Luckhart, Sl, G.R. Mullen, L.A. Durden, and J.C. Wright. 1992. Borrelia spp. in ticks recovered from white-tailed deer in Alabama. J. Wildl. Dis. 28(3): 449-452, 1992 Jul. [detection of B. burgdorferi in ticks parasitizing hunter-killed deer at Wildlife Management Areas in Alabama]
Abstract: 665 hunter-killed white-tailed deer from 18 counties in Alabama (USA) were examined for ticks. Most of the collections were made at state-operated wildlife management areas. Four species of ticks (n=4,527) were recovered;
the lone star tick Amblyonmma americanum (482)
the Gulf Coast tick A. maculatum (11)
the winter tick Dermacentor albipictus (1,242)
the black-legged tick Ixodes scapularis (2,792)
56% of ticks (n=2,555) were examined for Borrelia sp. spirochetes using an immunoflourescent, polyclonal antibody assay.
Spirochetes were detected in I. scapularis (five females, seven males) from Barbour, Butler, Coosa, and Lee counties and A. americanum (four males, four nymphs) from Hale, Lee, and Wilcox coutnies.
*****Area-specific prevalences in ticks were as high as 3.3% for I. scapularis and 3.8% for A. americanum.
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CDC: TWO percent infection rate of ticks constitutes a medium risk of infection for Lyme disease.
Lyme Disease Risk Map of US, choose state from drop down menu to view state map.
Risk Classification:
High Risk: High density of host-seeking nymphal I.scapularis ticks.
***Medium Risk: Medium density of host-seeking nymphal I.scapularis ticks OR where at least 2% of I. pacificus ticks have been shown to be infected with B. burgdorferi.
Low Risk: Areas where I. scapularis OR I. pacificus ticks have been reported, but host-seeking nymphs are extremely rare (I. scapularis) or infection prevalence is low (I. pacificus).
No Risk: No reports of I. scapularis or I. pacificus ticks.
Data Sources: Diuk-Wasser, M.A., Gatewood, A.G., et al., 2006. (Click here for abstract.) CDC MMWR Supplement (ref) (Click here for document) California Department of Health Services, Vector-Borne Disease Section (Click here for document).
------------------------------------------------- One representative from the Epidemiology Department of the AL Dept. of Public Health stated Lyme disease is rare in Alabama. In contrast, another representative stated Lyme is fairly common throughout Alabama.
My CDC positive case was classified as "probable", but never included in the Lyme case count because the state waited 6 months to verify my infection. They didn't want to change the 2006 Lyme case counts in March 2007.
My husband's CDC positive case was classified as "suspect". His case wasn't included in the case count either.
That's one way to keep the prevalence low.
PS Does anyone know the definition of high risk using the infection rate of ticks?
...or the density used to differentiate the risk categories?
[ 07. December 2007, 09:47 AM: Message edited by: hshbmom ]
Posted by Troup Brazelton (Member # 6297) on :
Interesting story came to mind when I saw Wilcox county. A friend called on day and asked about ALS and lyme. His father who lived in Wilcox had just recently been dx with ALS. I asked if he had spend anytime in the woods. He said all the time and had found ticks a bunch of times. I gave him the name and ph # of the LLMD in Mobile.
A few months later he called and I asked about his father. He said his father had died, but had been tested and found to have lyme, but too late to start treatment.
Now if Doctors started testing MS, ALS, Fibro and many other diseases that they have no idea as to the cause for lyme, we might really get somewhere.
I find it strange that those that specialize in ALS still do not have lyme as a differential dx. Guess they do not want to learn the truth.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Troup Brazelton: Now if Doctors started testing MS, ALS, Fibro and many other diseases that they have no idea as to the cause for lyme, we might really get somewhere.
I find it strange that those that specialize in ALS still do not have lyme as a differential dx. Guess they do not want to learn the truth.
You are so right!!
How sad that this man died because no one thought of Lyme as a possibility. Happens everyday.