. Laboratory studies revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute kidney injury and elevated aminotransaminases. Due to his recent travel to the Northeastern United States, he was suspected of having a possible tick-borne illness. Serologies were positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti, and the patient was diagnosed with Lyme disease, babesiosis and anaplasmosis. He was treated with doxycyline, atovaquone and azithromycin, leading to resolution of symptoms. While co-infection with Lyme disease is common, infection with three tickborne illnesses at one time is relatively rare.

scholarly journals Surveillance of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens in Suburban Natural Habitats of Central Maryland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T Milholland ◽  
Lars Eisen ◽  
Robyn M Nadolny ◽  
Andrias Hojgaard ◽  
Erika T Machtinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi ◽  
Spotted Fever ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Lato ◽  
Spotted Fever Group ◽  
Borrelia Miyamotoi ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Questing Ticks ◽  
Tick Vectors

Abstract Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are increasing in the eastern United States and there is a lack of research on integrated strategies to control tick vectors. Here we present results of a study on tick-borne pathogens detected from tick vectors and rodent reservoirs from an ongoing 5-yr tick suppression study in the Lyme disease-endemic state of Maryland, where human-biting tick species, including Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) (the primary vector of Lyme disease spirochetes), are abundant. During the 2017 tick season, we collected 207 questing ticks and 602 ticks recovered from 327 mice (Peromyscus spp. (Rodentia: Cricetidae)), together with blood and ear tissue from the mice, at seven suburban parks in Howard County. Ticks were selectively tested for the presence of the causative agents of Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato [s.l.]), anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum), babesiosis (Babesia microti), ehrlichiosis (Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and ‘Panola Mountain’ Ehrlichia) and spotted fever group rickettsiosis (Rickettsia spp.). Peromyscus ear tissue and blood samples were tested for Bo. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s), A. phagocytophilum, Ba. microti, and Borrelia miyamotoi. We found 13.6% (15/110) of questing I. scapularis nymphs to be Bo. burgdorferi s.l. positive and 1.8% (2/110) were A. phagocytophilum positive among all sites. Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. was found in 71.1% (54/76) of I. scapularis nymphs removed from mice and 58.8% (194/330) of captured mice. Results from study on tick abundance and pathogen infection status in questing ticks, rodent reservoirs, and ticks feeding on Peromyscus spp. will aid efficacy evaluation of the integrated tick management measures being implemented.

scholarly journals Novel Protozoans in Austria Revealed through the Use of Dogs as Sentinels for Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1392
Author(s):  
Michiel Wijnveld ◽  
Anna-Margarita Schötta ◽  
Theresa Stelzer ◽  
Georg Duscher ◽  
Michael Leschnik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anaplasma Phagocytophilum ◽  
Blot Hybridization ◽  
Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Babesia Microti ◽  
Rickettsia Helvetica ◽  
Haemaphysalis Concinna ◽  
Borrelia Lusitaniae ◽  
Rickettsia Monacensis ◽  
Borrelia Burgdorferi Sensu Stricto

We previously isolated and cultivated the novel Rickettsia raoultii strain Jongejan. This prompted us to ask whether this strain is unique or more widely present in Austria. To assess this issue, we retrospectively screened ticks collected from dogs in 2008. Of these collected ticks, we randomly selected 75 (47 females and 28 males) Dermacentor reticulatus, 44 (21 females, 7 males, and 16 nymphs) Haemaphysalis concinna, and 55 (52 females and 3 males) ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex. Subsequently, these ticks were individually screened for the presence of tick-borne pathogens using the reverse line blot hybridization assay. In our current study, we detected DNA from the following microbes in D. reticulatus: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia lusitaniae, Borrelia spielmanii, Borrelia valaisiana, and R. raoultii, all of which were R. raoultii strain Jongejan. In H. concinna, we found DNA of a Babesia sp., Rickettsia helvetica, and an organism closely related to Theileria capreoli. Lastly, I. ricinus was positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii/Borrelia bavariensis, B. lusitaniae, B. spielmanii, B. valaisiana, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia monacensis, and Theileria (Babesia) microti DNA. The detection of DNA of the Babesia sp. and an organism closely related to Theileria capreoli, both found in H. concinna ticks, is novel for Austria.

scholarly journals Antibodies to Highly Pathogenic A/H5Nx (Clade 2.3.4.4) Influenza Viruses in the Sera of Vietnamese Residents

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 394
Author(s):  
Tatyana Ilyicheva ◽  
Vasily Marchenko ◽  
Olga Pyankova ◽  
Anastasia Moiseeva ◽  
Tran Thi Nhai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Avian Influenza ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Socialist Republic ◽  
Highly Pathogenic ◽  
Virus Variant ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
Hemagglutinin Inhibition

To cause a pandemic, an influenza virus has to overcome two main barriers. First, the virus has to be antigenically new to humans. Second, the virus has to be directly transmitted from humans to humans. Thus, if the avian influenza virus is able to pass the second barrier, it could cause a pandemic, since there is no immunity to avian influenza in the human population. To determine whether the adaptation process is ongoing, analyses of human sera could be conducted in populations inhabiting regions where pandemic virus variant emergence is highly possible. This study aimed to analyze the sera of Vietnamese residents using hemagglutinin inhibition reaction (HI) and microneutralization (MN) with A/H5Nx (clade 2.3.4.4) influenza viruses isolated in Vietnam and the Russian Federation in 2017–2018. In this study, we used sera from 295 residents of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam collected from three groups: 52 samples were collected from households in Nam Dinh province, where poultry deaths have been reported (2017); 96 (2017) and 147 (2018) samples were collected from patients with somatic but not infectious diseases in Hanoi. In all, 65 serum samples were positive for HI, at least to one H5 virus used in the study. In MN, 47 serum samples neutralizing one or two viruses at dilutions of 1/40 or higher were identified. We postulate that the rapidly evolving A/H5Nx (clade 2.3.4.4) influenza virus is possibly gradually adapting to the human host, insofar as healthy individuals have antibodies to a wide spectrum of variants of that subtype.

scholarly journals Expectancies as predictors of symptom improvement after antimicrobial therapy for persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henriët van Middendorp ◽  
Anneleen Berende ◽  
Fidel J. Vos ◽  
Hadewych H. M. ter Hofstede ◽  
Bart Jan Kullberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lyme Disease ◽  
Treatment Success ◽  
Symptomatic Improvement ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Symptom Improvement ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Treatment Expectancies ◽  
End Of Treatment ◽  
Pre Treatment

Abstract Introduction/Objective Expectancies about symptom improvement or deterioration are reliable predictors of symptom progression and treatment outcomes (symptom resolution or symptomatic improvement) in many (non-)pharmacological studies and treatments. This study examined predictors of symptom improvement after antimicrobial therapy for persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease, hypothesizing particularly pre-treatment expectancies regarding symptom improvement to be predictive. Methods A predictive study was performed on pre-treatment and post-treatment individual characteristics, including expectancies, and physical and mental health–related quality of life (HRQoL) from the PLEASE-trial comparing randomized 12-weeks of doxycycline, clarithromycin-hydroxychloroquine, or placebo following 2 weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone. At end-of-treatment (14 weeks after trial start) and follow-up (52 weeks), complete data of 231 and 170 (of initial 280) patients with persistent symptoms temporally related to a history of erythema migrans or otherwise confirmed symptomatic Lyme disease, or accompanied by B. burgdorferi IgG or IgM antibodies, were examined through hierarchical regression analyses. Results In addition to pre-treatment HRQoL, pre-treatment expectancies regarding symptom improvement were consistently associated with stronger physical and mental HRQoL improvements at both end-of-treatment and follow-up (95% CI range: .09;.54, p < .01 to .27;.92, p < .001). Post-treatment expectancies regarding having received antibiotics vs. placebo was associated with more HRQoL improvement at end-of-treatment, but not at follow-up (95% CI-range 1.00;4.75, p = .003 to −7.34; −2.22, p < .001). Conclusions The present study shows that, next to pre-treatment functioning, patients’ pre-treatment and post-treatment expectancies regarding improvement of persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease relate to a more beneficial symptom course. Expectancies of patients may be relevant to explain and potentially improve patient outcomes (e.g., by optimized communication about treatment success). Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01207739 (Registration date: 23–09-2010) Key Points• As there is currently no sufficient symptom resolution or symptomatic improvement for many patients with persistent symptoms attributed to Lyme disease, it is relevant to know which factors determine symptom progression and predict heterogeneity in treatment response.• Next to pre-treatment functioning, expectancies regarding symptom improvement and having received antimicrobial study medication are associated with a more beneficial symptom course after both shorter-term and longer-term antimicrobial treatment.• Expectancies are relevant to consider in treatment studies and may be useful in clinical settings to improve symptom course and treatment outcome (e.g., by optimized communication about treatment success).

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