CHRONIC LYME DISEASE MAY ACTUALLY EXIST – BUT NOT LIKE WE THOUGHT

If there was one saying that was true for Lyme Disease it would be, “The more I understand, the more confused I become.” In the 32 years since Lyme was named as the disease making several people sick in Lyme, CT, we know much more about the disease. Recent research is indicating it’s not a singular bacteria disease. In fact, scientists think there may be over 300 different strains of the disease, according to Maryland Lyme, a website dedicated to educating the public about the disease.

With more than 300 strains of Borrelia spirochetes identified, there are also three forms of the spirochete itself. This new understanding about the infection, also has more researchers looking for co-infections. Co-infections are other harmful bacterial infections that are transmitted at the same time Lyme Disease is transmitted. Evidence of this new information is coming in from around the world, so there’s no reason to think the US is more prone to numerous strains and co-infections. This new knowledge is simply what we have learned through further research since the discovery of Lyme Disease.

Experts have indicated that ticks are not born diseased and become infected only after several blood meals in their development from larvae to nymphs. While that seems to remain true for most strains of the Borrelia bacteria, it’s not true for a more recent one identified. Borrelia Miyamotoi was discovered in Japan in 1995. It has been found co-existing with the more prevalent Lyme Disease bacteria, Borrelia Burgdorferi. It has also been identified as being present in 17% of all tick-borne infections.

There is now discussion among researchers that co-infection with Lyme Disease may be what some patients call chronic Lyme Disease and the CDC calls PTLDS or Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome. Studies are being performed to determine if Borrelia Miyamotoi causes what appears to be recurrent Lyme Disease. Although no specific treatment has been identified for this infection, the use of antibiotics in early onset Lyme Disease patients seems to diminish its recurrence. Symptoms of Borrelia Miyamotoi are similar to those of Lyme Disease.

Finally, new research is showing that ticks infected with Lyme Disease also carry more known tick-borne infections we thought were once exclusive and did not co-exist with Lyme Disease bacteria. Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mounted Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis and other tick-borne infections are increasingly found in ticks as co-infections.

Now is the time of year to begin eliminating ticks in your yard for next summer.

Mosquito Squad of Leominster tick tube program in the fall will eliminate many of the nymph ticks you would have found in your yard next spring. Nymph ticks are so small and difficult to spot. For that reason, they are responsible for many of the Lyme infections. An added bonus is the tick tube treatment includes a barrier treatment at no additional cost.

To learn more about our highly effective tick tube program and barrier sprays, contact us today!