Recent Lyme Research, Politics, News, Stories and Resources

RESEARCH AND JOURNAL ARTICLES

Chronic Neuroborreliosis by B. garinii:  an Unusual Case Presenting with Epilepsy and Multifocal Brain MRI Lesions  (New Microbiologica) http://www.newmicrobiologica.org/PUB/allegati_pdf/2014/3/393.pdf

CD4+ T Cells Promote Antibody Production but not Sustained Affinity Maturation during Borrelia burgdorferi Infection  (American Society for Microbiology; Infection and Immunity) http://iai.asm.org/content/early/2014/10/08/IAI.02471-14

EDITORIAL:  Is There a Place for Xenodiagnosis in the Clinic?  (Informahealthcare.com)  http://informahealthcare.com/doi/pdf/10.1586/14787210.2014.966084

The Western Progression of Lyme Disease:  Infectious and Non-clonal Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato Populations in Grand Forks County, North Dakota  (American Society for Microbiology, Applied and Environmental Microbiology)  http://aem.asm.org/content/early/2014/10/06/AEM.02422-14.abstract?related-urls=yes&legid=aem%3BAEM.02422-14v1  

Detection of Rickettsia felis, Rickettsia typhi, Bartonella Species and Yersinia pestis in Fleas (Siphonaptera) from Africa  (PLOS Medicine) http://www.plosntds.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pntd.0003152?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+plosntds%2FNewArticles+%28PLOS+Neglected+Tropical+Diseases+-+New+Articles%29

Assessing the Contribution of Songbirds to the Movement of Ticks and Borrelia burgdorferi in the Midwestern United States During Fall Migration (Eco Health) http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10393-014-0982-3

Climate Change and Habitat Fragmentation Drive the Occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the Agent of Lyme Disease, at the Northeastern Limit of its Distribution  (Evolutionary Applications) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/eva.12165/abstract;jsessionid=908DEF8A524E10C9A907B4169AF5658C.f01t04

Tick-borne Disease Research Aims to Develop New Vaccines (Phys.org) http://phys.org/wire-news/174225949/tick-borne-disease-research-aims-to-develop-new-vaccines.html

Sequence and Annotation of the Apicoplast Genome of the Human Pathogen Babesia microti  (PLOS ONE)  http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0107939

Granulomatous Hepatitis Associated with Chronic Borrelia burgdorferi infection:  A Case Report  (Labome.org)  http://www.labome.org/research/Granulomatous-hepatitis-associated-with-chronic-Borrelia-burgdorferi-infection-a-case-report.html

Ticks May Transmit Disease Faster than Currently Thought  (Reuters)  http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/22/us-health-ticks-disease-transmission-idUSKBN0GM1OP20140822

And here's the original journal article:  (CDC)  Feeding Period Required by Amblyomma aureolatum Ticks for Transmission of Rickettsia rickettsii to Vertebrate Hosts http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/20/9/14-0189_article

Lyme Arthritis of the Pediatric Ankle (Helio)   http://www.healio.com/orthopedics/journals/ortho/2014-10-37-10/%7Bc6709629-245e-4d51-beb4-c0e6c8654843%7D/lyme-arthritis-of-the-pediatric-ankle

LYME POLITICS AND CONTROVERSIES

New Legislation to Create Lyme Disease Task Force, Focuses on Prevention  (Evening Sun)  http://www.eveningsun.com/local/ci_26711124/new-legislation-create-lyme-disease-task-force-focuses

Lyme Patients Infiltrate IDWeek Medical Conference, Call on IDSA Members for Help  (WebWire)  http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=191763#.VD8-NVdW_nF

Lyme Disease Symposium Calls for DNA Tests for Faster, More Reliable Diagnosis and Better Patient Care  (Business Wire)  http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140916005309/en/Lyme-Disease-Symposium-Calls-DNA-Tests-Faster#.VD8-z1dW_nF

'Chronic Lyme Disease' Debate Reaches Capital (Healthline) http://www.healthline.com/health-news/lyme-debate-reaches-capital-100714#2

LYMEPOLICYWONK: Two-Tiered Lab Testing for Lyme Disease - No Better than a Coin Toss.  Time for Change? (LymeDisease.org)  http://lymedisease.org/news/lymepolicywonk/lymepolicywonk-two-tiered-lab-testing-for-lyme-disease%E2%80%94no-better-than-a-coin-toss-time-for-change.html

 Calling for a Congressional Investigation of the CDC, IDSA and ALDF (Change.org)  https://www.change.org/p/the-us-senate-calling-for-a-congressional-investigation-of-the-cdc-idsa-and-aldf/u/8373044?recruiter=31031138&utm_source=share_update&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=facebook_link&fb_action_ids=10154723853940571&fb_action_types=og.shares  (I don't normally include petitions, but the information shared in it is really quite useful)

Learn More about the Lyme War (WGBH News)  http://wgbhnews.org/post/learn-more-about-lyme-war

OTHER NEWS, REPORTS & STORIES

The Charles E Holman Morgellons Disease Foundation Boosts Truth of Morgellons  (Bioportfolio)  http://www.bioportfolio.com/news/article/2095823/The-Charles-E-Holman-Morgellons-Disease-Foundation-Boosts-Truth-of-Morgellons-in.html

PERSONAL NOTES:  ILADS Sound Bites Day 1, Oct 9, 2014  (Lyme Whisperer Blog)  http://lymewhisperer.com/2014/10/09/ilads-sound-bites-1092014/

ILADS Sound Bites Day 2, Oct 10, 2014 (Lyme Whisperer Blog)  http://lymewhisperer.com/2014/10/10/ilads-sound-bites-101014/

ILADS Sound Bites Day 3, Oct 11 2014  (Lyme Whisperer Blog)  http://lymewhisperer.com/2014/10/12/ilads-sound-bites-day-3-101114/

Fright Night Fundraiser Tackles Lyme Disease Near Orangeville (Orangeville Banner)  http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/4908991-fright-night-fundraiser-tackles-lyme-disease-near-orangeville/

Is your Fibromyalgia Patient a Candidate for Lyme Disease Treatment?  (Dr Daniel Cameron)  http://danielcameronmd.com/fibromyalgia-patient-candidate-lyme-disease-treatment/

Monogamous?  This STD Doesn't Care (The Good Men Project) http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/monogamous-std-doesnt-care-shesaid/

Lyme Disease in Canada (Vitality Magazine)  http://vitalitymagazine.com/article/lyme-disease-in-canada/  (A few months old but I missed this excellent article!)

Please Take The Lyme Sucks Challenge  (CanLyme)  http://canlyme.com/2014/10/06/please-take-the-lyme-sucks-challenge/

"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

Think Like a Doctor:  Mirror, Mirror, Solved!  (New York Times)  http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/10/03/think-like-a-doctor-mirror-mirror-solved/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Tick Bite Sent Rams' Wells to Intensive Care (St Louis Post-Dispatch)  http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/tick-bite-sent-rams-wells-to-intensive-care/article_c9f348c7-8803-50af-a20c-e63a2288d92a.html

And for some Lyme humor, see Attachments "You know you are a Lymey..." and "Lyme Bingo"

RESOURCES

VIDEO:  Adrenal Fatigue and Interpreting your Cortisol Lab Tests  (Just in Health, Wellness Clinic)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx4aLI1ZyqU&feature=youtu.be

VIDEO:  Conversations with Marty Ross MD, October 8, 2014  (TreatLyme.net)  http://www.treatlyme.net/marty-ross-md-webinar-10082014/

VIDEO:  Ashwaghanda in Chronic Lyme Disease  (Marty Ross, MD)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0VQabqXQCw

VIDEO:  Helping the Body Beat Lyme Disease (Dr David Jernigan)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8_dyHJWR7U

VIDEOS:  How to Read your Genetic Profile (23andme) Without Going Crazy (Pt 1) and How to Read Your 23andme Without Going Crazy (Pt2)  (Dr Jess Armine) http://www.blogtalkradio.com/drjessarmine

NEW BOOK:  Recipes for Repair, a Lyme Disease Cookbook  Recipes based on anti-inflammation diet developed by Kenneth B. Singleton (Gail and Laura Piazza)  http://www.amazon.com/Recipes-Repair-Disease-Cookbook-anti-inflammation-ebook/dp/B00H5CDW8S/ref=sr_1_15?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1413139139&sr=1-15&keywords=lyme+disease

UPDATED ARTICLES:  Kills Babesia - a Brief Guide (Oct 4 2014)  (Marty Ross, MD)  http://www.treatlyme.net/treat-lyme-book/kills-babesia-a-brief-guide.html

Herxheimer Die-Off Reaction: Inflammation Run Amok (Sept 28 2014)  (Marty Ross, MD)  http://www.treatlyme.net/treat-lyme-book/herxheimer-die-off-reaction-inflammation-run-amok.html

Kills Yeast - A Brief Guide (Oct 5 2014)  (Marty Ross, MD) http://www.treatlyme.net/treat-lyme-book/kills-yeast-a-brief-guide.html

Drug Interaction Checker  (MedScape)  http://reference.medscape.com/drug-interactionchecker  (Always check with your physician and pharmacist as well)

The Real Deal on Adrenal Fatigue (Robb Wolf)   http://robbwolf.com/2012/04/09/real-deal-adrenal-fatigue/  (Please note that Robb Wolf is not a physician)

Mozi-Q  (a homeopathic insect repellent that was featured on Dragon's Den)  http://www.mozi-q.com/  (Not sure if this is effective but will be interesting to follow.)

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 26:  Victoria Lyme Support Group Meeting, 1454 Hillside Avenue, 1 - 4 p.m. Presentation at 1 p.m. by Dr Barbara Dyble and Stephen Davis of Valentus Clinics 

November 8:  Lyme Info table at Cabela's in Nanaimo, 12 noon to 3 p.m.

November 8:  Parksville Lyme Support Group Meeting, 1:30 p.m.  In the meeting room next to Pharmasave  

November 9:  Victoria Informal Meeting - coffee and conversation, 1 - 3 p.m.  Location to be announced

February 6-7, 2015:  The Fundamentals of Diagnosing and Treating Tick-Borne Illness (ILADS course for physicians in Banff, Alberta)  http://www.ilads.org/lyme_programs/banff/ilads-banff-lyme-course.php

Note:  CanLyme is offering grants for first time attending physicians to attend this ILADS course.   Contact Jim Wilson:  jimwilson@telus.net.

Recent Lyme , Research, Politics, News, Stories and Resources

RESEARCH AND JOURNAL ARTICLES

1. Blood Transfusion Transmission of the Tick-borne Relapsing Fever Spirochete Borrelia miyamotoi in Mice  (Wiley Online Library/TransfusioN) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/trf.12879/abstract;jsessionid=1792E038B8E13779B1282D749D549FA0.f02t01
2. Tick Bite Prophylaxis:  Results from a 2012 Survey of Healthcare Providers  (Wiley Online Library/Zoonoses and Public Health)  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/zph.12159/abstract;jsessionid=E42492E68710B5F0317C4598B2591FA3.f02t04
3. Chronic Lyme Borreliosis at the Root of Multiple Sclerosis - is a Cure with Antibiotics Attainable?  (PubMed)  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15617845
4. New Insights into Stages of Lyme Disease Symptoms from a Novel Hospital-Based Registry  (Journal of Primary Care & Community Health)  http://jpc.sagepub.com/content/5/4/284
5. Blood-cleansing Device Developed for Sepsis Therapy  (Wyss Institute, Harvard)   http://wyss.harvard.edu/viewpressrelease/166
6. Bartonnella sp. Bacteremia in Patients with Neurological and Neurocognitive Dysfunction  (Journal of Clinical Microbiology)  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2546763/?report=reader
7. Relapsing Fever Group Borrelia in Southern California Rodents  (Journal of Medical Entomology)  http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1603%2FME1402

LYME POLITICS AND CONTROVERSIES

1. Canada's Bill C-442, An Act respecting a Federal Framework on Lyme Disease Passes 2nd Reading in the Senate (CanLyme)  http://canlyme.com/2014/09/20/canadas-bill-c-442-an-act-respecting-a-federal-framework-on-lyme-disease-passes-2nd-reading-in-the-senate/
2. Dr Daniel Cameron on his recent meeting with Canadian physicians and Lyme advocates  https://www.facebook.com/danielcameronmd/photos/a.1412083505743900.1073741832.1385173171768267/1475902599361990/?type=1&theater
3. Mothers May Pass Lyme Disease to Children in the Womb  (Daily Climate/Scientific American)  http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mothers-may-pass-lyme-disease-to-children-in-the-womb/
4. Obama Plan to Fight Antibiotic Resistance May Limit Treatment for Lyme Disease (Dr. Daniel Cameron)  http://danielcameronmd.com/obama-plan-fight-antibiotic-resistance-may-limit-antibiotic-treatment-lyme-disease/
5. Lyme Disease Surges North, and Canada Moves Out of Denial  (Daily Climate/Scientific American)  http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/lyme-disease-surges-north/
6. Lyme Activists Target IDSA's IDWeek Conference  (Web Wire)    http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=190933#.VCySEldW_nE
7. Lyme Patients to Hold Candlelight Vigil to Commemorate Lives Lost  (Web Wire)  http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=191219#.VCyShldW_nE
8. LYMEPOLICYWONK:  Persistence Personified in Lyme Disease - Those Pesky Human Cases  (lymedisease.org)  http://lymedisease.org/news/lymepolicywonk/lymepolicywonk-persistence-personified-in-lyme-disease-those-pesky-human-cases.html
9. TOUCHED BY LYME:  Washington Post Writer's Question about Lyme Disease  (lymedisease.org)  http://lymedisease.org/news/touchedbylyme/wapo-lyme-questions.html
10. See link in this response to read the original article in the Washington Post.
11. Predator Doctors Take Advantage of Patients with 'Chronic Lyme' Scam  (The Daily Beast)   http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/19/predator-doctors-take-advantage-of-patients-with-chronic-lyme-scam.html?via=desktop
12. Summary of New York Times Protest, in Words and Photos  (lymedisease.org)  http://lymedisease.org/news/lyme_disease_views/nyt-lyme-protest-summary.html

OTHER NEWS, REPORTS & STORIES

1. Top Doc:  Dr Gregory Taylor Named Canada's New Chief Medical Officer  (Vancouver Sun)  http://www.vancouversun.com/touch/health/Gregory+Taylor+named+Canadas+chief+public+health+officer/10231811/story.html?rel=797049
2. TOUCHED BY LYME:  When Family Members Don't Believe You Have Lyme  (lymedisease.org)  http://lymedisease.org/news/touchedbylyme/lymedad.html
3. The Move to "Active Surveillance" in the Fight Against Lyme Disease  (BC Global)  http://globalnews.ca/news/1591285/the-move-to-active-surveillance-in-the-fight-against-lyme-disease/
4. Lyme Research Alliance Awards Nearly $600,000 in New Grants  (PR Web)  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/10/prweb12209113.htm
5. New Yorkers Call Lyme Disease the New Plague  (Truthout)  http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/26397-new-yorkers-call-lyme-disease-the-new-plague
6. Onaway Man Almost Dies from Allergic Reaction  (PIAdvance.com)  http://demo.piadvance.com/2014/09/onaway-man-almost-dies-from-allergic-reaction/
7. Tick-Borne Disease on the Rise, Thanks to Global Warming  (Daily Climate/Scientific American)  http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/tick-borne-diseases-on-the-rise-thanks-to-global-warming/
8. Has Climate Change Made Lyme Disease Worse? (Daily Climate/Scientific American) http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/has-climate-change-made-lyme-disease-worse/
9. LYMEPOLICYWONK:  Ticks Transmit a World of Disease and Co-infections into the Lives of Lyme Patients  (lymedisease.org)  http://lymedisease.org/news/lymepolicywonk/lymepolicywonk-ticks-transmit-a-world-of-disease-and-co-infections-into-the-lives-of-lyme-patients.html
10. Her Day was Getting Up, Eating if She Could, then Crawling back to Bed  (Daily Climate)  http://www.dailyclimate.org/tdc-newsroom/2014/09/us-lyme-disease
11. Paterson Back to Race Against XTERRA US Champs  (Triathlete eu)   http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2014/09/19/paterson-back-to-race-xterra-us-champs
12. Small, Fast and Crowded:  Mammal Traits Amplify Tick-Borne Illness  (Science Daily)  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140918141550.htm
13. VIDEO:  The Disease Victims are Fighting Have Acknowledged (Current Affair, MSN, Australia)   http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/8904535/the-disease-victims-are-fighting-to-have-acknowledged
14. YOUTUBE:  Lyme Disease?  Bah!  The Very Idea!   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVcRwnKln4w&feature=youtu.be

RESOURCES

1. WEBINAR:  Dr Marty Ross' free webinars are back after a summer break.  http://www.treatlyme.net/marty-ross-md-conversations
2. NEW BOOK:  Gifted and Sick:  Life at the Intersection of High Ability and Neuroimmune Disease  (A.M. Runyan)  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MNR7AI8/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00MNR7AI8&linkCode=as2&tag=freideblo06-20&linkId=RFGOKH3PXFRBURBF
3. How These Five Strategies Help Your Tendons and Joints to Heal from Ciprofloxacin Damage  (Greg Lee)  http://goodbyelyme.com/heal_cipro_damage
4. (Not new but useful)  Comparison Chart of Lyme Disease and Co-infections Symptoms  http://www.lyme-symptoms.com/LymeCoinfectionChart.html
5. The Glass Ball Foundation  http://www.glassballfoundation.com/About.html
6. Dr Marcus Ettinger's Biofilm Protocol for Lyme and Gut Pathogens (AdvancedHealing.com)  http://www.advancedhealing.com/dr-ettingers-biofilm-protocol-for-lyme-and-gut-pathogens/
7. Information About the Role of Mold Toxins in Chronic Neuroimmune Disease (Paradigm Change)  http://paradigmchange.me/
8. Plaquenil Risk Calculator  (Eye Dock)  http://www.eyedock.com/index.php?option=com_jumi&fileid=8&Itemid=73
9. Four Herbs for Busting Bartonella  (Greg Lee)  http://goodbyelyme.com/free_articles/coinfections/busting-bartonella
10. Dr Sam Donta's Published Protocol on Lyme Disease  (Kaiser Papers)   http://www.kaiserpapers.org/co/donta9d.html
11. Living with Chronic Illnesses  (Holistic Help)  http://www.holistichelp.net/chronic-illness.html
12. FOR TEENS:  Dealing with a Health Condition  (Kids Health)  http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/deal_chronic_illness.html#
13. Exercise for Lyme Disease  (Dr Raj Patel)  http://www.drrajpatel.net/index.php/lyme-m/lymeexercise-m

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 4:  Lyme Info table at Cabela's in Nanaimo, 12 noon to 3 pm

October 6-13:  Free online seminar:  Natural Cures Summit  http://naturalcuressummit.com/

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

Note:  CanLyme is offering grants for first time attending physicians to attend this ILADS course.   Contact Jim Wilson:  jimwilson@telus.net.

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

October 11:  Parksville Lyme Support Group Meeting, at the Parksville Pharmasave at 1:30 p.m.

October 12:  Victoria Informal Gathering at Bubbie's Kitchen, 355 Cook Street, Victoria 1 - 3 p.m.

October 26:  Victoria Lyme Support Group Meeting, 1454 Hillside Avenue, 1 - 4 p.m. Presentation at 1 p.m. by Dr Barbara Dyble and Stephen Davis of Valentus Clinics on their recent trials with 14 Lyme patients.

February 6-7, 2015:  The Fundamentals of Diagnosing and Treating Tick-Borne Illness (ILADS course for physicians in Banff, Alberta)  http://www.ilads.org/lyme_programs/banff/ilads-banff-lyme-course.php

Note:  CanLyme is offering grants for first time attending physicians to attend this ILADS course.   Contact Jim Wilson:  jimwilson@telus.net.

AGENDA – Sunday, September 28, 2014

MEETING INFORMATION Meetings are held on the fourth Sunday of each month at the Yakimovich Wellness Centre, in the Hillside Seniors’ Health Centre, 1454 Hillside Avenue, Victoria. There is pay parking around the back of the building.  Coffee and tea are provided free of charge.  Snacks to share are always appreciated.  We ask that you not wear any fragrances for those who are sensitive. Please let us know if there is anything you would like us to add to the agenda (news, discussion topic, etc) by emailing us at victorialyme@gmail.com PRESENTATION:  1 - 2 p.m. This month we will be showing "EMERGENCE", the new sequel to the Lyme documentary, "Under Our Skin".  Please do you best to arrive on time so we can start at 1 p.m.  This showing is intended for our members since we only have space for 50 people - if your spouse is accompanying you to the support meeting, they are also welcome.  We will have a public viewing later to which you can invite your friends, colleagues, and other family members.   INTRODUCTIONS & SUPPORT FOR MEMBERS:  2:15 - 3:15 pm Welcome message to new members.  This part of our meetings is for members to introduce themselves, to share their concerns and ask questions.   NEW ITEMS and UPDATES:  3:30 - 4 pm New Items  1.  Submissions to the Finance Committee. 2.  FOI request 3.  Bill C-442  4.  Awareness activities - Qualicum Farmers' Market, Cabelas in Nanaimo, and Thrifty Foods. 5.  CanLyme offering limited number of grants to physicians to attend ILADS training.  October 9-12 in Washington, DC, or February 6-7, 2015 in Banff.  (contact JimWilson@telus.net) 6.  Home Support Services from VIHA.  http://www.viha.ca/hcc/services/home_support.htm       Seniors Helping Seniors  http://www.seniorsservingseniors.bc.ca/resources.asp 7.  Discount for printing and office supplies for our group at Staples.  Updates 1.  "Let's Talk About Lyme" T-shirts.  We have a new supply of t-shirts for sale.  $10 each. 2.  Group 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.  3.  Facebook Group.  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.    4. Tick Test Kits from Janet Sperling.  Due to the new costs involved in tick identification ($30) and testing for ticks ($35) fromveterinarians, 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. 5.  Group Financial Report  INFORMAL MEETING:  Sunday, October 12, 2014, at "Bubbies Kitchen", 355 Cook Street, Victoria NEXT REGULAR MEETING:  Sunday, October 26, 2014   _________________________________________ INFORMATION  Keep up with the latest Lyme news:  http://canlyme.com/news/ http://www.ilads.org/ilads_news/     http://lymedisease.org/news/index.php