The Increase of Lymes in Minnesota A local family physician
inquiring about Lymes disease. Physician noted an increase of
patients experiencing ring shaped rashes, headaches, and fever
chills which point to Lymes. Rigid diagnosis was not made as
conformation requires an diagnostic assay. The physician expressed
concern that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources maybe
inaccurate. Duluth area people might need to be better informed
before planning outdoor activities.
Slide 3
symptomology
Slide 4
Contracting Lymes Disease The bite of an infected nymph or
adult tick can only transmit Lyme disease after it attaches to the
host for 36 48 hours the generation time of B. Burgdorferi: ~ 12
hours Spirochetes waiting in the mid-gut of the tick begin to
multiply as the tick starts its blood meal then migrate to the
salivary glands where they are discharged into the host with the
tick's saliva. It takes several hours before a large enough
infectious dose of spirochetes can penetrate the new host. Most
incidences of Lyme disease occur from May through September because
the nymphal stage of the tick is responsible for most cases They
are too small to be easily detectable Their bites cause much milder
pain than an adult tick.
Slide 5
Lymes Disease
Slide 6
Symptomology of Lymes Disease Lyme is a multisystem
inflammatory disease affects the skin in the early stage and then
spreads to the joints, nervous system and may eventually affect the
organ systems. The symptoms are divided into three stages, each
stage being more advanced than the previous.
Slide 7
Symptomology Stage 1 Early localized infection Skin Rash Around
Tick Bite (75%) Mild Illness Flu-like Symptoms Fevers Chills
Swollen Lymph Nodes Headache Stiff Neck Muscle Fatigue Initial sign
and symptoms of Lyme disease include an appearance of a rash, which
has the appearance of being solid red or bulls eye rash with flu
like symptoms. These symptoms may appear up to a month after
infection.
Slide 8
Symptomology Stage 2 Early Disseminated Infection Neurological
Problems Meningitis Encephalitis Within weeks of stage one
symptoms, the bacterium may spread to other parts of the body
through the bloodstream. infected individuals may start having
acute neurological problems such as Bell's Palsy. *15% of untreated
patients progress to this stage. Meningitis, as well as mild
Encephalitis is common at this stage, leading to memory loss, sleep
disturbances, or changes in mood or affect.
Slide 9
Symptomology Stage 3 Late Persistent Infection Polyneuropathy
Pain and Numbness Cognitive Impairment Arthritis Acrodermatitis
chronica atrophicans (primarily in Europe) The third and the most
severe stage may occur months to years after initial infection.
Symptoms at this stage are primarily rheumatologic and neurologic,
and mostly untreatable.
Stage 1: Early Localized (previous slides) Stage 2: Early
Disseminated Weeks to Months Affects skin, joints, nervous system,
heart Stage 3: Late Persistent Months to Years Damage to joints,
nerves, brain
Slide 13
Stage 3 Also Known as: Post-Lyme Disease Syndrome Chronic Lyme
Disease Occurs 6 months after treatment
Slide 14
Possible Cause If antibiotics are not received quickly, then
the body may build up antibodies to B. b. These antibodies may
later attack healthy tissues. Multiple studies hint at the
autoimmune process behind Lyme Disease but nothing is known.
Slide 15
Diagnosis Clinical Evidence Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Western Blotting Indirect Immunofluorescence Detect antibodies Lack
s sensitivity and specificity PCR
Slide 16
Treatment Short Term Treatment Amoxicillin Probenecid
Ceftriaxone Doxycycline Tetracycline Chronic Antibiotics Penicillin
Erythromycin Tetracyline
Slide 17
Our tick collection methods Materials: Light-colored bed sheet
Hand held GPS devices Sealable plastic containers Materials:
Light-colored bed sheet Hand held GPS devices Sealable plastic
containers Methods: We began by stopping at the banks of
pre-selected locations listed in the GPS. We separated into groups
of about two and while holding the sheet open, we swept the ground.
After dragging for 100 yards we examined the sheet in hopes of
finding black-legged ticks. Methods: We began by stopping at the
banks of pre-selected locations listed in the GPS. We separated
into groups of about two and while holding the sheet open, we swept
the ground. After dragging for 100 yards we examined the sheet in
hopes of finding black-legged ticks.
Slide 18
Our Results We continued collecting over two days for a total
of eight stops. We found six ticks. Some observations were made
about the general environment in which the ticks were found,
however, very little information was recorded. All of the ticks
found were in their nymph stage and were not much larger than the
point of a pencil. Our sampling was done during the mid summer
season rather than the late spring or fall, this may be why so few
ticks were collected. We continued collecting over two days for a
total of eight stops. We found six ticks. Some observations were
made about the general environment in which the ticks were found,
however, very little information was recorded. All of the ticks
found were in their nymph stage and were not much larger than the
point of a pencil. Our sampling was done during the mid summer
season rather than the late spring or fall, this may be why so few
ticks were collected.
Slide 19
Project title Michael Cherry| Dr. Ben Clarke| Bridges and
Pathways Program 2010
Slide 20
Tick Collection What criteria and procedures should be used
when collecting ticks in the wild?
Slide 21
Project Overview Where ticks are located Survey techniques
should be consistent Use of standardized equipment Integrity of
Data Collection Criteria and methods of recording
Slide 22
Where are ticks located in the midwest? Near or in deciduous
forests Dry to mesic (moderate moisture) forests Alfisol-type soils
of sandy or loam-sand textures overlying sedimentary rock Along
ecotones (boundaries between varying ecosystems)
Slide 23
Alfisol Soils Alfisols are a soil order in USDA soil taxonomy.
Alfisols form in semiarid to humid areas, typically under a
hardwood forest cover. They have a clay- enriched subsoil and
relatively high native fertility. "Alf" refers to Aluminium (Al)
and Iron (Fe).USDA soil taxonomyhardwood Alfisol from East
Tennessee.
http://www.uamont.edu/facultyweb/francis/soilprofiles/soilprofilepage.htm
Slide 24
Where are ticks not located in the midwest? Near coniferous
forests Grasslands Wet and very damp forests Acidic soils of low
fertility and a clay soil texture Precambrian bedrock
Slide 25
Construction of dragging equipment 70 x 90cm piece of
light-colored corduroy 1cm diameter wooden dowel along leading edge
Steel rod sewn into trailing edge for added weight Rope or wood
handle to allow front edge of sheet to contact vegetation
Slide 26
Collection Techniques from Schulze/jordan Same individual
should perform the dragging for consistency Speed, height Collected
hourly from 0600 2100 hours 100m long transects, collect every 10m
to prevent ticks from falling off Ramdomize dragging order,
direction of travel, location within each transect (left, right,
center) to minimize repeated dragging of same areas Minimize dew
collection by drying on running pickup truck hood To minimize
effects of moisture on tick collection
Slide 27
Statistics For each sampling event (each hour) (use of Weather
Station): Ambient Temperature Ambient Humidity Place Weather
Station in center of area, 1m above vegetation height Litter
temperature and humidity (digital thermometer) At least 2.5cm below
leaf litter surface but not into the soil
Slide 28
Statistical analysis Use of repeated measures of analysis of
variance Use of multiple linear regression to examine relationships
Use separate regressions for each species Tolerance value of 0.1 is
acceptable Calculate temp gradient: subtract hourly litter temp
from ambient Calculate humidity gradient: subtract litter H from
ambient H Use Pearson correlation and linear regression to
determine relationships between calculated gradients and numbers of
questing ticks
Slide 29
Conclusion Consistency regarding the gathering of ticks and in
measuring and recording statistics are critical to success
Slide 30
Works Cited Meteorologically Mediated Diurnal Questing of
Ixodes Scapularis and Amblyomma Americanum Nymphs Terry Schulze and
Robert Jordan Journal of Medical Entomology (2003) Distribution of
the Common Tick, Ixodes ricinus, in different vegetation types in
Southern Sweden Anders Lindstrom and Thomas Jaenson, Journal of
Medical Entomology (2003)
Slide 31
Possible Outcomes o Lymes disease occurances have been on the
rise in the US partially due to climate change and expansion in
tick population, but also due to increased human/tick interaction
in fringe areas near cities. By identifying specific ecotomes
required for the complex life cycles of ticks and boriela, we can
possibly eliminate some of those factors in these fringe areas
possibly reducing the incidence of disease being transferred to
humans
Slide 32
GIS Modeling of the Interrelationship of Ticks, Mice, and
Ecotones o Collecting ticks while recording specific geographical
data Soil/vegetation/elevation/etc. o Analyze ticks to detect the
presence of Borriela bacteria o Analyze the Data searching for
patterns of Borriela in relation to the specific ecotone in which
the tick was found
Slide 33
By: Nina M. Holz
Slide 34
Borrelia burgdorferi Complete genome
Slide 35
Characteristics Borrelia burgdorferi are spiral shaped
microorganism (spirochetes) Gram-negative Motile On the average,
seven periplasmic flagella are located at each cell end, and these
flagella overlap at the central region of the cell. inhabit the gut
of deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis). Named after American scientist
Willy Burgdorfer who in 1982 isolated and determined the bacterium.
Lymes disease is the most common tick-borne disease in the US.
Slide 36
Characteristics Chemo-organotropic derive energy by
metabolizing organic molecules. Microaerophilic they require oxygen
to survive, but only at low concentrations. Too much or lack of
oxygen can be harmful to them. Catalase negative they are unable to
break down hydrogen peroxide. They cannot synthesize their own
amino acids, fatty acids, enzyme cofactors, and nucleotides.
Slide 37
Characteristics Optimal growth temperature is 34 to 37C
Generation time of 11 to 12 hours at 35C. Their life cycle is
directly linked to their host, and they depend on arthropod vectors
(ticks) to infect mammals. They reside in infected mammals as well
as in the gut of ticks. They multiply when there is enough blood
ingested by the tick to support bacterial growth.
Slide 38
Genome structure DNA Molecule Summary 18 DNA molecules 28.5%G+C
chromosomal bases 63.1% linear DNA bases Chromosomal Gene Summary
853 genes 793 protein coding genes 502 genes assigned a role, 51
genes not assigned a role 102 hypothetical genes
Slide 39
Cultivation The organism's small genome lacks the genes that
are necessary for the synthesis of amino acids, fatty acids, enzyme
cofactors, and nucleotides. In order for these spirochetes to be
cultured, a very special type of medium is used called Barbour-
Stoenner-Kelly (BSK) medium.
Slide 40
BSK =Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly Contains serum-supplemented
mammalian tissue-culture that enables the bacterium to reproduce
without ever having the need to synthesize too many biological
compounds. Contains over thirteen ingredients in a rabbit serum
base. Optimal temperature for growth =32-35 o C A microaerobic
environment. Even under optimal conditions, the generation time is
slow, about 12-24 hours. BSK solidified with 1.3% agarose allows
the production of colonies from single organisms.
Slide 41
Some Basic Background Information Regarding Ticks and Lymes
Disease The tick that passes enables animals to contract Lymes
Disease is called: Ixodes scapularis. The ticks generally feed on a
wide variety of small mammals, birds, and reptiles, but prefer to
feed on white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), which are the
important reservoir of infection in nature. Adults prefer to feed
and mate on white-tailed deer. The infection is a bacteria called
Borrelia burgdorferi. The ticks usually get infected from feeding
on a infected host. Not all humans that get bite by ticks get Lymes
diesease Only ticks that are infected with the bacteria can give
Lymes to humans This is generally after a prolonged amount of time
feeding on the human where they can also get Lymes disease
Slide 42
Internal Anatomy of a Tick Shown to the left is the internal
anatomy of a tick. The picture shows the major areas involved in
feeding and reproducing in the tick.
Slide 43
Early Onset Symptoms of Lymes Disease Within 1-4 weeks of being
bitten by an infected tick, most people will experience some
symptoms of Lyme disease. A circular, expanding rash (called
erythema migrans) at the site of the bite develops in about 70%-80%
of cases. Some people report flu-like symptoms at this stage,
including fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes,
joint pain, and muscle aches. (WebMD)
Slide 44
Mid-Stage Onset Symptoms of Lymes Disease If the disease is not
detected and treated in its early stages, it can extend to more
areas of the body, affecting the joints, heart, and nervous system
(about 1-4 months after the initial bite). Additional rashes may
occur, and there may be intermittent periods of pain and weakness
in the arms or legs. Facial-muscle paralysis (Bell's palsy),
headaches, and poor memory are other symptoms at this stage, along
with a rapid heartbeat and some loss of control of facial muscles.
(WebMD)
Slide 45
Late-Stage Onset Symptoms of Lymes Disease This is the most
serious stage of the disease, when treatment was either not
successful or never started (usually occurring many months after
the initial bite). Joint inflammation (arthritis), typically in the
knees, becomes apparent, and may become chronic. The nervous system
can develop abnormal sensation because of disease of peripheral
nerves (peripheral neuropathy), and confusion. Heart problems are
less common, but can include inflammation of the heart muscle.
(WebMD)
Slide 46
Current Treatments for Lymes Disease Most Lyme disease is
curable with antibiotics, particularly when the infection is
diagnosed and treated early. Doxycycline, amoxicillin, and
cefuroxime are the drugs of choice most of the time for early
illness. Later stages might require longer- term, intravenous
antibiotics, such as ceftriaxone. (WebMD)
Slide 47
Vaccines made for Lymes Disease Currently, there is no human
vaccine for Lyme disease. The one that did exist -- LYMErix -- is
no longer available. Originally approved by the FDA in 1998 to help
prevent the disease, the vaccine was pulled from the market by the
manufacturer in 2002 due to poor sales. There was concern that the
vaccine could trigger arthritis problems, although the FDA never
found evidence that the vaccine was dangerous. (WebMD)
Slide 48
Possible Ideas for a Future Vaccine for Lymes Disease Since the
Salp15 protein is the protein that enables the bacteria to enter
the host initially undetected, learning more about the protein
anatomy and morphology would be beneficial. If there is some way to
possibly degrade the protein so that the bacteria is exposed and
becomes vulnerable, I think this would allow the hosts body to
fight off the bacteria faster and more efficiently with hopefully
less damage to the body.