< Back to Research Top Published Date 22/09/2020 Repurposing disulfiram (Tetraethylthiuram Disulfide) as a potential drug candidate against Borrelia burgdorferi in vitro and in vivo Journal Antibiotics (Basel) Citation Antibiotics (Basel). 2020 Sep 22;9(9):633 DOI 10.3390/antibiotics9090633 Authors Potula HHSK, Shahryari J, Inayathullah M, Malkovskiy AV, Kim KM, Rajadas J Abstract Lyme disease caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb or B. burgdorferi) is a most common vector-borne, multi-systemic disease in USA. Although, most Lyme disease patients can be cured with a course of antibiotic treatment, a significant percent of patient population fail to be disease-free post-treatment, necessitating the development of more effective therapeutics. We previously found several drugs including disulfiram having with good activity against B. burgdorferi. In current study, we evaluated the potential of repurposing the FDA approved disulfiram drug for its borreliacidal activity. Our in vitro results indicate disulfiram shows excellent borreliacidal activity against both the log and stationary phase B. burgdorferi. Subsequent mice studies have determined that the disulfiram eliminated B. burgdorferi completely from hearts and urinary bladder by day 28 post infection, demonstrating the practical application and efficacy of disulfiram against B. burgdorferi in vivo. Moreover, disulfiram treated mice showed reduced expression of inflammatory markers and protected against histopathology and organ damage. Furthermore, disulfiram treated mice showed significantly lower amounts of total antibody titers (IgM and IgG) at day 21 and total IgG2b at day 28 post infection. Mechanistically, cellular analysis of lymph nodes revealed a decrease in percentage of CD19+ B cells and increase in total percentage of CD3+ T cells, CD3+ CD4+ T helpers, and na?ve and effector memory cells in disulfiram-treated mice. Together, we demonstrate that disulfiram has the potential and could be repurposed as an effective antibiotic for treating Lyme disease in near future. URL Previous https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/9/9/633 No Review Needed? Next

< Back to Research Top Published Date 16/06/2017 Suicide and Lyme and associated diseases Journal Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment Citation Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2017 Jun 16;13:1575-1587 DOI 10.2147/NDT.S136137 Authors Bransfield RC Abstract PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to investigate the association between suicide and Lyme and associated diseases (LAD). No journal article has previously performed a comprehensive assessment of this subject. INTRODUCTION: Multiple case reports and other references demonstrate a causal association between suicidal risk and LAD. Suicide risk is greater in outdoor workers and veterans, both with greater LAD exposure. Multiple studies demonstrate many infections and the associated proinflammatory cytokines, inflammatory-mediated metabolic changes, and quinolinic acid and glutamate changes alter neural circuits which increase suicidality. A similar pathophysiology occurs in LAD. METHOD: A retrospective chart review and epidemiological calculations were performed. RESULTS: LAD contributed to suicidality, and sometimes homicidality, in individuals who were not suicidal before infection. A higher level of risk to self and others is associated with multiple symptoms developing after acquiring LAD, in particular, explosive anger, intrusive images, sudden mood swings, paranoia, dissociative episodes, hallucinations, disinhibition, panic disorder, rapid cycling bipolar, depersonalization, social anxiety disorder, substance abuse, hypervigilance, generalized anxiety disorder, genital-urinary symptoms, chronic pain, anhedonia, depression, low frustration tolerance, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Negative attitudes about LAD from family, friends, doctors, and the health care system may also contribute to suicide risk. By indirect calculations, it is estimated there are possibly over 1,200 LAD suicides in the US per year. CONCLUSION: Suicidality seen in LAD contributes to causing a significant number of previously unexplained suicides and is associated with immune-mediated and metabolic changes resulting in psychiatric and other symptoms which are possibly intensified by negative attitudes about LAD from others. Some LAD suicides are associated with being overwhelmed by multiple debilitating symptoms, and others are impulsive, bizarre, and unpredictable. Greater understanding and a direct method of acquiring LAD suicide statistics is needed. It is suggested that medical examiners, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other epidemiological organizations proactively evaluate the association between LAD and suicide. URL Previous https://www.dovepress.com/suicide-and-lyme-and-associated-diseases-peer-reviewed-article-NDT No Review Needed? Next

< Back to Research Top Published Date 26/03/2018 Brucella melitensis and B. abortus in eggs, larvae and engorged females of Dermacentor marginatus Journal Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases Citation j.ttbdis.2018.03.021 DOI 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2018.03.021 Authors Wanga Q, Zhaoa S, Wurelib H, Xiec S, Chenb C, Weid Q, Cuie B, Tuf C, Wanga Y Abstract Brucellosis is a relatively common zoonosis, particularly in the developing countries. Our aim was to cultivate the Brucella wild-type strain from eggs of Dermacentor marginatus, and to molecularly investigate the presence of Brucella DNA in different developmental stages. A total of 350 engorged adult female ticks were collected from sheep and cattle, and individually placed into a single clean breathable tube suitable for laying eggs and for the development of larvae. Detection of Brucella DNA was attempted in engorged female ticks and their offsprings based on the Brucella outer membrane protein gene 22 (omp22) and IS711 gene. Additionally, bacterial isolation in the culture medium of Brucella was performed. The eggs from the Brucella DNA-positive engorged female ticks were positive for Brucella omp22 (4.6%, 16/350). The prevalence was 40.9% (90/220) in larvae, which developed from the Brucella DNA-positive egg batch. Based on BLASTn analysis of IS711 gene, ten (4.1%, 10/242) PCR products were identified as Brucella melitensis in D. marginatus from sheep, while six (5.6%, 6/108) were identified as B. abortus in D. marginatus infesting cattle. B. melitensis biotype 3 was isolated from eggs of D. marginatus. This is the first study which demonstrates the transovarial transmission of Brucella in the D. marginatus. Furthermore, Brucella may be partially transmitted from D. marginatus eggs to larvae (40.9%) in D. marginatus. These findings extend our knowledge on the transmission of Brucella in D. marginatus offsprings. URL Previous https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X17303990 No Review Needed? Next

< Back to Research Top Published Date 14/08/2013 Borrelia burgdorferi aggrecanase activity: more evidence for persistent infection in Lyme disease Journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology Citation Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2013 Aug 14;3:40 DOI 10.3389/fcimb.2013.00040 Authors Stricker RB, Johnson L Abstract Lyme disease is the most common tickborne illness in the world today. A recent study describes for the first time an enzyme produced by the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, that cleaves aggrecan, a proteoglycan found in joints and connective tissue. Discovery of the spirochetal aggrecanase raises many questions about the pathogenesis of Lyme arthritis and lends support to the concept of persistent B. burgdorferi infection in patients with chronic Lyme disease symptoms. URL Previous https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3743303 No Review Needed? Next

< Back to Research Top Published Date 06/03/2020 An Overview of Tickborne Infections in Pregnancy and Outcomes in the Newborn: The Need for Prospective Studies Journal Frontiers in Medicine Citation Front. Med., 06 March 2020 DOI 10.3389/fmed.2020.00072 Authors Lambert JS Abstract Tick-borne infections are an ever-increasing issue internationally, many factors contribute to this including a changing climate. Pregnant women represent the single largest vulnerable group in populations due to a relative immune deficiency status. Infections in pregnant women have the added gravity of potential infection in the developing fetus which may have catastrophic consequences including death in-utero or lifelong debilitation. Currently there is a paucity of data surrounding tick-borne infections in pregnancy and long-term outcomes for mother and infant for conditions like Lyme disease and co-infections. At present there are no established international surveillance systems to identify and gain understanding of these infections in pregnancy. Furthermore, the removal of Congenital Lyme Disease from ICD-11 codes hampers dialogue and characterization of borreliosis in pregnancy and stifles future developments of this understudied domain. This review makes the case for further study and re-opening a dialogue of tick-borne infections in pregnancy. URL Previous https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2020.00072/full No Review Needed? Next

< Back At Risk Groups LRC 19 Oct 2021 TICK-BORNE INFECTION AT RISK GROUPS Targeting of Personal Protective Advice The following is a breakdown of potential at-risk groups and target markets for personal protective messaging. This a general guide and not exhaustive. The pdf contents includes: FRAMEWORKS FOR CONSIDERING POTENTIAL RISK INDIVIDUAL/PERSONAL ‘TARGET MARKET’ Occasional high-risk exposure to people visiting from low-risk areas Regular high-risk exposure in high-risk areas LYME RESOURCE CENTRE (LRC) SURVEY OF 38 PEOPLE WITH TICK-BORNE INFECTIONS (2021): CONTEXT OF TICK BITE AND TRANSMISSION OF TICK-BORNE INFECTION ETHNIC MINORITY COMMUNITIES References: TickBorneInfectionAtRiskGroupsOct2021_0 .pdf Download PDF • 338KB Previous Next

< Back to Research Top Published Date 02/01/2020 First report of Lyme borreliosis leading to cardiac bradydysrhythmia in two cats Journal Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Citation JFMS Open Reports, Volume 6, Issue 1, January-June 2020 DOI 10.1177/2055116919898292 Authors Dickson SA, Rolph K, Palermo V, Hodgkiss-Geere H, Gilmore P, Gunn-Moore DA, T?rnqvist-Johnsen C Abstract Case series summary: Two cats were presented for investigation of bradyarrhythmia detected by their referring veterinarians during routine examination. Both cats had extensive investigations, including haematology, serum biochemistry with electrolytes and thyroxine concentrations, systolic blood pressure measurement, echocardiography, electrocardiography and infectious disease testing. Infectious disease testing included serology for Toxoplasma gondii, Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi, and PCR for B burgdorferi antigen in both cats. Case 1 was also assessed by PCR for Bartonella henselae antigen and case 2 was assessed for Dirofilaria immitis by serology. All infectious disease tests, other than for B burgdorferi, were negative. Case 1 was diagnosed with Lyme carditis based on marked bradydysrhythmia, positive B burgdorferi serology, a structurally normal heart and clinical resolution with appropriate treatment with a 4-year follow-up. Case 2 was diagnosed with Lyme carditis based on marked bradydysrhythmia and positive B burgdorferi PCR; however, this cat had structural heart disease that did not resolve with treatment. Relevance and novel information: This small case series describes two B burgdorferi positive cats presenting with newly diagnosed cardiac abnormalities consistent with those found in humans and dogs with Lyme carditis. Both cats were asymptomatic as perceived by their owners; the arrhythmia was detected by their veterinarians. URL Previous https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2055116919898292 No Review Needed? Next

< Back to Research Top Published Date 09/06/2010 Persister Cells Journal Annual Review of Microbiology Citation Annual Review of Microbiology 2010 64:1, 357-372 DOI 10.1146/annurev.micro.112408.134306 Authors Lewis K Abstract Persisters are dormant variants of regular cells that form stochastically in microbial populations and are highly tolerant to antibiotics. High persister (hip) mutants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are selected in patients with cystic fibrosis. Similarly, hip mutants of Candida albicans are selected in patients with an oral thrush biofilm. These observations suggest that persisters may be the main culprit responsible for the recalcitrance of chronic infectious disease to antimicrobial therapy. Screening knockout libraries has not produced mutants lacking persisters, indicating that dormancy mechanisms are redundant. Toxin/antitoxin (TA) modules are involved in persister formation in Escherichia coli. The SOS response leads to overexpression of the TisB toxin and persister formation. TisB is a membrane-acting peptide that apparently sends cells into dormancy by decreasing the proton motive force and ATP levels. Stress responses may act as general activators of persister formation. Proteins required for maintaining persisters may represent realistic targets for discovery of drugs capable of effectively treating chronic infections. URL Previous https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.micro.112408.134306 No Review Needed? Next

< Back to Research Top Published Date 10/04/2016 Prevalence of the Lyme Disease Spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, in Blacklegged Ticks, Ixodes scapularis at Hamilton-Wentworth, Ontario Journal International Journal of Medical Sciences Citation Int J Med Sci. 2016 Apr 10;13(5):316-24 DOI 10.7150/ijms.14552 Authors Scott JD, Anderson JF, Durden LA, Smith ML, Manord JM, Clark KL Abstract Lyme disease has emerged as a major health concern in Canada, where the etiological agent, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), a spirochetal bacterium, is typically spread by the bite of certain ticks. This study explores the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in blackleggedticks, Ixodes scapularis, collected at Dundas, Ontario (a locality within the region of Hamilton-Wentworth). Using passive surveillance, veterinarians and pet groomers were asked to collect blacklegged ticks from dogs and cats with no history of travel. Additionally, I. scapularisspecimens were submitted from local residents and collected by flagging. Overall, 12 (41%) of 29 blacklegged ticks were infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing, two borrelial amplicons were characterized as B. burgdorferisensu stricto (s.s.), a genospecies pathogenic to humans and certain domestic animals. Notably, three different vertebrate hosts each had two engorged I. scapularis females removed on the same day and, likewise, one cat had three repeat occurrences of this tick species. These multiple infestations suggest that a population of I. scapularis may be established in this area. The local public health unit has been underreporting the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l.-infected I. scapularis in the area encompassing Dundas. Our findings raise concerns about the need to erect tick warning signs in parkland areas. Veterinarians, medical professionals, public health officials, and the general public must be vigilant that Lyme disease-carrying blacklegged ticks pose a public health risk in the Dundas area and the surrounding Hamilton-Wentworth region. URL Previous http://www.medsci.org/v13p0316.htm No Review Needed? Next

< Back to Research Top Published Date 01/12/2011 The pain of chronic Lyme disease: moving the discourse backward? Journal FASEB Journal Citation FASEB J. 2011 Dec;25(12):4085-7 DOI 10.1096/fj.11-1203LTR Authors Stricker RB, Johnson L Abstract About 30% of the population of the United States suffers from acute or chronic pain, often of unknown cause. Among this group might be included patients with symptoms claimed to be caused by a poorly defined condition called "chronic Lyme disease" in which chronic pain is a major contributor. Since there is no evidence to indicate that chronic Lyme disease is due to a persistent infection and that extended antibiotic therapy is beneficial and safe, this condition should not be viewed solely as an infectious disease problem. Rather, it should be considered within the context of a broad-based, multidisciplinary approach to determining the cause of chronic pain per se and developing more effective strategies for its treatment as outlined in a recent report on pain issued by the Institute of Medicine. URL Previous https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22131364 No Review Needed? Next

< Back to Research Top Published Date 01/08/2017 Low-grade fever, erythematous rash in pregnant woman ? Dx? Journal The Journal of Family Practice Citation J Fam Pract . 2017 Aug;66(8):E9-E10 DOI ​ Authors O'Brien J.M, Baum J.D Abstract A 31-year-old woman presented to her obstetrician's office at 16 weeks' gestation with a 2-day history of low-grade fever and an erythematous rash measuring 1 x 4 cm on her right groin. She had a medical history of a penicillin allergy (urticarial) and her outdoor activities included gardening and picnicking. What's your diagnosis? URL Previous https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28783775/ No Review Needed? Next

< Back How education can bend the curve in the tick-borne disease epidemic LRC 15 May 2023 Previous Next