Colorado tick fever (CTF) is a disease caused by an RNA virus, Colorado tick fever virus (CTFV). Symptoms, which are often non-specific, begin 3 to 5 days after the bite with an abrupt onset of fever and any of these: headaches, chills, malaise, photophobia, myalgias, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. In 5 to 15% […]
A new study by Richard Horowitz, MD and Phyllis Freeman, MD has been published in Antibiotics that evaluates the efficacy of using short-term high dose pulsed dapsone combination therapy (HDDCT) in the treatment of Chronic Lyme disease/Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome(PTLDS). This new study builds upon past studies conducted by Dr. Horowitz et al. and […]
Recent surveillance of Oklahoma ticks has detected, not only spreading populations of Ixodes scapularis (blacklegged ticks) but also pathogens not previously detected including bacteria, protozoans, and viruses that pose a serious risk to human health. A one-step multiplex real-time reverse transcription-PCR has detected tick-borne pathogens from a pool of 117 I. scapularis ticks collected from […]
A recent study published in the CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal finds ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis can also be transmitted through blood transfusions or organ transplants. The article states, “Since 2000, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis cases in the United States have increased substantially, resulting in potential risk to transplant and transfusion recipients.”
In a recent article, investigators describe multiple cases of organ transplant derived Ehrlichiosis infections in donor recipients. Two cases of ehrlichiosis were reported to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for investigation in 2020. These two kidney recipients from a common donor developed fatal ehrlichiosis-induced […]
Scientists used to separate ehrlichiosis into two entities caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia: Human Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (HME) and Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE). After further study, they determined that HGE is actually caused by a bacterium, Anaplasma phagacytophilum. HME is caused by a bacterium, Ehrlichia chaffeensis. Symptoms of ehrlichiosis/anaplasmosis include: fever, malaise, headaches, chills, severe muscle aches, vomiting, […]
In a recent New York City (NYC) study, researchers investigated habitat associations and pathogen status of Gulf coast ticks (Amblyomma maculatum). NYC is a newly expanded distribution range for this species. Investigators collected 88 ticks from two parks on Staten Island (NYC) and compared findings of ticks collected from similar habitats in Brooklyn from April […]
Heartland virus The virus, a Phlebovirus, was discovered in humans in 2009 in the state of Missouri and has been found to date in Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Indianan, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia. It is transmitted by Amblyomma americanum, lone star tick. Symptoms: fever, leucopenia (decrease in the number of total white blood […]
The Journal of Medical Entomology has published a recent article regarding utilization of integrated tick management (ITM). Researchers studied the effects of “configuration of bait box deployment” on the reduction of tick burden in a suburban/rural landscape. Researchers additionally investigated bait consumption and white-footed mouse (P. leucopus) abundances as a measure of the usage and […]
In a recently published review article,* authors provide a comprehensive summary of treatment options for pregnant patients with less common bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, including several tick-borne diseases (Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, human monocytic ehrlichiosis, babesiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever). This review provides guidance to clinicians based on the most recently […]
