Common Tick-Borne Disease
Common Tick-Borne Diseases
The most common Tick-Borne diseases in the Northeast are Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, Bartonellosis, and Ehrlichiosis/Anaplasmosis​:
Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is caused by a corkscrew-shaped spirochete bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacteria can be in found in the brain, nervous system, muscles, joints and heart producing symptoms that mimic diseases like Parkinsons Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, movement disorders, and depression making Lyme disease "The Great Imitator”.
Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria have the ability to morph into any one of 3 different forms (spirochete, l-form, and cyst form) to avoid being detected by the immune system. Its ability to change form, colonize into a bio-film and a 7-day replication cycle enables it to avoid being killed by any short-term antibiotic therapy. In the cyst form, Borrelia bacteria can remain dormant and go undetected for years until a suppressed immune system signals the bacteria it's safe to change form and invade another organ.
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Lyme Disease infections are usually associated with a "bullseye" rash although not everyone who has Lyme exhibits this rash. The rash can appear in several days or can take up to a year before it's visible.
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It's possible for Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria to be transferred from mother to child during birth or to a partner through sexual contact. Lyme disease is typically treated with one or several different antibiotics used in combination (Amoxicillin, Cefuroxime, Ceftriaxone by injection and Doxycycline).
Babesiosis
Babesiosis is caused by the parasite Babesia Microti which infects red blood cells similar to malaria pathogens. Like Lyme disease, it can be transmitted from mother to unborn child and has been found in the blood supply (blood is not screened for Tick-borne infections). Babesiosis can be life-threatening to the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.
At least 20 different forms of Babesia bacteria have been identified in the United States. Babesiosis is typically treated with a combination of antimalarial drugs and antibiotics. Retreatment may be necessary as relapses occur often.
Bartonellosis
Bartonellosis is caused by the Bartonella bacteria that live primarily in the blood of cats. The bacteria can be transmitted to humans by a simple scratch (aka. cat-scratch fever disease) or a bite from an infected tick or other biting insects (fleas, body lice). Approximately 25% of cats are carriers of this bacteria in their blood and on their claws.
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Bartonella bacteria are often referred to as "stealth" bacteria due to its chemical makeup allowing it to go undetected by a person's immune system. The Bartonella bacteria exploit the lack of an immune system response allowing the bacteria to take up residence in the circulatory, lymph systems, red blood cells, cells that line the inside surfaces of body cavities, and the immune system cells. Bartonella can cause damage to the cell mitochondria which are specialized areas in body cells that are responsible for creating most of the body's energy. Most often patients with Bartonella infections have a low body temperature and an intolerance to cold.
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A recent study suggests that Bartonella, like Lyme Disease, may also be passed from mother to unborn child. Fluoroquinolones and doxycycline are sometimes successful in treating Bartonella infections and in some cases several antibiotics are used in combination to tackle the disease. Up to 5 different Bartonella strains have been detected so far in 19% of ticks collected in California.
Ehrlichosis / Anaplasmosis
Ehrlichiosis/Anaplasmosis - Ehrlichiosis is the general term used to describe Tick-Borne diseases caused by the bacterium Anaplasma and Ehrlichia. These bacteria infect white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. The disease can be life-threatening in older people or people with compromised immune systems. Patients who do not respond well to antibiotic treatment for Lyme Disease may have an Ehrlichiosis / Anaplasmosis co-infection. Anaplasmosis is typically treated with Doxycycline / Rifampin or a multi-protocol antibiotic therapy when Doxycycline is ineffective.
Physicians should always consider the presence of a co-infection when patients have multiple or severe symptoms that do not respond to treatment.
INCUBATION PERIODS FOR TICK-BORNE DISEASES (CDC)
Lyme Disease: 3-30 days
Anaplasmosis: 7-14 days
Bartonellosis: 5-20 days
Babesiosis: 7-56 days
Ehrlichosis: 7-14 days