Overlooked infections associated with Lyme disease

By: LUCY BARNES, Special to The Star Democrat (Maryland)

March 03, 2003

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 do***ented (spirochetal, spheroplast, and cystic form), is merely the underlying foundation of the comprehensive infectious soup currently referred to as Lyme disease.

To complicate the Lyme picture there are a growing number of tick borne infections such as Bartonella (trench fever, cat scratch fever), Babesiosis (WA-1, microti), Ehrlichiosis (HGE, HME), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever,

STARI, Tularemia (rabbit fever), Brucelliosis, Leptospirosis, and Mycoplasmas which have been detected in patients with Lyme disease. All too often these infections are being overlooked or subsequently misdiagnosed and not treated properly.

The CDC warns that early diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease are important strategies to avoid the costs and complications of infection and late-stage illness.

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

Without prompt and aggressive treatment they may lead to a significant degree of immune suppression and/or death.

If you have been diagnosed with, or even suspect you may have Lyme disease, it would be to your advantage to locate a competent practitioner who is extremely familiar with updated testing procedures, clinical diagnoses, and treating Lyme and the associated co-infections.

Unfortunately, many of the local university, hospital, and commercial labs are unable to perform the definitive tests required to detect newly discovered strains or forms of bacteria and the variety of co-infections

which exist in Maryland. Many people are, therefore, not being tested or treated.

The CDC states that Lyme disease is greatly under reported. Education and prevention are essential to reduce the growing numbers of cases of tick borne illnesses.

Listed below are a few of the more common co-infections associated with Lyme disease which are epidemic in Maryland.

Tick borne infections associated with Lyme disease:

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 Baixin 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 it can become chronic and difficult to

eradicate.

Treatment: There is no set treatment protocol that works in all patients.

Antibiotics, such as Doxycycline, Rifampin, Ciprofloxacin, ora combination

of antibiotics 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 percent 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 percent in untreated cases.

Treatment: The most common treatment for RMSF is Doxycycline which should be

started immediately if this disease is suspected.

Note: Ask your doctor about other tick borne diseases and viruses including

STARI, Tularemia, Brucelliosis, Anaplasmas, Leptospirosis, and Mycoplasmas.

For more information about Lyme Disease, contact:

* Lyme Disease Association: 1-888-366-6611

* Lyme Net: Lymenet.org

©The Star Democrat 2003

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Reader Opinions

Post your opinion and share your thoughts with other readers!

Name: mary pat

Date: Mar, 10 2003

Excellant report on tick borne diseases. The author certainly has a wide

knowledge base of the subject matter at hand. Would appreciate seeing more

articles on this very current and relevent subject.

Name: Lou Bachmann

Date: Mar, 10 2003

This article accurately depects the significant variety of diseases that can

be the result of a simple tick bite. Lyme and the other tick borne diseases

can lead to serious and horrible illnesses. Thank you for publishing this

very important information. Lou B

Name: Sandi Lanford

Date: Mar, 09 2003

Excellent information that is rarely shared on the infections that piggyback

the Lyme bacteria. We need more articles on Lyme disease, as there isn't

enough reliable information published to help educate the public about this

disease.

Name: Shirley Thomas

Date: Mar, 09 2003

Thank you for printing such an informed article about Lyme Disease and the

many co-infections that can be associated with it. Both my son and I have

Lyme Disease. It has effected our entire family. However, we were both very

fortunate because we were diagnosed and treated early, many people are not

so lucky. Education is so very important and you are doing a wonderful

service by educating the public about these diseases. Thank you again for

the very good article. Sincerely, Mrs. S. Thomas St. Clair County, Michigan