Lyme disease. Firstly some background info.
Our HPA (Health Protection Agency) give guidelines to GPs as to the diagnosis and treatment of lyme disease in the UK. Unfortunately they are following recommendations of the IDSA (Infectious Disease Society of America) which are based on faulty science. They advise a short treatment with normal doses of antibiotics. Regrettably antibiotics have to be at high levels for 2-3 weeks to successfully treat the condition.
Will go through the scenario with comments.
Infected tick bites stalker. Now perceived wisdom is that must be present for a while to set up infection. Latest research indicates infection can be much earlier. The sign most people look for is Erythema migrans (bull's eye) This is a red rash spreading around the bite Like a stone dropped in water giving waves. In some cases this can be anywhere on the body away from the bite. Only present in approx 40% of cases.
Feeling as previously posted, visit to GP. Not seen it before etc. Take blood sample. Ticks carry other bacteria as well so you can get a non specific rise in Immunogloblins Ig M. Negative for Lyme Disease. Wrong Need to test for Ig A specific to Borrrelia species This only develops in the body 4-8 weeks after infection. The tests are Elisa and/or IFA.
In America Lyme Disease is due exclusively to Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). These tests are very insensitive and can give false negatives To further complicate the issue the majority of cases in the UK are caused by Borrelia garinii (Bg). A close relative of Bb so an insensitive test is even worse at detecting a response to these. The next test to confirm a diagnosis is an immunoblot test ( Western blot ) Now when they were developing the antibodies for the test they left out some of the key bits. Thus false negatives.
There is a further test PCR which detects the DNA of the bacteria. Now you need a full breakdown of the spirochaete for comparison, thus the bits left out originally become relevant.
All these tests take time and you are feeling worse and worse. Danger of becoming chronic when you are then in big trouble. As need to have intravenous antibiotics then.
There is a big conference in Boston USA in October for the great and good on Lyme disease and I have a contact who will let me have the latest info.
Also I have contact with a research microbiologist who could be interested in testing ticks for presence of Borrelia species as part of his research. I personally think this is well worth doing as it could give us a picture of what's going on in areas we stalk. If sufficient people are prepared to submit ticks would they pm me and I can go back to him and say so many are prepared to collect ticks.
Always bear in mind as well our dogs can get this disease which comes up as swollen joints arthritis etc. I first became interested when a greyhound developed it and subsequently saw gun dogs with it. Fortunately I had a contact in the States at the time and he pushed tests for me. The local experts were interested but no help.
