Monday, August 25, 2014

Roundup of the latest Lyme news:


RESEARCH AND JOURNAL ARTICLES

High-throughout Screening of Tick-borne Pathogens in Europe  (Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology)  http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fcimb.2014.00103/abstract

Decorin Binding Proteins A and B in the Serodiagnosis of Lyme Disease in North America 
(American Society for Microbiology, Journal of Clinical Microbiology)  http://cdli.asm.org/content/early/2014/08/11/CVI.00383-14

The Use of Ivermectin to Kill Ixodes scapularis Ticks Feeding on Humans  (Wilderness & Environmental Medicine)  http://www.wemjournal.org/article/S1080-6032%2813%2900258-5/abstract

Detection of Bacterial Agents in Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) From Georgia, USA, and the Use of a Multiplex Assay to Differentiate Ehrlichia chaffeensis and Ehrlichia ewingii  (Journal of Medical Entomology) http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/esa/jme/2014/00000051/00000004/art00019?token=004914e1f7a85a666f3a7b6c2a40446f5e2063667e6b4649264f655d375c6b68763050211

Collection and Characterization of Samples for the Establishment of a Serum Repository for Lyme Disease Diagnostic Test Development and Evaluation (American Society for Microbiology, Journal of Clinical Microbiology) http://jcm.asm.org/content/early/2014/08/07/JCM.01409-14
Tick Surveillance for Relapsing Fever Spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi in Hokkaido, Japan  (PLOS ONE)  http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0104532

Seasonal Activity Patterns of the Western Black-legged Tick, Ixodes pacificus, in Relation to Onset of Human Lyme Disase in Northwestern California  (Science Direct) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X14001277

Hypersomia (heightened sense of smell) in Lyme Disease (SciElo Brasil)  http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2014000800596&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en
Tick-borne Pathogen - Reversed and Conventional Discovery of Disease (Frontiers in Public Health)  http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpubh.2014.00073/abstract

Serosurvey for Selected Pathogens in Free-Ranging American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) in Maryland, USA  (WDA Journal of Wildlife Diseases) http://www.jwildlifedis.org/doi/abs/10.7589/2013-07-155

Evidence Assessments and Guideline Recommendations in Lyme disease: The Clinical Management of Known Tick Bites, Erythema migrans Rashes and Persistent Disease  (Informa Healthcare) http://informahealthcare.com/doi/full/10.1586/14787210.2014.940900


LYME POLITICS
 AND CONTROVERSIES

Three Letters to the Editor re Lyme Disease (New England Journal of Medicine)   http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc1407264  (the article referred to:  http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp1314325)
Lyme Disease Drug:  Schumer Urges FDA to Act on Price Hikes (Poughkeepsie Journal)  http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/health/lyme-disease/2014/08/12/schumer-urges-fda-lyme/13959671/

Are Staunch Supporters of the IDSA Admitting They Might Have Been Wrong All Along?  (LymeMD Blog)  http://lymemd.blogspot.ca/2014/08/are-staunch-supporters-of-idsa.html?m=1 and the journal article referred to: Identification of Novel Activity Against Borrelia burgdorferi Persisters Using an FDA Approved Drug Library  (Nature: Emerging Microbes & Infections)  http://www.nature.com/emi/journal/v3/n7/full/emi201453a.html

FDA to Regulate Lyme, Other Diagnostic Tests  (New England Center for Investigative Reporting)  http://necir.org/2014/08/01/fda-to-regulate-lyme-other-diagnostic-tests-2/

OTHER NEWS, REPORTS & STORIES
Disease-borne Tick Population Studied in Eau Claire County (Wisconsin); Preliminary Results Troubling  (Leader-Telegram)   http://www.leadertelegram.com/news/front_page/article_094b09ec-2500-11e4-a854-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=jqm

Lyme Disease Fundraiser Hosted in Langford September 9 (Goldstream News Gazette)  http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/community/271282401.html

Dr Cleaveland:  Tick-borne Lyme Disease is Not Rare (TimesFreePress.com) http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2014/aug/14/tick-borne-lyme-diseaseis-not-rare/

Early Antibiotics Change Gut Microbes, Fuel Obesity (National Geographic) http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2014/08/14/early-antibiotics-change-gut-microbes-fuel-obesity/
For New Research Directions, Look to the Kids  (PRWeb.com)  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/08/prweb12090726.htm
"The pain doesn't stop":  Belle River Woman Battles Lyme Disease Controversy  (Windsor Star)  http://blogs.windsorstar.com/news/for-saturday-local-girl-battles-lyme-disease-controversy

New Brighton Woman Egged on Husband as He Shot Neighbor, Survivor Testifies (TwinCities.com)  http://www.twincities.com/crime/ci_26316990/new-brighton-woman-egged-husband-he-shot-neighbor

Mold and Mycotoxins: Often Overlooked Factors in Chronic Lyme Disease  (Better Health Guy)  http://www.betterhealthguy.com/mycotoxins

3Qs:  A New Path to Curing Chronic Lyme Disease (News @ Northeastern)  http://www.northeastern.edu/news/2014/04/lewis-3qs/

Doctors See Surge of Sudden Meat Allergies Caused by Ticks that are Spreading in the US  (The Province) http://www.theprovince.com/health/bite+Doctors+surge+sudden+meat+allergies+caused+ticks+that/10097828/story.html

VIDEO - Beyond the Headlines:  Lyme Disease  (ABC News San Francisco)  http://abc7news.com/health/beyond-the-headlines-lyme-disease/242626/

Hartford State Capitol to Host First of its Kind Scientific Lyme Disease Symposium  (Digital Journal)  http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2098921

Oh Deer:  Are We Monitoring the Wrong Mammals?  (Global News)  http://globalnews.ca/news/1446255/oh-deer-in-fighting-lyme-disease-are-we-monitoring-the-wrong-mammals/

Sticker Shock:  How Big Pharma Gouges the American Public (Bill Moyers)  http://billmoyers.com/2014/08/05/sticker-shock-how-big-pharma-gauges-the-american-public/
Lyme Disease Antibiotic Cost Soars - for Pets and People (Poughkeepsie Journal)  http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/investigations/2014/08/03/doxycycline-lymedisease-antibiotic-petspeople/13554829/
Dogs, Horses Show High Rates of Lyme Disease - Anaplasmosis Cases Rise Rapidly  (Click on CHAPTERS) (Poughkeepsie Journal)  http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/longform/news/investigations/2014/08/02/bitten/13313003/

AUDIO - Informing Family Caregivers about Vector-Borne Illnesses such as Lyme disease (Jim Wilson interviewed by Dr Gordon Atherley)  (Voice of America)  http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/78672/informing-family-caregivers-about-vector-borne-illnesses-such-as-lyme-disease


Cases of Poorly Understood Lyme Disease Continue to Grow in Alberta (Calgary Sun) http://www.calgarysun.com/2014/08/16/cases-of-poorly-understood-lyme-disease-continue-to-grow-in-alberta

There's a Way to Reduce Tick-borne Illnesses (Suffolk Times) http://suffolktimes.timesreview.com/2014/08/51009/guest-column-theres-a-way-to-reduce-tick-borne-illnesses/

And some CARTOONS because we need to laugh:  https://twitter.com/Lymeloonies  (Click on the first cartoon thumbnail and then click on the right arrow to see more)

RESOURCES


You are Not Alone: Helping Families in the Comox Valley, BC  https://www.yanacomoxvalley.com/

Resources in Victoria One of our members put together a helpful list. Contact victorialyme@gmail.com for a copy.

Victoria Disability Resource Centre   http://drcvictoria.com/

2014 ILADS Guidelines for Lyme (ILADS)  Contact victorialyme@gmail.com for a copy.


UPCOMING EVENTS


Saturday, September 6:  Lyme Awareness booth at the Qualicum Beach Farmer's Market, 8:30 a.m. to Noon
Tuesday, September 9:  Fundraiser for Sarah C. (with Elizabeth May) at Evedar's Bistro in Langford, 5 to 8 p.m. $50, includes dinner and live music.  Reservations are required. Call 250-391-8636 or email Fran at franhj16@hotmail.com.

Saturday, September 13:  Parksville Lyme Support Group Meeting, at the Parksville Pharmasave at 1:30 p.m. 

Sunday, September 14:  Informal Meeting, 'Turmeric' restaurant at 777 Goldstream Ave, Langford, 1 to 3 p.m. (ok to order a drink or a meal)

Sunday, September 28:  Victoria Lyme Support Group Meeting, 1454 Hillside Avenue, from 1 to 4 p.m.


October 10-12:  ILADS 15th Annual Scientific Conference: Neurological Spectrum (Washington DC)  http://www.ilads.org/lyme_programs/washingtondc/ilads-washingtondc-lyme-conference.php


AGENDA – Sunday, August 24, 2014


MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
There's no formal presentation this month, so we will focus on support and discussions.  
Meetings are held on the fourth Sunday of each month.  Contact us at victorialyme@gmail.com for location, directions and information. Coffee and tea are provided free of charge.  Snacks to share are always appreciated.
Please let us know if there is anything you would like us to add to the agenda (news, discussion topic, etc)
1:00 pm to 2:30 pm INTRODUCTIONS & SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS 

Welcome message to new members.  This part of our meetings is for members to introduce themselves, to share their concerns and ask questions.  

2:45 pm to 3:30 pm  NEW ITEMS and UPDATES
Updates
1.  Meeting with Your MLA - if you haven't already done so, please make an effort to set up an appointment with your MLA to share your experiences with Lyme disease, and to ask for a commitment from them to address the issues that we face.  If you're unable to meet, please consider sending them an email.  (See our previous email/post dated July 11)
2. Informal Meeting - in Langford, Sunday, September 14th from 1 to 3 p.m. Contact victorialyme@gmail.com for location. OK to order either a drink or a meal.

New Items 
1.  Tick tests from Janet Sperling Due to the new costs involved in tick identification ($30) and testing for ticks ($35) from veterinarians, Janet Sperling has sent us some more tick collection vials, complete with prepaid envelopes to mail live ticks.  She is doing research on ticks in Canada and would be happy to receive live ticks that you find on your dog, in the environment, or crawling on you (ticks cannot be feeding on you - those must go to the BC CDC).  Please pick up a few kits for your veterinarian.
2.  T-shirts - we have a new order of our Let's Talk About Lyme t-shirts in.  Price is $10 each.
3.  Sequel to "Under our Skin" - is available for ordering on August 20th.  We will order 1 community use video and 10 regular DVDs.  One of the 10 will be for our library, one is for Parksville.  The other 8 will be for sale to members.  We should know the price by our August 24 meeting and will take pre-orders.  We expect it will be around $25 if the pricing is similar to the pricing of the original version, and our price should be a few dollars less than if you were to order one separately.  We are looking at dates, venues and speakers for a public viewing in November.
4.  Suggestions for future presentations
Lyme Support Library
Our group purchases and loans out books and DVDs on Lyme and co-infections.  Cost to join our library is $10.  Items can be borrowed for one month.  Please be courteous and return borrowed books on time.  Book donations are always appreciated. Please let us know if there are any books/DVDs that you would like us to order. 


Facebook  
Our Facebook group for people with Lyme disease on Vancouver Island is a great way to keep up to date on news and connect with others.  Log into Facebook, search for the Vancouver Island Lyme Group, and ask to join. The group is private – others can see who the members are, but only members can post and read posts, invite, and approve new members.   


INFORMAL MEETING:  Sunday, September 14, 2014
NEXT REGULAR MEETING:  Sunday, September 28th, 2014  
_________________________________________
INFORMATION 
Keep up with the latest Lyme news: 

Monday, August 4, 2014

Round up of the latest Lyme News

RESEARCH AND JOURNAL ARTICLES

New Standard of Care Guidelines for Treating Lyme and Other Tick-borne Illnesses Released by International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society Evidence Assessments and Guideline Recommendations in Lyme disease: the Clinical Management of Known Tick Bites, Erythema migrans Rashes and Persistent Disease (Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy) http://informahealthcare.com/doi/full/10.1586/14787210.2014.940900

Researchers Take Further Steps Toward Development of a Vaccine (for Anaplasmosis) (Virginia Commonwealth University) http://www.news.vcu.edu/article/Researchers_take_further_steps_toward_development_of_a_vaccine
See link to abstract, Anaplasma phagocytophilum surface protein AipA mediates invasion of mammalian host cells http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cmi.12286/abstract
Detection of Bartonella Species in the Blood of Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians: A Newly Recognized Occupational Hazard? (Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases) http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/vbz.2013.1512

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy as an Effective Adjunctive Treatment for Chronic Lyme Disease (Journal of the Chinese Medical Association) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1726490114000422
Advice Varies for Suspected Lyme Disease (Canadian Medical Association Journal) http://www.cmaj.ca/site/earlyreleases/22july14_advice-varies-for-suspected-Lyme-disease.xhtml
An interesting journal article from 1988: Seronegative Lyme Disease (New England Journal of Medicine) http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM198812013192203

Lyme Arthritis of the Pediatric Lower Extremity in the Setting of Polyarticular Disease (Journal of Children's Orthopaedics) http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11832-014-0602-3

Borrelia crocidurae Infection in Acutely Febrile Patients, Senegal (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/20/8/13-0550_article

LYME POLITICS AND CONTROVERSIES
Health Canada's New Lyme Disease Plan: You Act, We'll Watch (Maclean's) http://www.macleans.ca/society/health/health-canadas-new-lyme-disease-plan-you-act-well-watch/

FDA to Regulate Lyme, Other Diagnostic Tests (New England Center for Investigative Reporting) http://necir.org/2014/08/01/fda-to-regulate-lyme-other-diagnostic-tests-2/

House E & C Committee Passes Lyme Bill (Lyme Disease Association) http://lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php/federal-legislation/203-legislative-session-2013-2014/1250-federal-lyme-bill-passes-out-of-committee

Senate Report Outlines Plan to Combat Lyme Disease (NY Legislative Gazette) http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-07-21-88670.113122-Senate-report-outlines-plan-to-combat-Lyme-disease.html

Parting Words - And Criticism - as Dr Alison Bested Leaves BC, Returns to Ontario (Vancouver Sun) http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2014/07/22/parting-words-and-hospital-criticism-as-dr-alison-bested-leaves-b-c-returns-to-ontario/

Post from 1991 on Lyme Disease in which the CDC admits Lyme can be passed thru the placenta and be persistent (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) http://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/p0000380/p0000380.asp

OTHER NEWS, REPORTS & STORIES

Rare Tick-Borne Disease Hits New York Area (NY Daily News) http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/rare-lyme-disease-found-new-york-area-article-1.1885808

Cairns (Australia) Dad Spends Months Bedridden After Tick Bite (Cairns Post) http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/cairns-dad-spents-months-bedridden-after-tick-bite/story-fnjpusyw-1227004941551

Campaign to Battle Lyme Disease Mounts as Hampton's Epidemic Grows (New York Post) http://nypost.com/2014/07/27/campaign-to-battle-lyme-disease-mounts-as-hamptons-epidemic-grows/

Lyme Isn't the Only Tick-Borne Illness (Boston Globe) http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/07/01/doctors-urged-test-for-more-than-lyme-disease-after-tick-bite/443PKjvxln3rR0OHr5PTuL/story.html?event=event25

"Red Shoe Day" (July 25) to Honor Those Lost to Lyme Disease (LymeDisease.org) http://lymedisease.org/news/lyme_disease_views/red-shoe-day-lyme.html

Anaplasmosis in Dogs (VCA Hospitals) http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/anaplasmosis-in-dogs/6962

Lyme Disease: What You Need to Know about This Serious Infection (Dorothy Kupcha Leland, LymeDisease.org) Starts on page 30: http://www.perreault-magazine.com/
A cute cartoon because sometimes we need to laugh: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152543693649719&set=a.216892484718.128944.744074718&type=1&theater

RESOURCES

New Book: Freedom from Lyme Disease by Bryan Rosner http://lymebook.com/freedom-from-lyme-disease-bryan-rosner

Audio Interview of Jim Wilson and Rosanna Magnotta: Informing Family Caregivers about Vector-Borne Illnesses such as Lyme disease (Family Caregivers Unite) http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/78672/informing-family-caregivers-about-vector-borne-illnesses-such-as-lyme-disease

Lyme: A Silent Epidemic (Video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQIdz-sVtqw&feature=youtu.be

Other Conditions to Rule Out (National MS Society) http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/Other-Conditions-to-Rule-Out

Video: Borrelia Syndromes in Deep Tissues and in Chronic Infections, Dr Alan MacDonald https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YlUhdiA7cM&feature=youtube_gdata

Audio Interview, Edward Breitschwerdt (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) on Bartonella and other Tick-Borne Diseases (People's Pharmacy) http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/Breitschwerdt2013EXtended.mp3

Audio Interview, B. Robert Mozayeni, MD, (Rheumatologist specializing in chronic inflammatory diseases with neurovascular as well as rheumatic manifestations) on his patients diagnosed with Lyme Disease http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/MozayeniXtended.mp3

UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday, August 9: Parksville Lyme Support Group Meeting, at the Parksville Pharmasave at 1:30 pm.
Sunday, August 10: Informal Lyme Support Meeting, at Bubby's Kitchen, 355 Cook Street, Victoria, from 1 to 3 pm.

Saturday, August 16: Lyme Awareness booth at the Qualicum Beach Farmer's Market, 8:30 to Noon.

Sunday, August 24: Victoria Lyme Support Group Meeting, 1454 Hillside Avenue, from 1 to 4 pm.

September 13: Overview of the Fundamentals of Diagnosis & Treatment of Lyme Disease and Co-infections with an Emphasis on Neuropsychiatric Issues (ILADS half-day course for physicians at Monmouth University, NJ)

October 9: The Fundamentals of Diagnosing and Treating Tick-Borne Illness (ILADS one-day course for physicians in Washington, DC) http://www.ilads.org/lyme_programs/washingtondc/ilads-washingtondc-lyme-course.php?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Washington+DC+Conference+Registration&utm_content=Washington+DC+Conference+Registration+CID_2bb22400a9f6dcf1fe778b2c283ce253&utm_source=Ilads+user+email+marketing+campaign&utm_term=LEARN+MORE

October 10-12: ILADS 15th Annual Scientific Conference: Neurological Spectrum (Washington DC) http://www.ilads.org/lyme_programs/washingtondc/ilads-washingtondc-lyme-conference.php