Note the rash from bartonella

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Overlooked Infections Associated with Lyme Disease

Lucy

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’.

Lyme and other 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, urological manifestations, and are known to cause life threatening cardiac abnormalities.

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 Biaxin 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, Bartonella can become chronic and difficult to eradicate.

Treatment: Antibiotics, such as Doxycycline, Rifampin, Ciprofloxacin, or a combination, 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% 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% in untreated cases.

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

Ask your doctor about other tick borne diseases and viruses including STARI, Tularemia, Brucelliosis, Anaplasmas, Leptospirosis, Histoplasmosis, and Mycoplasmas. For more information contact:

The Lyme Disease Association PO Box 1438, , NJ 08527 Toll free 1-888-366-6611 http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/

ILADS- International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society

Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines for Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses ph J. Burrascano Jr., MD 14th Edition, Copyright 11/2002 http://www.ilads.org/burrascano_1102.htm

For assistance and latest research developments, physicians may contact:

The International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS)

P.O. Box 341461, Bethesda, MD 20827-1461 http://www.ilads.org/

Lyme Net - http://www.lymenet.org/ For the online support group, click on "Flash Discussions"

IGeneX, Inc. 797 San Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303 Toll free (800) 832-3200 Fax (650) 424.1196

http://www.ilads.org/lyme_flyer.htm