National Lyme Disease Association President Addresses Maryland House of Delegates Rural Caucus

Throughout her presentation, Ms. Smith mentioned spreading tick populations, new strains of the bacteria that cause Lyme and new organisms being carried by ticks. The LDA has funded research mapping the genome of different strains of the Lyme disease bacterium, the mapping carried out by The Institute for Genomic Research, TIGR, in Rockville. The research has shown that different strains can mix their genetic material, giving the bacteria better survival characteristics.

LDA has also funded a joint NASA/NIH research project taking place at the National Institutes of Health which is looking at the bacterium found in a much more aggressive tick which is expanding its range–traditionally a southern one, and now as far north as Massachusetts and Maine. The lone star tick carries a bacterium similar to the one which cases Lyme disease but it produces a Lyme-like disease called STARI (Southern tick-associated rash illness) which is found in Maryland patients.

The LDA and the Army have been sharing tick research information, and she informed the delegates about work from US Army CHPPM, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, which has developed a laptop sized device which can test ticks in the field for any known pathogen so that troops could eventually be able to receive immediate treatment for tick-bites in the field. This research needs to be brought into the civilian arena, she told the Army on her visit there.

Unfortunately, the government is not focusing enough monies on the disease, $32.6 million in 2005 compared to West Nile Virus at $80.8 million. Therefore, LDA and its allied organizations support the passage of HR 741, introduced into the US House of Representatives in January 2007. Six of 8 Maryland Congressman are already co-sponsors of the Smith/Stupak bill, which provides $100 million over 5 years for research, prevention, physician education and formation of a federal task force.

LDA and four congressmen including Wayne Gilchrest (MD-1) met with CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding in July of 2006 to discuss the lack of focus on the disease and policies which affect diagnosis and treatment of patients. The CDC and LA have had continued dialogue on this issue.

Ms. Smith made the delegates aware of the investigation initiated by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. This action has been taken against the Infectious Diseases Society of America who recently released guidelines that recommend against doctor discretion and against all forms of treatment for chronic Lyme disease. The restrictive guidelines are causing insurance companies to cut off patients and causing some doctors not to treat chronic Lyme disease, a debilitating condition which can attack the joints, muscles, heart, and the brain