Thanks for visiting IGeneX at the ILADS annual conference in San Antonio last week. We had a great time talking to doctors about the recent FDA clearance of the IGeneX ImmunoBlot. IGeneX also hosted a wonderful dinner with 100 doctors.
We are looking forward to next year already.
Join two of the most knowledgeable and influential members of the tick-borne disease community, Dr. Joseph Burrascano, Jr. MD and Dr. Tom Moorcroft, DO, for an immersive three-hour webinar on the diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases. Topics will include how to clinically diagnose Lyme disease and the co-infections, the most accurate testing options for each disease, custom treatment protocols, patient case studies and more.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3fCRDMNKQAqUtICbUOzYKA
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. With cases up 45% in just a few years, and now approaching 500K annually in 2022, it is more important than ever to educate your patients about Lyme. If your patients have been exposed to ticks, or are experiencing any of the common symptoms of Lyme disease, consider having them tested with IGeneX, the leader in tick-borne disease testing.
TIP #1 SAVE THE TICK
If possible, save the tick, dead or alive, in a plastic bag or tube. The tick can be tested at a lab for infections from a variety of pathogens. This can be easier than getting testing for yourself.
The lovely and talented former star of hit TV show The Bachelor is partnering with IGeneX to raise awareness for Lyme disease. The partnership arose organically, following Kelley’s Lyme disease diagnoses through IGeneX testing in 2021. The two have joined forces leading up to Lyme Awareness Month to bring attention to a critical second pandemic- Lyme and tick-borne disease- encouraging individuals to get tested.
After experiencing years of mystery symptoms, and feeling “that my body is super sensitive and I’ve always known something was a little bit off,” Kelley underwent a series of intensive tests, and discovered she was suffering from Lyme disease and several co-infections in August of 2021. Kelley has shared her struggles with her community of fans in hopes of inspiring others to seek answers for their own mystery symptoms.
Here more from Kelly in the video below!
If you think wooded or grassy areas are the only places where you need to worry about ticks on the west coast, think again. A four-year study of Lyme disease ticks in California has revealed an unusually high number of ticks on and near beaches.
The study focused on several Northern California coastal counties and surveyed around 3,000 Western blacklegged ticks, the ticks responsible for spreading Lyme disease in California, the Pacific Northwest, and parts of the American Southwest.
While it is unsurprising that ticks would thrive in coastal counties, since ticks need warm weather and humidity, researchers in the study are not sure what animal is responsible for spreading the ticks to beaches. Lyme disease ticks in California prefer to feed on mammals such as the western gray squirrel, which is not commonly found in beach scrub.
One thing researchers are not unsure about is the fact that these findings are part of a larger trend of tick expansion. As climate change creates warmer, wetter conditions in more geographical areas than before, ticks – including the Western blacklegged tick – continue to spread to new areas and carry diseases with them. Speaking to the LA Times in the article linked above, Bay Area Lyme Foundation president Linda Giampa confirms that incidences of Lyme disease in California are likely to be increasing.
She also says research shows increasing hot spots in Southern California cities, including Malibu, Newport Beach, and Manhattan Beach.
With the expansion of Lyme disease ticks in California, it’s worth noting what other types of ticks to watch out for on the west coast and what types of diseases they carry.
As discussed, the main vector of Lyme disease in California and the Pacific Northwest is the Western blacklegged tick, Ixodes pacificus. It is the western counterpart to the Eastern blacklegged tick or “deer tick,” Ixodes scapularis, responsible for Lyme disease in Midwestern and Eastern regions of the U.S. Besides Lyme disease, both the Western and Eastern blacklegged ticks are known to carry Borrelia miyamotoi, which causes Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, as well as Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma.
Other types of disease-carrying ticks in California include:
The ticks listed above are what are known as hard ticks (PDF), so named for the hard outer shell called the dorsal shield on their backs. California is also home to several species of soft ticks, which mostly affect livestock and poultry. However, soft ticks can and do spread disease to humans – particularly Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever through the spread of a pathogen called B. hermsii.
Though climate change is expanding the times of year when ticks can survive, bite, and spread disease, people living in California and the Pacific Northwest are at the highest risk for Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases during the summer.
As tick geography and seasonality expand, it’s more important than ever to prevent tick bites when outdoors. One great preventative action is to use LivLyme’s Tick Tracker app to educate yourself on the ticks present in areas where you live and recreate. The app, available for iOS and Android, lets users track and report ticks in real-time.
The study on Lyme disease ticks in California cited at the start of this article is just the latest reminder that tick-borne diseases are on the rise. To prevent complications and the development of chronic symptoms resulting from a tick bite, it’s imperative to get tested at a reputable lab with the most accurate technology available. Learn more about IGeneX’s testing kits today.
As a leading provider of diagnostic testing for tick-borne diseases, IGeneX is dedicated to keeping the Lyme and tick-borne disease community informed about the latest developments in tick-borne disease research, testing, treatment, and more.
In this tick-borne and Lyme disease news roundup, read about a New York state senator’s efforts to secure funding for tick-borne disease research, the release of the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group’s 2020 report to Congress, and a study that found Lyme-causing pathogens in birds.
This month, the New York state legislature is deciding on its budget for the fiscal year 2021-2022. When it became evident that the budget included no money for research on Lyme and tick-borne diseases, State Senator Sue Serino assembled a bipartisan coalition to address this issue, citing the fact that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has increased their estimate of Lyme cases diagnosed in the U.S. every year from around 300,000 to 476,000.
In a virtual press conference, Senator Serino and the coalition of lawmakers, researchers, and advocates from across New York advocated for $1.5 million in funding for research, education, and prevention of Lyme and tick-borne diseases, which – though they affect people across all 50 states – are a major danger in New York and other parts of New England.
Echoing the concerns cited by Senator Sue Serino above, the national Tick-Borne Disease Working Group provided a robust 2020 report to Congress (PDF) spanning a wide range of issues related to Lyme and other tick-borne diseases in the U.S. Among the issues highlighted are:
Scientists have long known that migratory birds affect the spread of tick-borne disease pathogens. Ticks attached to migrating birds travel with the flock, bringing along pathogens that spread Lyme disease, Spotted Fever, Babesiosis, Bartonellosis, Ehrlichiosis, and Anaplasmosis.
However, a new study shows that half of sampled birds representing 183 different species showed evidence of competence for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which causes Lyme disease. In other words, in addition to being efficient feeders and transporters of ticks, many birds are also competent hosts of Lyme-causing pathogens themselves. This suggests that birds may play an even greater role than previously recognized in the spread of tick-borne diseases.
IGeneX stays on top of tick-borne disease news in order to make its diagnostic testing as responsive as possible to the needs of the Lyme and tick-borne disease community. Learn more about testing for tick-borne diseases with IGeneX today.
Contrary to popular belief, Lyme disease is not something you only have to worry about during the summer months. While it is true that ticks are most active during warmer weather, there are species of ticks that can and do survive colder temperatures. What’s more, the “tick season” is evolving and expanding as global temperatures rise.
Yes, you can get Lyme disease in the winter. Unfortunately, you can also get one of the many other tick-borne diseases endemic to North America outside of typical “summer months.” Below, learn more about what makes Lyme and other tick-borne diseases a risk all year-round.
The Eastern and Western blacklegged tick, AKA deer tick – the tick that causes Lyme disease – can survive temperatures just above freezing when snow is not present. This makes it possible to find active adult female ticks in cold weather if they do not find a sufficient meal by the end of fall. Thus, it is absolutely possible to be bitten and infected by a tick during the winter.
Those on the west coast should be particularly cautious, as snow is not typical during west coast winters. California, in particular, is known for moderate year-round temperatures.
Of course, some mitigating factors present in the winter are not present in the summer. So, while ticks can survive in the cold, people are less likely to come into contact with them. For one, outdoor activity in the winter typically requires warm clothing, so parts of the body where ticks most like to bite (such as the underarms, behind the knees, and near the groin) are typically covered up. Plus, many people simply spend less time outdoors during the winter because of the cold.
However, with outdoor activity still a safer option than indoor gatherings because of COVID-19, those enjoying nature this winter should still take precautions to protect themselves against tick-borne disease.
Just as the temperate climate of the west coast makes winter riskier for tick-borne disease than some other regions, the warmer winter temperatures of the southeast and southwest mean that tick-borne disease is a threat throughout the year. In addition to Lyme, the Gulf Coast tick can spread a form of spotted fever, while the Lone Star tick has a range of dangerous diseases, including tularemia, ehrlichiosis, and more.
As covered in more detail in a previous Tick Talk article Lyme Disease and Climate Change: What You Need to Know, climate change significantly affects tick season. Ticks and the mammalian hosts they depend on for food are most active during warmer weather. This makes sense, as warm weather is easier to survive than harsh winter temperatures.
As average winter temperatures get warmer because of climate change, expect to see longer tick seasons – i.e., more extended periods of activity for ticks that cause Lyme and other diseases.
As covered above, Lyme disease is typically associated with the summer months, though the blacklegged tick can be active and spread disease from mid-March to November and into the winter. However, this is only one of many possible diseases you can get from a tick.
For example, more and more attention is being paid to Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF). Unlike Lyme, TBRF is spread mostly by soft ticks. These ticks have much longer lifespans than hard ticks like the blacklegged tick – up to 10 years in some cases. They also tend to find hosts by entering their homes – e.g., animal burrows or rodent-infested cabins – rather than “questing” like hard ticks. Finally, one type of TBRF – called B. miyamotoi disease by the CDC – is spread by the same blacklegged ticks that spread Lyme, meaning you can catch TBRF in the winter just like you can catch Lyme in the winter.
If you think you’ve come into contact with ticks in cold weather or if you’ve been experiencing symptoms of a possible tick-borne disease, don’t write it off simply because it’s winter. Lyme and other tick-borne diseases can be transmitted anywhere, any time of year. Therefore, it’s crucial that you document your symptoms and get tested for tick-borne diseases, then discuss your results with a trusted doctor to prevent any delays in diagnosis.
After the shock and uncertainty most of the world suffered early last year when the COVID-19 outbreak first took off, it seems impossible to make any predictions about what 2021 might look like. Still, recent developments in the Lyme world point to some exciting trends in Lyme disease research to keep an eye on this year, including:
Though the vaccine take-off in the U.S. has been much slower than promised, there is still hope that enough people will be vaccinated in the coming months for some aspects of life to return somewhat to normal. If travel once again becomes safe, we might see a pent-up demand to travel and get outdoors leading to higher incidences of tick-borne disease cases.
Even if social distancing remains necessary and travel is still restricted, outdoor activity has become one of the few safe ways to exercise and recreate amid the pandemic. With increased outdoor activity comes increased risk of tick-borne diseases.
The CDC already reports an estimated total of about 400,000 cases of Lyme disease per year. Recently, they’ve revised that number to about 476,000, and some experts think the number could eclipse 500,000 in 2021.
In December 2020, the president signed off on increased federal funding for Lyme disease across a range of areas, including CDC surveillance. The new policies will also make it easier for the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases to continue to get more funding every year.
Another research project recently underway will study immune responses to Borrelia in a human tissue context. The goal of the study is to increase understanding of Lyme bacteria in the body in order to develop better diagnostics and treatments, but the researchers hope it will have implications for other diseases that cause chronic symptoms and inflammation, particularly those affecting women.
Finally, a study published in early 2021 shed light on Lyme carditis as an early symptom of Lyme disease. Such studies point to the possibility that this year will bring more research into some of the lesser-known but dangerous symptoms of Lyme.
Last year saw quite a few high-profile celebrities speaking out about their experiences with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases, including Justin Bieber. Amid some in the media and medical field treating chronic Lyme with skepticism, many of these celebrities have used their platforms to spread awareness about the realities of chronic Lyme.
The COVID-19 pandemic still has most of us isolated at home and using social media more than ever. This year, celebrity advocacy will likely continue to provide much needed resources and connection for the chronic illness and tick-borne communities.
Epidemiologists and infectious disease experts continue to keep an eye on both new tick-borne pathogens and known pathogens that are increasing in numbers or spreading geographically. For example, the CDC has recognized Borrelia miyamotoi disease – also known as hard tick Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever – as an emerging tick-borne disease.
Another trend to note is that cases of Babesiosis, caused by a malaria-like parasite that infects red blood cells and is transmitted by ticks in North America, are spreading geographically and increasing in number.
The past few years have revealed interconnections between climate, human activity, and infectious diseases that many in the scientific community now refer to as a “one health” approach to disease prevention. Ebola originally crossed over to humans from wild game, and COVID-19 is known to affect many species beyond humans, from cats to minks and now gorillas.
Many may not know that Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are also affected by environmental factors. Global warming has been extending tick season and tick geography, leading to an increase in tick-borne disease cases. As this trend is poised to continue, the “one health” approach may lead to more holistic public health solutions.
2021 is likely to see significant advancements in testing for tick-borne diseases. IGeneX is excited to continue developing accurate, sensitive testing for every major tick-borne disease, in addition to sponsoring organizations, such as Advocacy Express, which helped secure $91,000,000 in funding for Lyme disease legislation through 2021.
If you are a Lyme patient or know someone who has Lyme or another tick-borne illness, you may be wondering what you need to know about COVID-19 in light of Lyme-related health concerns. Below, read a roundup of the latest news on the intersection between the novel coronavirus and Lyme disease.
Lyme and other tick-borne diseases can compromise the immune system, making it harder to fight off illnesses like COVID-19. Additionally, a compromised immune system may make it more likely that a COVID infection will have more severe symptoms and/or require hospitalization.
Patients with untreated, undertreated, and/or chronic Lyme may be at higher risk and should take extra care to follow the latest COVID safety precautions.
A recent study observed the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the timely diagnosis of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
The study found that certain effects of COVID on healthcare delivery – including increased telehealth appointments, reduced office visits, and in some cases the requirement of negative COVID test results before the performance of other tests, surgeries, and procedures – resulted in a delayed diagnosis of a tick-borne disease in at least three adult patients. One patient whose erythema migrans rash was missed during a telehealth appointment went on to develop severe cardiac Lyme requiring hospitalization.
These results are worrisome considering the risks of a delayed or missed diagnosis of a tick-borne illness. Untreated Lyme can affect the heart, brain, and other body systems, and become a chronic condition.
If you believe you’re at risk for Lyme or are currently being treated for Lyme or another tick-borne illness, it’s important that you keep up with your medical appointments and communicate clearly with your health team.
We’re currently in the midst of flu season and the COVID pandemic. And while peak tick season is summer, people can get tick-borne diseases any time of year. So if you develop flu-like symptoms, how do you know what you have?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics but for which there is currently no vaccine for humans. COVID-19 is a virus for which a vaccine is finally on the horizon, but there is currently no cure. Additionally, Lyme and other tick-borne diseases spread from ticks to people, not from people to people as does the novel coronavirus.
However, there may be some similarities in symptoms of Lyme, other tick-borne diseases, and COVID-19.
Symptoms of both Lyme and COVID-19 can vary widely from person to person. However, some symptoms that can show up in both multiple stages of Lyme disease and COVID-19 are:
Additionally, since COVID-19 is still such a new illness, people are reporting new and unusual symptoms every day, including skin problems, discoloration, and rashes that may be confused with rashes caused by tick-borne diseases.
The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) recently held a conference on the intersection of the novel coronavirus and Lyme disease. The conference highlighted, among other issues, the “one health” framework, examining how interactions between humans, other species, and the planetary environment contribute to the spread, study, and treatment of infectious diseases like Lyme and COVID-19.
IGeneX is at the forefront of tick-borne disease testing. In addition to testing for Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses, we also offer COVID-19 testing (both active infection and antibody tests). Learn more today.
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For the most up to date and accurate information and articles about ticks and tick-borne diseases, please visit Tick Talk Resource.
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