I am disturbed by the cavalier attitude displayed in the 10/24/04 article on Lyme, the most prevalent US vector-borne disease and the most common tick-borne bacterial disease in the world.

Two days earlier, at a joint accredited medical conference sponsored by the national non-profit Lyme Disease Association and Columbia University, almost 300 health care providers heard newly published Lyme disease research (Proceeding of National Academy of Science). Genomic experts from several institutions and TIGR, the Institute of Genomic Research, concluded Lyme bacteria have ability to freely exchange genetic material to ensure survival. Additionally, long-awaited NIH-funded Columbia University study results revealed long-term treatment is effective in study patients.

Coverage by NY Times was notably absent.

Regretfully, the Times lacks an informed view of Lyme disease which could have been garnered from the perspective of a cutting-edge physician who attended the conference. It's time to get the real scoop on Lyme disease's scope and devastation.