Anyway i looked it up it is an african tick fever. Probably why you cant find it under what your looking for it. Its Yellow Fever.

It is contracted from ticks. Now i dont know if the lady had traveled there or what the details he didnt say.

This is about all i know about it.

I appreciate your input! Hopefully she can be treated soon no matter which it is! It was very disconcerting for her to be told that she has an "exotic disease that I'm not sure there is a treatment for here!"

Her daughter told me that when she came back that she had a definite "bull's eye" ring from what her mother told her was a tick bite she got while on her African trip.

They live in Baton Rouge and, of course, asked their doctor about the possibility of her having LD, and he said, "not a chance."

Well she only lived with Alzheimers for a very short time of just two years before she died.

I believe that whatever that strain of bacteria did lead to her death. I tried so hard to convience them to get her on abx, to no avail.

African tick-bite fever. An imported spotless rickettsiosis.

Brouqui P, Harle JR, Delmont J, Frances C, Weiller PJ, Raoult D.

Unite des Rickettsies, Faculte et Medecine, Hopital F. Houphouet Boigny, Marseille, France.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the clinical presentation and course of African tick-bite fever, a recently rediscovered rickettsiosis caused by Rickettsia africae (a new species within the spotted fever group of rickettsiae), to establish its relationship with Amblyomma tick species, and to discuss its role in the etiology of fever in patients who are returning from the tropics. PATIENTS: Seven patients who returned from Zimbabwe of the Republic of South Africa and presented with fever. METHODS: Cases were recognized clinically by the presence of multiple taches noire and were diagnosed as having a rickettsial infection by identification of the organisms in circulating endothelial cells. The causative role of R africae was further demonstrated using cross-absorption and immunoblotting of patients' serum samples and isolation of the agent from blood and skin biopsy specimens. Isolates were characterized using the restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of the gene that encodes for the 190-kd Rickettsia-specific antigen. RESULTS: All 7 patients presented with fever and multiple taches noire. Further physical examination of patients revealed lymphadenopathy, lymphangitis, and edema, but there were virtually no signs of a rash. These findings are characteristic of R africae-infected patients and are distinct from those observed in patients with Rickettsia conorii-induced Mediterranean spotted fever. All 7 patients were infected with R africae as demonstrated by immunoblotting or isolation of the agent, and all were cured. CONCLUSIONS: With increasing international travel, a need for the recognition of rickettsial diseases by physicians is becoming more important. Tick-bite fever, a disease caused by R africae and transmitted by Amblyomma ticks, is characterized by multiple taches noire, lymphadenopathy, lymphangitis, and edema, but no rash or a discrete rash. It is a frequent but benign disease that physicians should consider when presented with febrile patients returning from southern Africa.

Publication Types:
Case Reports
Review
Review of Reported Cases

It, too, is a rickettial bacteria and as I understand it, it's spirochetal in it's makeup. If that makes any sense.

As I understand it, and believe me that is very limited, it's Rickettia Conorii.

I think I need to look further into this, but, there is limited information about this Tropical Bunt Tick pertaining to humans. This could be the reason I have not had a good response to 2.5 years of treatment. I just don't know.

But, I find this very interesting as I have never heard of, until yesterday, about the Tropical Bunt Tick. But, I do know that it is known to be carrier several diseases.

So, much to learn even after several years of researching. I even at one time thought that I had some strange and little known tropical disease.

quote:

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Originally posted by Magdalena:
I am being treated for Lyme and have a friend who has a lot of the symptoms of Lyme. However; she had Africa Tick Fever in her 20's (grew up in South Africa and did not move to the states until '80.) She asked my MD about the possiblity of her having Lyme and he told her that Lyme is not in Africa and that he knows nothing about treating African Tick Fever.

She also cared for an Alzheimer's patient for 2 years and the patient died in March. My point being that some associate Lyme with Alzhiemer's and some state that Lyme CAN be passed on other than through a tick bite.

My question is: Does anyone know about Lyme vs African Tick Fever???

Is there such a thing as Chronic African Tick Fever and how does one find out about the treatment???

Can one have Lyme AND Chronic African Tick Fever???

I have researched and can only find articles discussing the ACUTE phase of African Tick Fever. NOTHING ABOUT CHRONIC AFRICAN TICK FEVER... Any ideas???

Thanks!

Magdalena

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quote:

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Originally posted by lymealiveandkicking:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by treepatrol:
[b]It is a frequent but benign disease that physicians should consider when presented with febrile patients returning from southern Africa.

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[/B][/QUOTE]

Yes, Lymealiveandkicking,

I agree with all of your comments! Thanks for your reply!

quote:

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Originally posted by rosesisland2000:
In doing an extensive search for something and since all my symptoms started out as dermatological, I just may have been bit by the Tropical Bunt Tick while living in St. Croix, USVI when my symptoms started.

It, too, is a rickettial bacteria and as I understand it, it's spirochetal in it's makeup. If that makes any sense.

As I understand it, and believe me that is very limited, it's Rickettia Conorii.

I think I need to look further into this, but, there is limited information about this Tropical Bunt Tick pertaining to humans. This could be the reason I have not had a good response to 2.5 years of treatment. I just don't know.

But, I find this very interesting as I have never heard of, until yesterday, about the Tropical Bunt Tick. But, I do know that it is known to be carrier several diseases.

So, much to learn even after several years of researching. I even at one time thought that I had some strange and little known tropical disease.

Rosemary,

Thanks for your responses! I wish you the BEST in your research and hope that you find the answers that you need... SOON!

I also am sorry about your elderly cousin not getting the help that they needed! It is maddening to suspect an illness that is TREATABLE and then to see that happen!

I am certain that Alzheimer's in some instances IS related to tick-borne diseases. We just have to keep on keeping on with this kind of communication and education!

May your persistence and research bring help to others as you pursue this!

Thanks,
Magdalena

Rosemary

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I am trying to reply to posts and am new at this! Will you or someone let me know if I am hitting the wrong button??? Thanks. I want to repond to specific posts and am re-copying the entire post... not sure that is the way it works... or even HOW that happened... (smile... help!)

Thank you for this article. I checked this out actually before finding Lymenet so was familiar with it, but you were kind to post this for me and for others!

My questions are many.

Firstly, ATF is referred to as BENIGN as others have commented. Wonder WHO came up with that one???

Secondly, this article is referring to those RECENTLY returning from Africa and my friend has not been there in over 12 years so we are looking EITHER at "CHRONIC" AFRICAN TICK FEVER which is classified as "Rickettsia africae" OR we are looking at recently acquired LYME through the patient with Alzheimer's. And possibly ALL of the co-infections. This is just MY opinion...

If it is Rickettsia africae and NOT Lyme the MD is telling her that no one here treats that which I find difficult to believe, but what do I know???

I had LYME for at least 4 and possibly 12 years and was diagnosed 4 months ago so who am I???

BUT once I wake up I am awake and I find her symptoms remarkably like those of LYME except she has no signs of fibromyalgia.

Since the MD immediately assumes it is ATF, he is NOT going to test her for Lyme! Which I think is a mistake! She COULD have BOTH!

She was in an auto accident last October and sutained a full body whiplash. Since then she has had an increase in the intensity and frequency of her symptoms...

Her blood sugar in low, low and she cannot sustain it no matter what diet she is on...

She has neuro symptoms that are classic and focal seizures as well.

She is extremely fatigued and has neuropathy in her arms and hands such that she can no longer perform her job as a massage therapist and only works at minimum wage for a few hours a week.

Her thyroid is hypofunctioning as well as her adrenals.

Her heart is flip-flopping and she faints at the drop of a hat!

And her spleen is enlarged.

So, you see why I am trying to help. She lives in an adjoining state. She has no family here and is on very limited income. (A LOT of us know about that!)

A friend of mine who has educated me re: Lyme suggested that I come to this flash board for help.

I SO APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING!!!

WE TRULY DO NEED ONE ANOTHER and I AM IMPRESSED WITH THE KIND AND THOUGHTFUL RESPONSES THAT I HAVE GOTTEN!

Thanks again,

This way it makes your topic not get so long that folks have to scroll so much and the Reply with Quote is just repeating the post you are reply to.

So, unless you are replying to a specific detail of a poster's post, it would be more condusive to just click the links at the top or the bottom of the page.

You ALL are being very patient with me and I appreciate it. I see now what you are talking about re: quotes.... THANKS!

Lymealiveandkicking,

Thanks for the info and I will check out the link!

I am GLAD that you are alive and kicking!

I just went off all my treatments and am going to be re-tested for mycoplasmas and co-infections. Have been off Doxy for 4 days now and have had no IV's for 7 days and almost can't walk or think! It has been dramatic!

SO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SO KIND!