Del-Mar-Va Now

June 28, 2004

Dear Editor,

Your article, Lyme Disease Troubles Shore, by Laura D'Alessandro couldn't be more accurate or timely. Thank you for your concern for our local residents.

Maryland has an exceptionally high percentage of ticks infected with Lyme disease, nearly

double the national average. In a recent CDC study it was determined that over 80

percent of the ticks collected on the eastern shore were found to be infected with Lyme

disease, the highest rate reported by the researchers.

The International Lyme and Associated Disease Society (ILADS) recently published

medical guidelines for diagnosing and treating Lyme disease (2004). Their report

indicates Lyme disease, as your article also states, is a "clinical diagnosis". Blood tests are

not to be used to rule out the infection. ILADS warns, "Diagnosis of Lyme Disease by

two-tier confirmation {current blood testing procedures} fails to detect up to 90 percent

of cases...”

To compound the problems, less than 50 percent of Lyme patients report a tick bite and

less than 50 percent develop a typical rash.

Growing numbers of Lyme patients have been determined to be co-infected with other tick

borne diseases and have become chronically ill by not being properly diagnosed and

treated. Coinfections being found in Maryland patients include Babesiosis, Bartonelliosis

(Cat Scratch Fever and Trench Fever), Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Parvo virus,

Tularemia, Mycoplasmas, and Ehrilichiosis, to name a few.

There is a long history of infected patients being misdiagnosed with conditions other than

Lyme and/or coinfections, such as, fibromyalgia, CFS, MS, Lou Gehrigs, arthritis,

Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, Lupus, cardiac disorders, ringworm, ADD, ADHD, panic

disorders, Bell’s Palsy, mononucleosis, Epstein Barr virus, depression, autoimmune

diseases, stress-related illness, sleep disorders, thyroid problems, TMJ, anorexia,

connective tissue diseases, hearing disorders, Crohn’s disease, and/or respiratory

problems. If anyone has health related problems and suspects Lyme, they are advised to

contact the Lyme Disease Association, toll free @ 1-888-366-6611.

Sincerely,

Lucy Barnes