Overlooked infections associated with Lyme disease

By: LUCY BARNES, Special to The Star Democrat (Maryland)
March 03, 2003

Lyme disease, once considered a rare and easily treated ailment, is actually
a complex infectious disease which can progress to a chronic state and
seriously affect even the most healthy individuals and their pets.

The discovery of multiple strains of Borrelia spirochetes (over 300 to
date), coupled with the fact that at least three different forms of
spirochetes have been documented (spirochetal, spheroplast, and cystic
form), is merely the underlying foundation of the comprehensive infectious
soup currently referred to as Lyme disease.

To complicate the Lyme picture there are a growing number of tick borne
infections such as Bartonella (trench fever, cat scratch fever), Babesiosis
(WA-1, microti), Ehrlichiosis (HGE, HME), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever,
STARI, Tularemia (rabbit fever), Brucelliosis, Leptospirosis, and
Mycoplasmas which have been detected in patients with Lyme disease. All too
often these infections are being overlooked or subsequently misdiagnosed and
not treated properly.

The CDC warns that early diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment of Lyme
disease are important strategies to avoid the costs and complications of
infection and late-stage illness.?

These tick borne infections have the ability to destroy the brain, the
peripheral nervous system, and the musculoskeletal system. They may also
cause a variety of dermatological, pulmonary, gynecological,
endocrinological, and urological manifestations and are known to cause life
threatening cardiac abnormalities.

Without prompt and aggressive treatment they may lead to a significant
degree of immune suppression and/or death.

If you have been diagnosed with, or even suspect you may have Lyme disease,
it would be to your advantage to locate a competent practitioner who is
extremely familiar with updated testing procedures, clinical diagnoses, and
treating Lyme and the associated co-infections.

Unfortunately, many of the local university, hospital, and commercial labs
are unable to perform the definitive tests required to detect newly
discovered strains or forms of bacteria and the variety of co-infections
which exist in Maryland. Many people are, therefore, not being tested or
treated.

The CDC states that Lyme disease is greatly under reported. Education and
prevention are essential to reduce the growing numbers of cases of tick
borne illnesses.

Listed below are a few of the more common co-infections associated with Lyme
disease which are epidemic in Maryland.

Tick borne infections associated with Lyme disease:

Babesiosis

The parasite that causes Babesiosis destroys red blood cells and causes a
malaria-like illness which is potentially fatal. It is characterized by
fever, chills, sweats, muscle pains, breathing difficulties, headaches, and
malaise. Patients may also experience episodes of depression, dizziness,
vomiting, bleeding tendencies, dark colored urine, anemia, bruising,
pulmonary edema, anorexia, and encephalopathy.

Treatment: A combination of Atovaquone and Zithromax or Baixin is currently
being used to treat the disease. This combination has less potential side
effects than quinine and clindamyacin. Re-treatment or long-term treatment
is often needed in long-standing cases.

Bartonella

Bartonella quintana and Bartonella henselae are bacterial infections which
can cause fatigue, restlessness, myalgias, encephalopathy, liver or spleen
involvement, abdominal pain, hepatitis, seizures (mild to severe),
headaches, cognitive dysfunction, red splotches or slightly raised red
spots, subcutaneous nodules, softening of bone, radiculitis, transverse
myelitis, arthritis, polyneuropathy, endocarditis, cardiomegaly, and an
array of eye problems such as conjunctivitis, neuroretinitis, and a loss of
vision. If not treated properly it can become chronic and difficult to
eradicate.

Treatment: There is no set treatment protocol that works in all patients.
Antibiotics, such as Doxycycline, Rifampin, Ciprofloxacin, ora combination
of antibiotics have been used with varying degrees of success.

Ehrlichia

Ehrlichia HME or HGE (rickettsial diseases related to RMSF) may be fatal,
however, milder chronic forms do exist. Headaches, fever, chills, myalgias,
fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and cough are some of the more prominent
symptoms.

Treatment: Doxycycline is often used to treat Ehrlichia infections. Doses
may need to be increased or extended due to the severity or duration of the
illness and co-infections involved.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

RMSF is a rickettsial disease normally presenting with a sudden onset of
fever, chills, fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, and conjunctivitis. A
spotted rash may appear on the hands and feet in about 50 percent of cases.
Delay in treatment may result in death or a chronic illness which can affect
the brain, spinal cord, heart, lungs, kidneys, or liver.

Chronic cases of RMSF may also cause a loss of bladder or bowel control,
blood clotting problems, partial paralysis, hearing loss, congestive heart
failure, movement disorders, and respiratory distress syndrome. The fatality
rate can reach 20 percent in untreated cases.

Treatment: The most common treatment for RMSF is Doxycycline which should be
started immediately if this disease is suspected.

Note: Ask your doctor about other tick borne diseases and viruses including
STARI, Tularemia, Brucelliosis, Anaplasmas, Leptospirosis, and Mycoplasmas.

For more information about Lyme Disease, contact:

* ILADS: International Lyme and Associated Disease Society- www.ilads.org

* Lyme Disease Association: 1-888-366-6611

* Lyme Ne: Lymenet.org

I tried to call you the other day...and will try again!

Tree, you're a poet and don't know-it....'the bag of tricks that come with ticks'......heehee!