curious...can fleas carry lyme? or is it just ticks?
Posted by Diana 85 (Member # 23929) on :
I have heard that fleas can carry bartonella. Also have heard that biting flies, mosquitos and fleas may be vectors for lyme. Our daughter's symptoms seemed to begin after she was bitten by a horse fly. Full blown babesia and lyme about 4 months later. She was not aware of a tick bite.
Posted by Silverwolf (Member # 9196) on :
I think its probable that fleas could carry Lyme,as well as Bart'.
A friend here got Lyme from a Horse fly,in California, he was bitten while they were packing to come to this area. And he was in hospital for several weeks because he got very ill from the bite.
From what I understand...the thinking is...any biting insect,spider etc. that feeds on something that is infected w Lyme and Co's could potentially spread that infection.
Perhaps someone who is more in the know will come along and tell us soon...You've raised an interesting and important concern!
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. While it is still the most common vector-borne disease in the country, it is also transmitted in other ways. Infection occurs through blood transfusion, organ transplant, direct contact and by congenital means.
Typically, it is contracted with the bite of infected ticks (Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma maculatum, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris, Ixodes affinis, Ixodes angustus, Ixodes cookei, Ixodes dentatus, Ixodes neotomae, Ixodes pacificus, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes scapularis, Ixodes spinipalpis, Ixodes texanus, Ixodes Dermacentor albipictus, Ixodes Dermacentor andersoni, Ixodes Dermacentor occidentalis and Ixodes Dermacentor variabilis), however it has also been contracted through infected biting flies, mosquitoes, mites and fleas.
Survival of Borrelia burgdorferi in human blood stored under blood banking conditions. Nadelman RB, Sherer C, Mack L, Pavia CS, Wormser GP. Transfusion 1990 30(4):298-301.
Experimental inoculation of Peromyscus spp. with Borrelia burgdorferi: evidence of contact transmission. Burgess EC, Amundson TE, Davis JP, Kaslow RA, Edelman R. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1986 Mar;35(2):355-9.
Erythema migrans in solid-organ transplant recipients. Maraspin V, Cimperman J, Lotric-Furlan S, Logar M, Ruzic-Sabljic E, Strle F. Clin Infect Dis. 2006 Jun 15;42(12):1751-4.
Borrelia burgdorferi in a newborn despite oral penicillin for Lyme borreliosis during pregnancy. Weber K, Bratzke HJ, Neubert U, Wilske B, Duray PH. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 7:286-9. 1988.
Lyme disease transmitted by a biting fly. Luger SW. N Engl J Med 1990 Jun 14;322(24):1752.
Ticks and mosquitoes as vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. in the forested areas of Szczecin. Kosik-Bogacka DI, Kuźna-Grygiel W, Jaborowska M. Folia Biol (Krakow). 2007;55(3-4):143-6.
Isolation of the spirochaete Borrelia afzelii from the mosquito Aedes vexans in the Czech Republic. Halouzka J, Postic D, Hubalek Z. Med Vet Entomol 1998 Jan;12(1):103-5.
Presence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in mites parasitizing small rodents. Netusil J, Zakovska A, Horvath R, Dendis M, Janouskovcova E. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2005 Fall;5(3):227-32.
The spirochetal isolates were from several tick and one flea species, including Amblyomma americanum, A. maculatum, Ixodes scapularis, and Ctenocephalides felis. Teltow GJ, Fournier PV, Rawlings JA. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1991 May;44(5):469-74.
*Remember... possibility of transmission is not the same as proof of transmission*
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Thanks, Melanie!
I'm worried about my niece as their new (used) house was infiltrated with fleas. I sure hope they don't become ill from it.
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Sorry to hear that Miss Toots. I would honestly be more concerned about catching Bart from fleas than Bb though. I believe Bob and I both got reinfected with it that way.
Posted by massman (Member # 18116) on :
At the last borellia support group meeting the bugs reaffirmed that they do not discriminate against who transports them.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ! Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
hmm, wonder if we can file a class action?
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Melanie Reber: Sorry to hear that Miss Toots. I would honestly be more concerned about catching Bart from fleas than Bb though. [/QB]
That's what I was thinking.
good one, randi!! Posted by Remember to Smile (Member # 25481) on :
Thanks, Melanie!
Tick Battler turned me on to the research of this LLMD: Dr. F of NJ He's an active researcher and pediatric gastro doctor with an emphasis on sound nutrition and Bartonella henselae! Scroll down to see his research articles.
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