History Ive got more nervous ticks than a Lyme disease research
facility - Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory In the early
1970s a mysterious group of rheumatoid arthritis cases occurred
among children of Lyme, Connecticut and two neighboring towns Most
cases occurred near wooded areas so they focused their attention on
dear ticks They concluded that these ticks were the cause of Lyme
disease however did not exactly know what caused it In 1981 the
NAID researchers found a spirochete, later named Borellia
Bugdorferin, was causing Lyme disease
Slide 3
What is Borellia Bugdorferin B. Bugdorferin is a bacteria This
bacteria is 20-30 um in length and 0.2-0.5 um in width It is a
spiral shaped-gram-negative bacteria Its motile success is due to
its extraordinary flagella Because it has linear chromosomes,
rather than circular, it can survive in a variety of environments
The optimal temperature for growth of the bacteria is 32 degrees
celcius (body temp)
Slide 4
Transmission B. burgdorferin stays in the mid-gut of the tick
vector, habitating the microvilli and epithelium of the gut After
the tick latches on to a host, bacteria can invade the gut
epithelium and make its way into the salivary glands allowing it to
infect.
Slide 5
Symptoms Typically the first symptom of Lyme disease is a rash
around the site of the tick bite Rash is accompanied by other
symptoms such as fever, headache, stiff neck, body aches and
fatigue. Some patients may develop arthritis, nervous system
problems, or heart problems.
Slide 6
The Case of Chronic Lyme Disease MB is a 49 year old female
diagnosed with Lyme Her symptoms rapidly progress from fatigue to
multiple sclerosis (MS) like symptoms such as numbness and tingling
in the extremities. In January 1992 she received intravenous (IV)
Rocephin for 3 months after which time she was hospitalized for
three and one half weeks for a severely low white blood cell,
neutrophil and platelet count. This was a side effect due to the
drug treatment. She was given a challenge test to see if there was
another antibiotic regimen she could tolerate. She was then given
Primaxin via IV administration for approximately five and one half
months. She developed antibiotic resistant bacteria (C. difficile)
and was given Questran as treatment. She also developed dumping
syndrome from the Primaxin. She developed nausea which was managed
with Compasine administered both IV and as a suppository for one
week. She was also given Minocin, Biaxin and Amoxycillin on and off
until approximately June 1994. She often had to stop treatment due
to the side effect of a very low white blood count. Despite the
massive antibiotic treatment her symptoms did not improve. She
would get a little better for a short time and then her symptoms
would return. She also developed more symptoms during the years of
antibiotic treatment including knee pain in both knees, left hip
pain and debilitating neuropathy. Her doctor told her there was
nothing else he could do for her. (Case Study conducted by Dr.
Shari Lieberman)
Slide 7
The Spread There were 22,572 confirmed cases and 7,597 probable
cases of Lyme disease were reported to the centers of Disease
Control & Prevention in 2010 There are 20,000+ cases each year
During 20082009, 31 confirmed cases and 52 presumptive cases were
reported in Oregon. The median age was 42 years. Fifity one (60%)
cases were female. Of the cases, 25% were reported in Deschutes,
Jackson and Josephine counties.
Slide 8
Prevention & Treatment Prevention Know where to expect
ticks Use repellent with DEET (N,N- diethyl-m-toluamide) Perform
daily tick checks Remove ticks quickly Prevent ticks on animals
Treatment Antibiotics such as doxycycline or Amoxicillin taken
orally for 2-3 weeks Serious cases may require IV intake of
antibiotics
Slide 9
Why Lyme Disease Lyme Disease is an important disease to study
because it is so hard to diagnose Symptoms are that of the common
flu that can be obtianed by all individuals or arthritis which is
common in the elderly. Because of this it is very important that we
study it so we can differentiate between Lyme Disease and many
other diseases or infections.
Slide 10
References Lyme Disease. www.CDC.gov. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. 14 June, 2013.Web. 8 July, 2013. Zeelman,
David. Arthritis and Lyme Disease. www.WebMD.com. 1 Oct. 2012.Web.
9 July, 2013. Summer Safety Tips. www.co.marion.or.us. Marion
County Oregon. 3 June, 2013.Web. 11 July, 2013. Lyme Disease
Transmission Research. www.Niaid.gov. National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases. 5 Dec. 2007.Web. 6 July, 2013 Joyce,
Kaitlyn. Borellia burgdorferi, the cause of Lyme Disease.
http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/joyce_kait/. 2007. Web. 12
July 2013http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2007/joyce_kait/