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Mokashi NV, Marusiak AB, Giandomenico D, Barbarin AM, Williams C, Seagle SW, Howard AG, Delamater PL, Boyce RM. Spatiotemporal patterns of Lyme disease in North Carolina: 2010-2020. LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. AMERICAS 2024; 35:100792. [PMID: 38883560 PMCID: PMC11177193 DOI: 10.1016/j.lana.2024.100792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Background Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States with the majority of cases occurring in the Northeast, upper Midwest, and mid-Atlantic regions. While historically considered a low incidence state, North Carolina (NC) has reported an increasing number of cases over the past decade. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterise the spatiotemporal evolution of Lyme disease in NC from 2010 to 2020. Methods Confirmed and probable cases reported to the NC Division of Public Health without associated travel to high-transmission state were included in the analysis. The study period was divided into four sub-periods and data were aggregated by zip code of residence. The absolute change in incidence was mapped and spatial autocorrelation analyses were performed within each sub-period. Findings We identified the largest absolute changes in incidence in zip codes located in northwestern NC along the Appalachian Mountains. The spatial distribution of cases became increasingly clustered over the study period (Moran's I of 0.012, p = 0.127 in 2010-2012 vs. 0.403, p < 0.0001 in 2019-2020). Identified clusters included 22 high-incidence zip codes in the 2019-2020 sub-period, largely overlapping with the same areas experiencing the greatest absolute changes in disease incidence. Interpretation Lyme disease has rapidly emerged in northwestern NC with some zip codes reporting incidence rates similar to historically high incidence regions across the US Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest. Efforts are urgently needed to raise awareness among medical providers to prevent excess morbidity. Funding Funding was provided by a "Creativity Hub" award from the UNC Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research. Additional support was provided by Southeastern Center of Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases (U01CK000662).
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha V Mokashi
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Amanda Brown Marusiak
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dana Giandomenico
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Alexis M Barbarin
- Division of Public Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Carl Williams
- Division of Public Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Steven W Seagle
- Department of Biology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA
| | - Annie Green Howard
- Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Paul L Delamater
- Department of Geography, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ross M Boyce
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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2
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Telford SR, Stewart PE, Bloom ME. Increasing Risk for Tick-Borne Disease: What Should Clinicians Know? JAMA Intern Med 2024:2819479. [PMID: 38829668 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.1754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
This clinical insights article examines reasons behind the increase in tick-borne diseases and what clinicians should know about diagnosis and mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam R Telford
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Grafton, Massachusetts
| | - Philip E Stewart
- Biology of Vector Borne Viruses, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana
| | - Marshall E Bloom
- Biology of Vector Borne Viruses, Laboratory of Virology, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, Montana
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Yıldız AB, Çetin E, Pınarlık F, Keske Ş, Can F, Ergönül Ö. Discrepancy between IDSA and ESGBOR in Lyme disease: Individual participant meta-analysis in Türkiye. Zoonoses Public Health 2024; 71:337-348. [PMID: 38413371 DOI: 10.1111/zph.13119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evidence on the prevalence of Lyme borreliosis (LB) is limited, but there is a suspicion of overdiagnosis of LB in recent years. We reviewed the LB diagnosis and treatment-related data in Türkiye, based on the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) 2020 and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Study Group for Lyme Borreliosis (ESGBOR) 2018 guidelines. By detecting the disagreements between these two, we outlined the areas to be improved for future guidelines. METHODS We performed a literature search according to the PRISMA guidelines in PubMed, Ovid-Medline, Web of Science, Turkish Medline, Scopus, CINAHL, ULAKBIM TR Index, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library databases. We included the published cases in a database and evaluated according to IDSA and ESGBOR guidelines. We outlined the reasons for misdiagnoses and inappropriate uses of antibiotics. RESULTS We included 42 relevant studies with 84 LB cases reported from Türkiye between 1990 and December 2022. Among 84 cases, the most common clinical findings were nervous system findings (n = 37, 44.0%), erythema migrans (n = 29, 34.5%) and ophthalmologic findings (n = 15, 17.9%). The IDSA 2020 and ESGBOR 2018 guidelines agreed on the diagnosis of 71 (84.5%) cases; there was an agreement that 31 cases (36.9%) were misdiagnosed and 40 cases (47.6%) were correctly diagnosed, and there was disagreement for 13 cases (15.5%). Serum immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgG measurements by ELISA and western blot were widely performed, and they were effective in definitive diagnosis merely when used according to guidelines. Inappropriate use of antibiotics was detected in 42 (50.0%) of cases which were classified in the following categories: incorrect LB diagnosis, inappropriate choice of antibiotic, inappropriate route of drug administration and prolonged antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION Overdiagnosis and non-adherence to guidelines is a common problem. The discordance between seroprevalence and clinical studies necessitates a consensus over the best clinical approach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ecesu Çetin
- Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatihan Pınarlık
- Graduate School of Health Sciences, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Koç University-Isbank Center for Infectious Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Şiran Keske
- Koç University-Isbank Center for Infectious Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Füsun Can
- Koç University-Isbank Center for Infectious Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Önder Ergönül
- Koç University-Isbank Center for Infectious Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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Roca Mora MM, Cunha LM, Godoi A, Donadon I, Clemente M, Marcolin P, Valenzuela S A, Wormser GP. Shorter versus longer duration of antimicrobial therapy for early Lyme disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 109:116215. [PMID: 38493509 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2024.116215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic therapy for patients with early Lyme disease is necessary to prevent later-stage Lyme disease complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis compares shorter versus longer antibiotic regimens in treating early Lyme disease. METHODS A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials was conducted up to November 2023. We examined treatment failure, complete response, and photosensitivity. Short vs. long therapy was defined as ≤10 days vs. >10 days. Subgroup analyses included antibiotic type and varying treatment durations. Analysis utilized RStudio 4.1.2. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023423876. RESULTS Seven studies, encompassing 1,462 patients, were analyzed. No significant differences in treatment failure, 12-month complete response, final visit complete response were found between short and long durations of antibiotic therapy. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses corroborated these findings. CONCLUSION Shorter and longer antibiotic regimens for early Lyme disease show similar efficacy, highlighting the potential of ≤10-day courses, as effective treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amanda Godoi
- Cardiff School of Medicine, Wales, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Andres Valenzuela S
- Pontificia Universidad Católica, Chile; McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Gary P Wormser
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, New York, United States
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Wormser GP, Mather TN, Rich SM. Could Treating Deer with a Pill that Kills Ticks on Dogs Eliminate Lyme Disease from Humans? Am J Med 2024:S0002-9343(24)00284-5. [PMID: 38735353 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2024.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Gary P Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla.
| | - Thomas N Mather
- Center for Vector-borne Disease, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI; New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases, Amherst, Mass
| | - Stephen M Rich
- New England Center of Excellence in Vector-borne Diseases, Amherst, Mass; Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
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Javed N, Sklyar E, Bella JN. Associations of Atrioventricular Blocks and Other Arrhythmias in Patients with Lyme Carditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2024; 11:131. [PMID: 38786953 PMCID: PMC11121903 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd11050131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease often leads to cardiac injury and electrophysiological abnormalities. This study aimed to explore links between atrioventricular blocks and additional arrhythmias in Lyme carditis patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis of existing literature was performed from 1990 to 2023, and aimed to identify cases of Lyme carditis through serology or clinical diagnosis with concomitant arrhythmias. Pubmed and Web of Science were searched using appropriate MESH terms. Patients were divided into groups with atrioventricular blocks and other arrhythmias for cardiovascular (CV) outcome assessment. A total of 110 cases were analyzed. The majority (77.3%) were male, with mean age = 39.65 ± 14.80 years. Most patients presented within one week of symptom onset (30.9%). Men were more likely to have first-degree atrioventricular blocks (OR = 1.36 [95% CI 1.12-3.96], p = 0.01); these blocks tended to be reversible in nature (OR = 1.51 [95% CI 1.39-3.92], p = 0.01). Men exhibited a higher likelihood of experiencing variable arrhythmias (OR = 1.31 [95% CI 1.08-2.16], p < 0.001). Ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias were more likely to exhibit instability (OR = 0.96 [95% CI 0.81-1.16] p = 0.01) and variability (OR = 1.99 [95% CI 0.47-8.31], p < 0.001). Men with Lyme carditis are likely to present with various atrioventricular blocks. These atrioventricular blocks are benign, and follow a predictable and stable clinical course. Further large-scale studies are warranted to confirm these associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nismat Javed
- BronxCare Health System, Bronx, NY 10457, USA; (N.J.); (E.S.)
| | - Eduard Sklyar
- BronxCare Health System, Bronx, NY 10457, USA; (N.J.); (E.S.)
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jonathan N. Bella
- BronxCare Health System, Bronx, NY 10457, USA; (N.J.); (E.S.)
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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7
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Taylor-Salmon E, Shapiro ED. Tick-borne infections in children in North America. Curr Opin Pediatr 2024; 36:156-163. [PMID: 38167816 PMCID: PMC10932821 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Because both incidence and awareness of tick-borne infections is increasing, review of major infections and recent advances related to their diagnosis and management is important. RECENT FINDINGS A new algorithm, termed modified two-tier testing, for testing for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi , the cause of Lyme disease, has been approved and may replace traditional two-tier testing. In addition, doxycycline is now acceptable to use for treatment of and/or prophylaxis for Lyme disease for up to 21 days in children of any age. Borrelia miyamotoi , a bacterium in the relapsing fever type of Borrelia, is the first of this type of Borrelia that is transmitted by hard-bodied ticks such as Ixodes scapularis. SUMMARY Awareness of these infections and advances in their diagnosis and treatment is important to assure the best outcomes for affected patients. Table 1 contains a summary of infections discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Taylor-Salmon
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Eugene D Shapiro
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of Medicine
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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8
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Giardini HAM, Neves FS, Pereira IA, Cordeiro RA. Lyme disease and Whipple's disease: a comprehensive review for the rheumatologist. Adv Rheumatol 2024; 64:16. [PMID: 38438928 DOI: 10.1186/s42358-024-00359-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite their rarity, Lyme disease and Whipple's disease are of significant importance in rheumatology, as both can manifest as chronic arthritis, presenting challenges in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory arthropathies. In Lyme disease, arthritis typically emerges as a late manifestation, usually occurring six months after the onset of erythema migrans. The predominant presentation involves mono- or oligoarthritis of large joints, with a chronic or remitting-recurrent course. Even with appropriate antimicrobial treatment, arthritis may persist due to inadequate immunological control triggered by the disease. In contrast, Whipple's disease may present with a migratory and intermittent seronegative poly- or oligoarthritis of large joints, preceding classic gastrointestinal symptoms by several years. Both disorders, particularly Whipple's disease, can be misdiagnosed as more common autoimmune rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis. Epidemiology is crucial in suspecting and diagnosing Lyme disease, as the condition is transmitted by ticks prevalent in specific areas of the United States, Europe, and Asia. On the contrary, the causative agent of Whipple's disease is widespread in the environment, yet invasive disease is rare and likely dependent on host genetic factors. In addition to erythema migrans in Lyme disease and gastrointestinal manifestations in Whipple's disease, neurological and cardiac involvement can further complicate the course of both. This article offers a comprehensive review of the epidemiological, pathophysiological, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Ayres Mayrink Giardini
- Rheumatology Division, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, 455- 3º andar- sala 3192 Cerqueira Cesar, CEP:01246-903, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Fabricio Souza Neves
- Rheumatology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Health Sciences Center, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianopolis, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Rafael Alves Cordeiro
- Rheumatology Division, Faculdade de Medicina FMUSP, Universidade de Sao Paulo, 455- 3º andar- sala 3192 Cerqueira Cesar, CEP:01246-903, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
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9
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Boyce RM, Pretsch P, Tyrlik K, Schulz A, Giandomenico DA, Barbarin AM, Williams C. Delayed Diagnosis of Locally Acquired Lyme Disease, Central North Carolina, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:564-567. [PMID: 38407256 PMCID: PMC10902532 DOI: 10.3201/eid3003.231302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Healthcare providers in North Carolina, USA, have limited experience diagnosing and managing Lyme disease because few cases occur annually statewide. We outline the prolonged diagnostic course for a patient with locally acquired Lyme disease in North Carolina. This case highlights the need for greater awareness and professional education.
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10
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Mah JM, Lo C, O'Connor MD. Isolated Intracranial Hypertension as a Presentation of Pediatric Lyme Borreliosis: A Case Report and Literature Review. Pediatr Neurol 2024; 152:196-199. [PMID: 38301323 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is extremely rare for Lyme borreliosis to present solely with features of increased intracranial pressure. The treatment of pediatric Lyme neuroborreliosis with oral versus intravenous antibiotics remains controversial. METHODS Case report and literature review. RESULTS A 13-year-old male presented with five days of binocular diplopia, several weeks of headache, and a history of multiple tick bites six weeks prior. His examination showed a left eye abduction deficit and bilateral optic disc edema. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain with contrast showed tortuosity of the optic nerves, prominence of the optic nerve sheaths, and enhancement of the left fifth and bilateral sixth cranial nerves. Lumbar puncture showed an elevated opening pressure and a lymphocytic pleocytosis. Lyme IgM and IgG antibodies were positive in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. The patient was treated with intravenous ceftriaxone for two days empirically followed by doxycycline by mouth for 19 days. Symptoms began improving after 48 hours. The strabismus resolved after two weeks, and the papilledema improved slowly with complete resolution at six months. CONCLUSIONS Lyme neuroborreliosis can present as isolated intracranial hypertension in the pediatric population; it can be differentiated from idiopathic intracranial hypertension on MRI, and lumbar puncture and can be confirmed with serum antibody testing. Oral doxycycline can be considered for Lyme neuroborreliosis in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Mah
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, Roger Guindon Hall, Ottawa, Ontario.
| | - Cody Lo
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, Roger Guindon Hall, Ottawa, Ontario
| | - Michael D O'Connor
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ottawa, Roger Guindon Hall, Ottawa, Ontario
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Bowman KA, Wiggins CD, DeRiso E, Paul S, Strle K, Branda JA, Steere AC, Lauffenburger DA, Alter G. Borrelia-specific antibody profiles and complement deposition in joint fluid distinguish antibiotic-refractory from -responsive Lyme arthritis. iScience 2024; 27:108804. [PMID: 38303696 PMCID: PMC10830897 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Lyme arthritis, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, is the most common feature of late disseminated Lyme disease in the United States. While most Lyme arthritis resolves with antibiotics, termed "antibiotic-responsive", some individuals develop progressive synovitis despite antibiotic therapy, called "antibiotic-refractory" Lyme arthritis (LA). The primary drivers behind antibiotic-refractory arthritis remain incompletely understood. We performed a matched, cross-compartmental comparison of antibody profiles from blood and joint fluid of individuals with antibiotic-responsive (n = 11) or antibiotic-refractory LA (n = 31). While serum antibody profiles poorly discriminated responsive from refractory patients, a discrete profile of B.burgdorferi-specific antibodies in joint fluid discriminated antibiotic-responsive from refractory LA. Cross-compartmental comparison of antibody glycosylation, IgA1, and antibody-dependent complement deposition (ADCD) revealed more poorly coordinated humoral responses and increased ADCD in refractory disease. These data reveal B.burgdorferi-specific serological markers that may support early stratification and clinical management, and point to antibody-dependent complement activation as a key mechanism underlying persistent disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn A. Bowman
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christine D. Wiggins
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Elizabeth DeRiso
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Steffan Paul
- Marks Group, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Klemen Strle
- Tufts University School of Medicine Boston, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John A. Branda
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Allen C. Steere
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Douglas A. Lauffenburger
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Galit Alter
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Moderna Therapeutics Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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Fletcher AM, Bhattacharyya S. Infectious Myelopathies. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2024; 30:133-159. [PMID: 38330476 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Infectious myelopathy of any stage and etiology carries the potential for significant morbidity and mortality. This article details the clinical presentation, risk factors, and key diagnostic components of infectious myelopathies with the goal of improving the recognition of these disorders and guiding subsequent management. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Despite our era of advanced multimodal imaging and laboratory diagnostic technology, a causative organism often remains unidentified in suspected infectious and parainfectious myelopathy cases. To improve diagnostic capability, newer technologies such as metagenomics are being harnessed to develop diagnostic assays with a greater breadth of data from each specimen and improvements in infection identification. Conventional assays have been optimized for improved sensitivity and specificity. ESSENTIAL POINTS Prompt recognition and treatment of infectious myelopathy decreases morbidity and mortality. The key diagnostic tools include serologies, CSF analysis, and imaging; however clinical presentation, epidemiologic risk factors, and history of recent illness are all vital to making the proper diagnosis because current laboratory and imaging modalities are often inconclusive. The cornerstone of recommended treatment is targeted antimicrobials with appropriate immune modulation, surgical intervention, supportive care, and interdisciplinary involvement, all of which further improve outcomes for patients with infectious myelopathy.
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Stupica D, Collinet-Adler S, Kejžar N, Velušček M, Boršič K. Which trial do we need? Treatment of multiple erythema migrans with doxycycline for 7 days versus 14 days. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024; 30:159-161. [PMID: 37353079 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daša Stupica
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Stefan Collinet-Adler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Park Nicollet/Health Partners, Methodist Hospital, Saint Louis Park, MN, USA
| | - Nataša Kejžar
- Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maša Velušček
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Boršič
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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14
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Ogden NH, Dumas A, Gachon P, Rafferty E. Estimating the Incidence and Economic Cost of Lyme Disease Cases in Canada in the 21st Century with Projected Climate Change. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:27005. [PMID: 38349724 PMCID: PMC10863724 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lyme disease (LD) is emerging in Canada owing to the range expansion of the tick vector Ixodes scapularis (I. scapularis). OBJECTIVES Our objective was to estimate future LD incidence in Canada, and economic costs, for the 21st century with projected climate change. METHODS Future regions of climatic suitability for I. scapularis were projected from temperature output of the North American Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment regional climate model ensemble using greenhouse gas Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5. Once regions became climatically suitable for ticks, an algorithm derived from tick and LD case surveillance data projected subsequent increasing LD incidence. Three scenarios (optimistic, intermediate, and pessimistic) for maximum incidence at endemicity were selected based on LD surveillance, and underreporting estimates, from the United States. Health care and productivity cost estimates of LD cases were obtained from the literature. RESULTS Projected annual LD cases for Canada ranged from 120,000 to > 500,000 by 2050. Variation in incidence was mostly due to the maximum incidence at endemicity selected, with minor contributions from variations among climate models and RCPs. Projected annual costs were substantial, ranging from CA $ 0.5 billion to $ 2.0 billion a year by 2050. There was little difference in projected incidence and economic cost between RCPs, and from 2050 to 2100, because projected climate up to 2050 is similar for RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 (mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions captured in RCP4.5 does not impact climate before the 2050s) and by 2050 the most densely populated areas of the study region are projected to be climatically suitable for ticks. CONCLUSIONS Future incidence and economic costs of LD in Canada are likely to be substantial, but uncertainties remain. Because densely populated areas of Canada are projected to become endemic under conservative climate change scenarios, mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions is unlikely to provide substantial health co-benefits for LD. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13759.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas H. Ogden
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, Scientific Operations and Response, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- Groupe de recherche en épidémiologie des zoonoses et santé publique, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en santé publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ariane Dumas
- Public Health Risk Sciences Division, Scientific Operations and Response, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Philippe Gachon
- Étude et Simulation du Climat à l’Échelle Régionale centre, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Geography, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ellen Rafferty
- Institute of Health Economics, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Vojdani A, Koksoy S, Vojdani E, Engelman M, Benzvi C, Lerner A. Natural Killer Cells and Cytotoxic T Cells: Complementary Partners against Microorganisms and Cancer. Microorganisms 2024; 12:230. [PMID: 38276215 PMCID: PMC10818828 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T (CD8+) cells are two of the most important types of immune cells in our body, protecting it from deadly invaders. While the NK cell is part of the innate immune system, the CD8+ cell is one of the major components of adaptive immunity. Still, these two very different types of cells share the most important function of destroying pathogen-infected and tumorous cells by releasing cytotoxic granules that promote proteolytic cleavage of harmful cells, leading to apoptosis. In this review, we look not only at NK and CD8+ T cells but also pay particular attention to their different subpopulations, the immune defenders that include the CD56+CD16dim, CD56dimCD16+, CD57+, and CD57+CD16+ NK cells, the NKT, CD57+CD8+, and KIR+CD8+ T cells, and ILCs. We examine all these cells in relation to their role in the protection of the body against different microorganisms and cancer, with an emphasis on their mechanisms and their clinical importance. Overall, close collaboration between NK cells and CD8+ T cells may play an important role in immune function and disease pathogenesis. The knowledge of how these immune cells interact in defending the body against pathogens and cancers may help us find ways to optimize their defensive and healing capabilities with methods that can be clinically applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristo Vojdani
- Immunosciences Laboratory, Inc., Los Angeles, CA 90035, USA
| | - Sadi Koksoy
- Cyrex Laboratories, LLC, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA; (S.K.); (M.E.)
| | | | - Mark Engelman
- Cyrex Laboratories, LLC, Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA; (S.K.); (M.E.)
| | - Carina Benzvi
- Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; (C.B.); (A.L.)
| | - Aaron Lerner
- Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; (C.B.); (A.L.)
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16
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Monaghan M, Norman S, Gierdalski M, Marques A, Bost JE, DeBiasi RL. Pediatric Lyme disease: systematic assessment of post-treatment symptoms and quality of life. Pediatr Res 2024; 95:174-181. [PMID: 36997691 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-023-02577-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lyme disease is common among children and adolescents. Antibiotic treatment is effective, yet some patients report persistent symptoms following treatment, with or without functional impairment. This study characterized long-term outcome of pediatric patients with Lyme disease and evaluated the case definition of post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) syndrome. METHODS The sample included 102 children with confirmed Lyme disease diagnosed 6 months-10 years prior to enrollment (M = 2.0 years). Lyme diagnosis and treatment information was extracted from the electronic health record; parent report identified presence, duration, and impact of symptoms after treatment. Participants completed validated questionnaires assessing health-related quality of life, physical mobility, fatigue, pain, and cognitive impact. RESULTS Most parents reported their child's symptoms resolved completely, although time to full resolution varied. Twenty-two parents (22%) indicated their child had at least one persistent symptom >6 months post-treatment, 13 without functional impairment (PTLD symptoms) and 9 with functional impairment (PTLD syndrome). Children with PTLD syndrome had lower parent-reported Physical Summary scores and greater likelihood of elevated fatigue. CONCLUSIONS In the current study, most children with Lyme disease experienced full resolution of symptoms, including those who initially met PTLD syndrome criteria. Effective communication about recovery rates and common symptoms that may persist post-treatment is needed. IMPACT The majority of pediatric patients treated for all stages of Lyme disease reported full resolution of symptoms within 6 months. 22% of pediatric patients reported one or more symptom persisting >6 months, 9% with and 13% without accompanying functional impairment. Effective communication with families about recovery rates and common symptoms that may persist post-treatment of Lyme disease is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Monaghan
- Divisions of Psychology and Behavioral Health, Washington, DC, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Stephanie Norman
- Center for Translational Research, Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Marcin Gierdalski
- Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
- Center for Translational Research, Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
- Division of Biostatistics and Study Methodology, Childrens National Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Adriana Marques
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James E Bost
- Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
- Center for Translational Research, Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
- Division of Biostatistics and Study Methodology, Childrens National Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Roberta L DeBiasi
- Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
- Center for Translational Research, Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
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17
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Spiro J, Wisniewski P, Schwartz J, Smith AG, Burger S, Tilley DH, Maves RC. Doxycycline Prophylaxis for Skin and Soft Tissue Infections in Naval Special Warfare Trainees, United States 1. Emerg Infect Dis 2024; 30:89-95. [PMID: 38146981 PMCID: PMC10756378 DOI: 10.3201/eid3001.230890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2015, several severe cases of skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) among US Naval Special Warfare trainees prompted the introduction of doxycycline prophylaxis during the highest-risk portion of training, Hell Week. We performed a retrospective analysis of the effect of this intervention on SSTI incidence and resulting hospital admissions during 2013-2020. In total, 3,371 trainees underwent Hell Week training during the study period; 284 SSTIs were diagnosed overall, 29 of which led to hospitalization. After doxycycline prophylaxis was introduced, admission rates for SSTI decreased from 1.37 to 0.64 admissions/100 trainees (p = 0.036). Overall SSTI rates remained stable at 7.42 to 8.86 SSTIs/100 trainees (p = 0.185). Hospitalization rates per diagnosed SSTI decreased from 18.4% to 7.2% (p = 0.009). Average length of hospitalization decreased from 9.01 days to 4.33 days (p = 0.034). Doxycycline prophylaxis was associated with decreased frequency and severity of hospitalization for SSTIs among this population.
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18
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Wang NC. Lyme carditis and accelerated junctional rhythm with intermittent left bundle branch block and paroxysmal atrioventricular block. HeartRhythm Case Rep 2024; 10:86-91. [PMID: 38264114 PMCID: PMC10801134 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrcr.2023.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Norman C. Wang
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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19
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Bransfield RC, Mao C, Greenberg R. Microbes and Mental Illness: Past, Present, and Future. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 12:83. [PMID: 38200989 PMCID: PMC10779437 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A review of the association between microbes and mental illness is performed, including the history, relevant definitions, infectious agents associated with mental illnesses, complex interactive infections, total load theory, pathophysiology, psychoimmunology, psychoneuroimmunology, clinical presentations, early-life infections, clinical assessment, and treatment. Perspectives on the etiology of mental illness have evolved from demonic possession toward multisystem biologically based models that include gene expression, environmental triggers, immune mediators, and infectious diseases. Microbes are associated with a number of mental disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders, as well as suicidality and aggressive or violent behaviors. Specific microbes that have been associated or potentially associated with at least one of these conditions include Aspergillus, Babesia, Bartonella, Borna disease virus, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Candida, Chlamydia, coronaviruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), Cryptococcus neoformans, cytomegalovirus, enteroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis C, herpes simplex virus, human endogenous retroviruses, human immunodeficiency virus, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, influenza viruses, measles virus, Mycoplasma, Plasmodium, rubella virus, Group A Streptococcus (PANDAS), Taenia solium, Toxoplasma gondii, Treponema pallidum (syphilis), Trypanosoma, and West Nile virus. Recognition of the microbe and mental illness association with the development of greater interdisciplinary research, education, and treatment options may prevent and reduce mental illness morbidity, disability, and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C. Bransfield
- Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutey, NJ 07110, USA
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20
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Fagen JL, Shelton JA, Luché-Thayer J. Medical Gaslighting and Lyme Disease: The Patient Experience. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 12:78. [PMID: 38200984 PMCID: PMC10778834 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12010078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Even though there are approximately half a million new cases of Lyme disease in the US annually, according to the CDC, it is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, which can result in a chronic, multisystemic condition. Lyme disease is a recognized public health threat and is a designated "notifiable disease". As such, Lyme disease is mandated to be reported by the CDC. Despite this, both acute and chronic Lyme disease (CLD) have been relegated to the category of "contested illnesses", which can lead to medical gaslighting. By analyzing results from an online survey of respondents with Lyme disease (n = 986), we elucidate the lived experiences of people who have been pushed to the margins of the medical system by having their symptoms attributed to mental illness, anxiety, stress, and aging. Further, respondents have had their blood tests and erythema migrans (EM) rashes discounted and were told that CLD simply does not exist. As a result, a series of fruitless consultations often result in the delay of a correct diagnosis, which has deleterious consequences. This is the first study that addresses an extensive range of gaslighting techniques experienced by this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L. Fagen
- Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice, Lamar University, P.O. Box 10026, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA
| | - Jeremy A. Shelton
- Department of Psychology, Lamar University, P.O. Box 10036, Beaumont, TX 77710, USA;
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21
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Siegel EL, Xu G, Li AY, Pearson P, D’hers S, Elman N, Mather TN, Rich SM. Ixodes scapularis Is the Most Susceptible of the Three Canonical Human-Biting Tick Species of North America to Repellent and Acaricidal Effects of the Natural Sesquiterpene, (+)-Nootkatone. INSECTS 2023; 15:8. [PMID: 38249014 PMCID: PMC10816182 DOI: 10.3390/insects15010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Ticks are vectors of many human and animal zoonotic disease-causing agents causing significant global health and economic strain. Repellents and acaricides are integral to the human capacity for personal protection from tick bites. Nootkatone, a naturally occurring sesquiterpene found in the Alaskan cedar tree, grapefruit, and other sources, has been documented to be a potent acaricide. Research has also noted repellent effects against some tick species. In this study, our aim was to investigate the effect of synthetic, high-purity (+)-nootkatone on adult Ixodes scapularis, Dermacentor variabilis, and Amblyomma americanum ticks in an in vitro, vertical filter paper bioassay. (+)-nootkatone showed compelling tick repellency, but median effective concentrations (EC50) significantly differed among species. Ixodes scapularis were repelled at very low concentrations (EC50 = 0.87 ± 0.05 µg/cm2). Higher concentrations were required to repel D. variabilis (EC50 = 252 ± 12 µg/cm2) and A. americanum (EC50 = 2313 ± 179 µg/cm2). Significant post-exposure mortality, assessed 24 h after repellency trials, was also observed in I. scapularis but was absent entirely in D. variabilis and A. americanum. These tests demonstrate that nootkatone has a promising dual-action personal protection capacity against adult I. scapularis ticks, warranting further investigation in more natural environments and in the presence of host cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L. Siegel
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Guang Xu
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Andrew Y. Li
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Invasive Insect Biocontrol and Behavior Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20704, USA;
| | - Patrick Pearson
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
| | - Sebastián D’hers
- Computational Mechanics Center, Instituto Tecnológico de Buenos Aires (ITBA), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires C1106ACD, Argentina;
| | - Noel Elman
- GearJump Technologies, Limited Liability Company, Brookline, MA 02446, USA;
| | - Thomas N. Mather
- Center for Vector-Borne Disease, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA;
| | - Stephen M. Rich
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA; (E.L.S.); (P.P.)
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Messner CR, Amara RS. Successful permanent pacemaker explantation after diagnosis and treatment of Lyme carditis complete heart block: a case report. Eur Heart J Case Rep 2023; 7:ytad576. [PMID: 38444881 PMCID: PMC10914342 DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytad576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Background Lyme carditis (LC) complete heart block (CHB) is typically treated with i.v. antibiotics without requiring permanent pacing. In patients with high degree atrioventricular (AV) block, suspicious index in Lyme carditis (SILC) scoring is highly sensitive for diagnosing LC. Case summary We present a case of CHB where a permanent pacemaker (PPM) was implanted prior to LC diagnosis. Suspicious index in Lyme carditis score was 2 at the time of exam, indicating a low risk for LC. However, per further discussion at follow-up, his score was retroactively increased to an intermediate risk of 4 and Lyme titres returned positive. An outpatient oral antibiotic regimen was given, and 2 months later, the patient had <0.1% V-pacing on interrogation with a subsequent unremarkable event monitor. The pacemaker was removed after considerations ensuring full conduction recovery. The patient is doing well at follow-up > 1 year. Discussion Lyme carditis spontaneous resolution of CHB is common. Once safe extraction parameters have been established, it is appropriate to engage patients without ongoing pacer requirements about explantation of their PPM. For CHB patients without clear aetiology, SILC scoring may be a predictive measure to help prevent unnecessary PPM placement in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard S Amara
- Department of Cardiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
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23
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Brown K, Corin S, Handel AS. Doxycycline for the Treatment of Lyme Disease in Young Children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2023; 42:e470-e472. [PMID: 37820258 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000004128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Doxycycline is considered the first-line treatment of Lyme disease in adolescents and adults, but largely disproven concerns of permanent tooth staining prevented its use and evaluation in children <8 years old. We sought to describe short-term adverse effects and treatment failures among young children receiving oral doxycycline for Lyme disease. METHODS We completed a 2-pronged evaluation of children with Lyme disease treated with doxycycline. We performed a retrospective case series of patients <8 years old who were diagnosed with Lyme disease and treated with doxycycline. We then performed a telephone follow-up survey study of the patients' parents to gather additional details regarding clinical outcomes and adverse reactions to doxycycline. Descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS A total of 32 patients were identified through the retrospective case series and 18 participated in the follow-up survey. The most common clinical diagnosis (22/32; 69%) was single erythema migrans. Seven (22%) had neurological Lyme disease. Three patients (9%) stopped doxycycline treatment prematurely due to adverse effects. During telephone follow-up, 2 children were reported to have dental staining. No patients were identified with treatment failure during the retrospective case series. On telephone follow-up, 3 patients had residual symptoms after treatment, though none were convincing of treatment failure. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that doxycycline is generally well-tolerated and an effective treatment of Lyme disease in young children. Prospective, observational studies with long-term assessment of dental staining and clinical outcomes are needed. Alternative antibiotics, principally amoxicillin, remain the preferred treatment of non-neurological Lyme disease manifestations in young children, but doxycycline is likely a safe and effective alternative when needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Brown
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Sarah Corin
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
| | - Andrew S Handel
- From the Department of Pediatrics, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Stony Brook Children's Hospital, Stony Brook, New York
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24
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Bahadori A, Ritz N, Zimmermann P. Diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease in children. Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed 2023; 108:422-428. [PMID: 37726149 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-325398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Lyme disease is a zoonotic infection caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato which is transmitted to humans mainly by tick bites. The global incidence of Lyme disease is rising, and children are more frequently affected. The disease can manifest in various organs causing non-specific symptoms. The lack of sensitive and specific diagnostic tests makes the management of Lyme disease challenging. This article offers up-to-date clinical algorithms for the management of children with suspected or diagnosed Lyme disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atessa Bahadori
- Pediatric Specialties Division, Department of Pediatrics, Gynecology, and Obstetrics, University Hospitals Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Ritz
- Mycobacterial and Migrant Health Research, University Children's Hospital Basel and Department for Clinical Research, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Children's Hospital Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Petra Zimmermann
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Community Health, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Infectious Diseases Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Fribourg Hospital, Fribourg, Switzerland
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25
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Shirley JD, Ngo TT, Patel JA, Pritt BS, Gaensbauer JT, Theel ES. The Brief Case: An unexpected cause of meningoencephalitis in an infant. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0185622. [PMID: 37987733 PMCID: PMC10662336 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.01856-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Shirley
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Tiffany T. Ngo
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jenny A. Patel
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Bobbi S. Pritt
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - James T. Gaensbauer
- Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Elitza S. Theel
- Division of Clinical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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Sanderson VP, Miller JC, Bamm VV, Tilak M, Lloyd VK, Singh-Ranger G, Wills MKB. Profiling disease burden and Borrelia seroprevalence in Canadians with complex and chronic illness. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0291382. [PMID: 37939060 PMCID: PMC10631674 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease, caused by vector-borne Borrelia bacteria, can present with diverse multi-system symptoms that resemble other conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate disease presentations and Borrelia seroreactivity in individuals experiencing a spectrum of chronic and complex illnesses. We recruited 157 participants from Eastern Canada who reported one or more diagnoses of Lyme disease, neurological, rheumatic, autoimmune, inflammatory, gastrointestinal, or cardiovascular illnesses, or were asymptomatic and presumed healthy. Intake categories were used to classify participants based on their perceived proximity to Lyme disease, distinguishing between those with a disclosed history of Borrelia infection, those with lookalike conditions (e.g. fibromyalgia syndrome), and those with unrelated ailments (e.g. intestinal polyps). Participants completed three questionnaires, the SF-36 v1, SIQR, and HMQ, to capture symptoms and functional burden, and provided blood serum for analysis at an accredited diagnostic lab. Two-tiered IgG and IgM serological assessments (whole cell ELISA and Western blot) were performed in a blinded fashion on all samples. The pattern of symptoms and functional burden were similarly profound in the presumptive Lyme and Lyme-like disease categories. Borrelia seroprevalence across the study cohort was 10% for each of IgG and IgM, and occurred within and beyond the Lyme disease intake category. Western blot positivity in the absence of reactive ELISA was also substantial. Fibromyalgia was the most common individual diagnostic tag disclosed by two-tier IgG-positive participants who did not report a history of Lyme disease. Within the IgG seropositive cohort, the presence of antibodies against the 31 kDa Outer Surface Protein A (OspA) was associated with significantly better health outcomes. Previously, this marker has been linked to treatment-refractory Lyme arthritis. Overall, our findings support prior observations of phenotypic overlap between Lyme and other diseases. Seropositivity associated with non-specific symptoms and functional impairment warrants further mechanistic investigation and therapeutic optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria P. Sanderson
- G. Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer C. Miller
- Galaxy Diagnostics, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, Raleigh, United States of America
| | - Vladimir V. Bamm
- G. Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Manali Tilak
- G. Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vett K. Lloyd
- Department of Biology, Mount Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Gurpreet Singh-Ranger
- Upper River Valley Hospital, Horizon Health Network, Waterville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Melanie K. B. Wills
- G. Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Haddad NS, Nozick S, Ohanian S, Smith R, Elias S, Auwaerter PG, Lee FEH, Daiss JL. Circulating antibody-secreting cells are a biomarker for early diagnosis in patients with Lyme disease. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293203. [PMID: 37922270 PMCID: PMC10624293 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnostic immunoassays for Lyme disease have several limitations including: 1) not all patients seroconvert; 2) seroconversion occurs later than symptom onset; and 3) serum antibody levels remain elevated long after resolution of the infection. INTRODUCTION MENSA (Medium Enriched for Newly Synthesized Antibodies) is a novel diagnostic fluid that contains antibodies produced in vitro by circulating antibody-secreting cells (ASC). It enables measurement of the active humoral immune response. METHODS In this observational, case-control study, we developed the MicroB-plex Anti-C6/Anti-pepC10 Immunoassay to measure antibodies specific for the Borrelia burgdorferi peptide antigens C6 and pepC10 and validated it using a CDC serum sample collection. Then we examined serum and MENSA samples from 36 uninfected Control subjects and 12 Newly Diagnosed Lyme Disease Patients. RESULTS Among the CDC samples, antibodies against C6 and/or pepC10 were detected in all seropositive Lyme patients (8/8), but not in sera from seronegative patients or healthy controls (0/24). Serum antibodies against C6 and pepC10 were detected in one of 36 uninfected control subjects (1/36); none were detected in the corresponding MENSA samples (0/36). In samples from newly diagnosed patients, serum antibodies identified 8/12 patients; MENSA antibodies also detected 8/12 patients. The two measures agreed on six positive individuals and differed on four others. In combination, the serum and MENSA tests identified 10/12 early Lyme patients. Typically, serum antibodies persisted 80 days or longer while MENSA antibodies declined to baseline within 40 days of successful treatment. DISCUSSION MENSA-based immunoassays present a promising complement to serum immunoassays for diagnosis and tracking therapeutic success in Lyme infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sophia Nozick
- MicroB-plex, Inc., Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Shant Ohanian
- MicroB-plex, Inc., Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Robert Smith
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Maine Medical Center, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, ME, United States of America
| | - Susan Elias
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Maine Medical Center, MaineHealth Institute for Research, Portland, ME, United States of America
| | - Paul G. Auwaerter
- Sherrilyn and Ken Fisher Center for Environmental Infectious Diseases, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - F. Eun-Hyung Lee
- MicroB-plex, Inc., Atlanta, GA, United States of America
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Immunology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - John L. Daiss
- MicroB-plex, Inc., Atlanta, GA, United States of America
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Gyura AN, Buser JM, Keesing H, Nelsen L, Marx GE, Hinckley AF, Seman C, Nelson CA. Lyme Disease Knowledge, Practices, and Vaccine Acceptability Among Nurse Practitioners in Pediatric Practice. J Pediatr Health Care 2023; 37:673-683. [PMID: 37702645 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2023.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lyme disease (LD) is a major public health problem in the United States. Given its incidence and geographic expansion, nurse practitioners (NPs) will likely encounter patients with this condition. METHOD NPs were invited to participate in an electronic survey via email, newsletter, and social media posts. The 31-question survey collected information on provider characteristics, clinical scenario decisions, resources used, and vaccine sentiment for LD. RESULTS Survey participants (n = 606) were primarily cisgender female (75%) and aged 30-49 years (62%). Responding to six hypothetical clinical scenarios, only 31% of participants answered most questions correctly. If an LD vaccine becomes available, 39% said they would incorporate it into practice; 48% would seek further information before deciding. DISCUSSION Additional education on LD prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is needed for NPs. Increasing provider awareness of current guidelines and developing tailored resources for NPs may improve patient care.
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Thompson AD, Balamuth F, Neville DN, Chapman LL, Levas MN, Kharbanda AB, Branda JA, Ladell MM, Loiselle C, Nigrovic LE. Sensitivity of Two-Tiered Lyme Disease Serology in Children With an Erythema Migrans Lesion. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc 2023; 12:553-555. [PMID: 37756491 DOI: 10.1093/jpids/piad073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
In our prospective cohort of 192 children with a physician-diagnosed erythema migrans (EM) lesion, two-tier Lyme disease serology had higher sensitivity in children with multiple EM lesions (76.8% multiple lesions vs. 38.1% single EM; difference 38.7%, 95% confidence interval 24.8%-50.4%). The diagnosis of cutaneous Lyme disease should be based on careful physical examination rather than laboratory testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy D Thompson
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Nemours Children's Hospital and Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Wilmington, Delaware, USA
| | - Fran Balamuth
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Desiree N Neville
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laura L Chapman
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Michael N Levas
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Anupam B Kharbanda
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Children's Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - John A Branda
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Meagan M Ladell
- Department of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Claire Loiselle
- Department of Research, Nemours Children's Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware, USA
| | - Lise E Nigrovic
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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30
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Porwancher R, Levin A, Trevejo R. Immunoblot Criteria for Diagnosis of Lyme Disease: A Comparison of CDC Criteria to Alternative Interpretive Approaches. Pathogens 2023; 12:1282. [PMID: 38003747 PMCID: PMC10674374 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) interpretive criteria for serodiagnosis of Lyme disease (LD) involve a two-tiered approach, consisting of a first-tier EIA, IFA, or chemiluminescent assay, followed by confirmation of positive or equivocal results by either immunoblot or a second-tier EIA. To increase overall sensitivity, single-tier alternative immunoblot assays have been proposed, often utilizing antigens from multiple Borrelia burgdorferi strains or genospecies in a single immunoblot; including OspA and OspB in their antigen panel; requiring fewer positive bands than permitted by current CDC criteria; and reporting equivocal results. Published reports concerning alternative immunoblot assays have used relatively small numbers of LD patients and controls to evaluate novel multi-antigen assays and interpretive criteria. We compared the two most commonly used alternative immunoblot interpretive criteria (labeled A and B) to CDC criteria using data from multiple FDA-cleared IgG and IgM immunoblot test kits. These single-tier alternative interpretive criteria, applied to both IgG and IgM immunoblots, demonstrated significantly more false-positive or equivocal results in healthy controls than two-tiered CDC criteria (12.4% and 35.0% for Criteria A and B, respectively, versus 1.0% for CDC criteria). Due to limited standardization and high false-positive rates, the presently evaluated single-tier alternative immunoblot interpretive criteria appear inferior to CDC two-tiered criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Porwancher
- Section of Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Princeton Infectious Diseases Associates, LLC, Plainsboro, NJ 08536, USA
| | - Andrew Levin
- Kephera Diagnostics, LLC, Framingham, MA 01702, USA;
| | - Rosalie Trevejo
- Epidemiologist, Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention, Oregon Health Authority, Portland, OR 97232, USA;
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31
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Rich SM, Siegel EL, Xu G. What a Tick Can Tell a Doctor: Using the Human-Biting Tick in the Clinical Management of Tick-Borne Disease. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6522. [PMID: 37892661 PMCID: PMC10607280 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
With expanding concern about ticks, there is a general sense of uncertainty about the diagnosis and treatment of tick-borne diseases. The diagnosis process is often based on clinical judgment in conjunction with laboratory testing and can be pathogen specific. Treatments may require disease-dependent approaches, and co-infections complicate or increase the severity of the clinical picture. Measuring exposure indices in the tick has become popular among providers and their patients, though this practice is not universally understood, and certain public health agencies have voiced concerns regarding interpretation and rigor of testing. As many providers subscribe to or recommend these services to aid in pretest risk and exposure assessments, this work sought to clarify the role of pathogen testing human-biting ticks as a complement to the diagnostic pipeline and raises points that must be addressed through future research and interdisciplinary conversation. Future work is needed to develop quality control oversight for tick testing laboratories. Studies on the integration of tick testing with human cases to see how these services affect health outcomes are also needed. Alongside these, improvements in the quality and availability of diagnostics are of critical importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen M. Rich
- Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01002, USA; (E.L.S.); (G.X.)
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Boegle AK, Narayanaswami P. Infectious Neuropathies. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2023; 29:1418-1443. [PMID: 37851037 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article discusses the clinical manifestations and management of infectious peripheral neuropathies. LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Several infectious etiologies of peripheral neuropathy are well-recognized and their treatments are firmly established. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is associated with several central and peripheral nervous system manifestations, including peripheral neuropathies. Additionally, some COVID-19 vaccines have been associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome. These disorders are an active area of surveillance and research. Recent evidence-based guidelines have provided updated recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. ESSENTIAL POINTS Infectious agents of many types (primarily bacteria and viruses) can affect the peripheral nerves, resulting in various clinical syndromes such as mononeuropathy or mononeuropathy multiplex, distal symmetric polyneuropathy, radiculopathy, inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, and motor neuronopathy. Knowledge of these infections and the spectrum of peripheral nervous system disorders associated with them is essential because many have curative treatments. Furthermore, understanding the neuropathic presentations of these disorders may assist in diagnosing the underlying infection.
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Shafquat M, Angulo FJ, Pilz A, Moïsi JC, Stark JH. The Incidence of Lyme Borreliosis Among Children. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2023; 42:867-874. [PMID: 37406218 PMCID: PMC10501351 DOI: 10.1097/inf.0000000000004040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND First recognized in children in the United States, Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most prevalent tickborne illness in North America and Europe. However, the incidence of LB in children, including geographic variation and difference from that in adults, is incompletely described. METHODS We compiled surveillance data from public health agency websites reporting age-stratified LB case data, which was combined with census data to derive incidence estimates. Additional incidence estimates were obtained through a systematic literature review. RESULTS We identified 18 surveillance systems and 15 published studies for derivation of LB incidence in children. National incidence of >10 cases in children per 100,000 per year were estimated for the United States and parts of Eastern, Western and Northern Europe. However, there was substantial variation in incidence among countries in some European regions. National incidence estimates from the literature largely aligned with estimates from surveillance. Surveillance-reported pediatric incidence was lower than adult incidence in adults in 8 countries, similar to adult incidence in 3 countries, and higher than adult incidence in 1 country. Among all pediatric age strata, the 5-9 years of age stratum had the highest proportion of pediatric cases in most countries. CONCLUSIONS As pediatric LB represents a substantial proportion of overall LB incidence across countries in Europe and North America, LB prevention and control efforts should target pediatric as well as adult populations. However, better data are needed to fully characterize the difference in incidence across geographic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madiha Shafquat
- From the Vaccines, Antivirals, and Evidence Generation, Medical Affairs, Pfizer Biopharma Group, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
| | - Frederick J. Angulo
- From the Vaccines, Antivirals, and Evidence Generation, Medical Affairs, Pfizer Biopharma Group, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
| | - Andreas Pilz
- Vaccines, Antivirals, and Evidence Generation, Medical Affairs, Pfizer Biopharma Group, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jennifer C. Moïsi
- Vaccines, Antivirals, and Evidence Generation, Medical Affairs, Pfizer Biopharma Group, Paris, France
| | - James H. Stark
- From the Vaccines, Antivirals, and Evidence Generation, Medical Affairs, Pfizer Biopharma Group, Collegeville, Pennsylvania
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Finck C, Gambron T, Benchimol L, Camby S, Morsomme D. Case report: Successive ipsilateral and contralateral laryngeal nerve palsy as probable manifestation of neuroborreliosis. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20869. [PMID: 37876487 PMCID: PMC10590778 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroborreliosis is part of advanced stage of Lyme disease and often characterized by damage to the cranial and/or peripheral nerves. Involvement of one or both recurrent nerves is rare. Diagnosis is often difficult and based on a set of clinical manifestations, biological arguments, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. A 70-year-old man was referred to our Voice Clinic with a 3-month history of dysphonia caused by right vocal fold paralysis (VFP) without any cutaneous symptoms of tick bite or erythema migrans in the previous weeks and normal initial radiological examination (neck and thorax CT). Methylprednisolone had already been prescribed but without any clinical improvement. Late biological investigation 3 months after initial symptoms of VFP showed high IgG (93 U/mL; reference <10 U/mL) against Borrelia burgdorferi (BB), which was confirmed by two immunoblot markers (VIsE, p39 antigens). Therefore, a possible manifestation of Lyme disease with involvement of the right inferior laryngeal nerve was suspected, namely Lyme neuroborreliosis. However, given the spontaneous recovery of the patient after 7 months without any adapted antimicrobial regimen treatment, the diagnosis of neuroborreliosis was not confirmed by a lumbar puncture. Nineteen months later, the patient presented again for the same symptomatology but as left VFP. High IgG (68 U/mL) and IgM (>6, reference <0.90) levels against BB were confirmed by immunoblot. Subsequently, lumbar puncture was performed and revealed IgG against BB at 46.1 UA/mL (reference<5.5 UA/mL) in the CSF, with an extremely high IgG intrathecal synthesis antibody index (281.33, positive if > 1.5). Intrathecal antibody synthesis is the gold standard for Lyme neuroborreliosis demonstrating a specific immune response to BB in the central nervous system, but with the limitation of persistence for years after eradication. Our patient did not exhibit pleocytosis in the CSF. Therefore, two criteria of the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) guidelines are fulfilled for possible neuroborreliosis. Doxycycline treatment led to rapid recovery in less than 8 weeks and normal mobility of the left vocal fold. Because of this very uncommon clinical presentation with two successive episodes of VFP for no other obvious reason and serological evidence from the serum and CSF during the second episode, we consider it possible that the first episode of VFP could also have been a manifestation of neuroborreliosis. This case is the first report of possible relapse of laryngeal palsy successively on the right, and then the left side as a manifestation of Lyme neuroborreliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Finck
- ENT Department, University Hospital of Liege, Belgium
- Faculty of Medecine, Uliege, Belgium
- Faculty of Psychology and Sciences of Education, Umons, Belgium
| | | | - Lionel Benchimol
- ENT Department, University Hospital of Liege, Belgium
- Pneumology Laboratory, I3 Group, GIGA Research Center, University of Liège, Belgium
| | | | - Dominique Morsomme
- ENT Department, University Hospital of Liege, Belgium
- Faculty of Psychology, Speech and Language Therapy and Education, University of Liege, Belgium
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Cocoros NM, Kluberg SA, Willis SJ, Forrow S, Gessner BD, Nutt CT, Cane A, Petrou N, Sury M, Rhee C, Jodar L, Mendelsohn A, Hoffman ER, Jin R, Aucott J, Pugh SJ, Stark JH. Validation of Claims-Based Algorithm for Lyme Disease, Massachusetts, USA. Emerg Infect Dis 2023; 29:1772-1779. [PMID: 37610117 PMCID: PMC10461665 DOI: 10.3201/eid2909.221931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Compared with notifiable disease surveillance, claims-based algorithms estimate higher Lyme disease incidence, but their accuracy is unknown. We applied a previously developed Lyme disease algorithm (diagnosis code plus antimicrobial drug prescription dispensing within 30 days) to an administrative claims database in Massachusetts, USA, to identify a Lyme disease cohort during July 2000-June 2019. Clinicians reviewed and adjudicated medical charts from a cohort subset by using national surveillance case definitions. We calculated positive predictive values (PPVs). We identified 12,229 Lyme disease episodes in the claims database and reviewed and adjudicated 128 medical charts. The algorithm's PPV for confirmed, probable, or suspected cases was 93.8% (95% CI 88.1%-97.3%); the PPV was 66.4% (95% CI 57.5%-74.5%) for confirmed and probable cases only. In a high incidence setting, a claims-based algorithm identified cases with a high PPV, suggesting it can be used to assess Lyme disease burden and supplement traditional surveillance data.
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36
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Kanjana K, Strle K, Lochhead RB, Pianta A, Mateyka LM, Wang Q, Arvikar SL, Kling DE, Deangelo CA, Curham L, Barbour AG, Costello CE, Moon JJ, Steere AC. Autoimmunity to synovial extracellular matrix proteins in patients with postinfectious Lyme arthritis. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e161170. [PMID: 37471146 PMCID: PMC10471169 DOI: 10.1172/jci161170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDAutoimmune diseases often have strong genetic associations with specific HLA-DR alleles. The synovial lesion in chronic inflammatory forms of arthritis shows marked upregulation of HLA-DR molecules, including in postinfectious Lyme arthritis (LA). However, the identity of HLA-DR-presented peptides, and therefore the reasons for these associations, has frequently remained elusive.METHODSUsing immunopeptidomics to detect HLA-DR-presented peptides from synovial tissue, we identified T cell epitopes from 3 extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in patients with postinfectious LA, identified potential Borreliella burgdorferi-mimic (Bb-mimic) epitopes, and characterized T and B cell responses to these peptides or proteins.RESULTSOf 24 postinfectious LA patients, 58% had CD4+ T cell responses to at least 1 epitope of 3 ECM proteins, fibronectin-1, laminin B2, and/or collagen Vα1, and 17% of 52 such patients had antibody responses to at least 1 of these proteins. Patients with autoreactive T cell responses had significantly increased frequencies of HLA-DRB1*04 or -DRB1*1501 alleles and more prolonged arthritis. When tetramer reagents were loaded with ECM or corresponding Bb-mimic peptides, binding was only with the autoreactive T cells. A high percentage of ECM-autoreactive CD4+ T cells in synovial fluid were T-bet-expressing Th1 cells, a small percentage were RoRγt-expressing Th17 cells, and a minimal percentage were FoxP3-expressing Tregs.CONCLUSIONAutoreactive, proinflammatory CD4+ T cells and autoantibodies develop to ECM proteins in a subgroup of postinfectious LA patients who have specific HLA-DR alleles. Rather than the traditional molecular mimicry model, we propose that epitope spreading provides the best explanation for this example of infection-induced autoimmunity.FUNDINGSupported by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases R01-AI101175, R01-AI144365, and F32-AI125764; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases K01-AR062098 and T32-AR007258; NIH grants P41-GM104603, R24-GM134210, S10-RR020946, S10-OD010724, S10-OD021651, and S10-OD021728; and the G. Harold and Leila Y. Mathers Foundation, the Eshe Fund, and the Lyme Disease and Arthritis Research Fund at Massachusetts General Hospital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korawit Kanjana
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Klemen Strle
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert B. Lochhead
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Annalisa Pianta
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Laura M. Mateyka
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Qi Wang
- Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sheila L. Arvikar
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David E. Kling
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cameron A. Deangelo
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lucy Curham
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alan G. Barbour
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Catherine E. Costello
- Center for Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James J. Moon
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Allen C. Steere
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Xi D, Thoma A, Rajput-Ray M, Madigan A, Avramovic G, Garg K, Gilbert L, Lambert JS. A Longitudinal Study of a Large Clinical Cohort of Patients with Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Co-Infections Treated with Combination Antibiotics. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2152. [PMID: 37763996 PMCID: PMC10536678 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11092152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The rising prevalence of tick-borne infections (TBIs) necessitates further attention. This study retrospectively investigated the types of TBIs, symptoms, and if combination antibiotics were helpful within a patient cohort at an infectious disease clinic in Ireland. In this chart audit of 301 individuals (184 female, 117 male) tested for TBIs, 140 (46.51%) had positive antibody responses for TBIs from an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay) that was based on a modified two-tiered testing protocol. A total of 93 (66.43%) patients had positive antibody responses to one TBI: 83 (59.29%) for Borrelia, 7 (5.00%) for Rickettsia, and 1 (0.71%) each for either Babesia, Bartonella, or Ehrlichia. The remaining 47 (33.57%) patients were infected with multiple TBIs. These patients were treated with combination antibiotics and monitored at two subsequent follow-ups. Only 2 of 101 patients (1.98%) had discontinued treatment by the second follow-up. In the first follow-up with 118 patients, 70 (59.32%) reported pain and 48 (40.68%) had neurological symptoms. In the next follow-up of 101 patients, 41 (40.59%) had pain while 30 (29.70%) had neurological symptoms. There were statistically significant reductions in the incidence of pain (41.43%) and neurological (37.50%) symptoms between follow-ups. Thus, our study demonstrates that combination antibiotics effectively relieve TBI symptoms with good patient tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Xi
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (D.X.); (A.T.); (A.M.); (G.A.)
| | - Abbie Thoma
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (D.X.); (A.T.); (A.M.); (G.A.)
| | - Minha Rajput-Ray
- Curaidh Clinic: Innovative Solutions for Pain, Chronic Disease and Work Health, Perthshire PH2 8EH, UK;
| | - Anne Madigan
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (D.X.); (A.T.); (A.M.); (G.A.)
| | - Gordana Avramovic
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (D.X.); (A.T.); (A.M.); (G.A.)
| | - Kunal Garg
- Te?ted Oy, 40100 Jyväskylä, Finland; (K.G.); (L.G.)
| | | | - John S. Lambert
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland; (D.X.); (A.T.); (A.M.); (G.A.)
- Infectious Diseases Department, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, D07 R2WY Dublin, Ireland
- Infectious Diseases Department, The Rotunda Hospital, D01 P5W9 Dublin, Ireland
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Wang G, Zhuge J, Wormser GP. Frequency of Positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Testing for Borrelia burgdorferi on Whole Blood Samples That Tested Positive for Babesia microti by PCR from an Endemic Area for Both Infections in New York State. Pathogens 2023; 12:1066. [PMID: 37624026 PMCID: PMC10459504 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12081066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Because both Babesia microti and Borrelia burgdorferi can be transmitted by the bite of a single coinfected Ixodes scapularis tick, an attempt was made to determine the frequency with which whole blood samples that tested positive for B. microti infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) would also test positive by PCR for B. burgdorferi infection. Over a 7-year period from 2013 to 2019, 119 different patients tested positive for B. microti infection by PCR on at least one blood sample. Among the 118 patients with a positive B. microti PCR blood sample that could also be tested by a qualitative PCR for B. burgdorferi, only one patient tested positive (0.85%, 95% CI 0.02 to 4.6%). Routine PCR testing of every B. microti PCR-positive blood specimen to detect B. burgdorferi coinfection appears to have a low yield, even in a highly endemic geographic area for both of these infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guiqing Wang
- Department of Pathology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA;
| | - Jian Zhuge
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA;
| | - Gary P. Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA
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Lemieux JE, Huang W, Hill N, Cerar T, Freimark L, Hernandez S, Luban M, Maraspin V, Bogovič P, Ogrinc K, Ruzič-Sabljič E, Lapierre P, Lasek-Nesselquist E, Singh N, Iyer R, Liveris D, Reed KD, Leong JM, Branda JA, Steere AC, Wormser GP, Strle F, Sabeti PC, Schwartz I, Strle K. Whole genome sequencing of human Borrelia burgdorferi isolates reveals linked blocks of accessory genome elements located on plasmids and associated with human dissemination. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011243. [PMID: 37651316 PMCID: PMC10470944 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in North America and Europe. The clinical manifestations of Lyme disease vary based on the genospecies of the infecting Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete, but the microbial genetic elements underlying these associations are not known. Here, we report the whole genome sequence (WGS) and analysis of 299 B. burgdorferi (Bb) isolates derived from patients in the Eastern and Midwestern US and Central Europe. We develop a WGS-based classification of Bb isolates, confirm and extend the findings of previous single- and multi-locus typing systems, define the plasmid profiles of human-infectious Bb isolates, annotate the core and strain-variable surface lipoproteome, and identify loci associated with disseminated infection. A core genome consisting of ~900 open reading frames and a core set of plasmids consisting of lp17, lp25, lp36, lp28-3, lp28-4, lp54, and cp26 are found in nearly all isolates. Strain-variable (accessory) plasmids and genes correlate strongly with phylogeny. Using genetic association study methods, we identify an accessory genome signature associated with dissemination in humans and define the individual plasmids and genes that make up this signature. Strains within the RST1/WGS A subgroup, particularly a subset marked by the OspC type A genotype, have increased rates of dissemination in humans. OspC type A strains possess a unique set of strongly linked genetic elements including the presence of lp56 and lp28-1 plasmids and a cluster of genes that may contribute to their enhanced virulence compared to other genotypes. These features of OspC type A strains reflect a broader paradigm across Bb isolates, in which near-clonal genotypes are defined by strain-specific clusters of linked genetic elements, particularly those encoding surface-exposed lipoproteins. These clusters of genes are maintained by strain-specific patterns of plasmid occupancy and are associated with the probability of invasive infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob E. Lemieux
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Weihua Huang
- New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
- East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Nathan Hill
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tjasa Cerar
- University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lisa Freimark
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sergio Hernandez
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Matteo Luban
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Vera Maraspin
- University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Petra Bogovič
- University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | - Pascal Lapierre
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Erica Lasek-Nesselquist
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Navjot Singh
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Radha Iyer
- New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Dionysios Liveris
- New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Kurt D. Reed
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - John M. Leong
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - John A. Branda
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Allen C. Steere
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gary P. Wormser
- New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Franc Strle
- University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Pardis C. Sabeti
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ira Schwartz
- New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York, United States of America
| | - Klemen Strle
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, United States of America
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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40
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Dumic I, Person E, Igandan O, Adetimehin O, Nordstrom CW, Williams C, Shweta F. Anaplasma phagocytophilum Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Case Report and Literature Review. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1483. [PMID: 37374985 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging, Gram-negative, and obligate intracellular pathogen that is infrequently implicated as a causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia. In this paper, we report about an immunocompetent patient from the community who presented with fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Chest X-ray and CT showed bilateral lung infiltrates. Extensive workup for other common and uncommon causes of pneumonia was positive for anaplasmosis. The patient recovered completely with doxycycline therapy. In our literature review, we find that in 80% of reported cases of anaplasmosis pneumonia, empiric treatment did not contain doxycycline, which in some cases led to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Clinicians in tick-borne disease endemic regions should be aware of this unusual presentation of anaplasmosis in order to be able to select appropriate antimicrobial regimens and initiate timely management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Dumic
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Hospital Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA
| | - Emily Person
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Oladapo Igandan
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Hospital Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA
| | - Omobolanle Adetimehin
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Hospital Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA
| | - Charles W Nordstrom
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Hospital Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA
| | - Christopher Williams
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA
| | - Fnu Shweta
- Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Infectious Disease, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this article is to review the recent guidelines and literature regarding the diagnosis and the treatment of common pediatric musculoskeletal infections: septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, pyomyositis, and Lyme disease. RECENT FINDINGS In the last decade, a better understanding of the causative organisms of common bacterial infections, including Kingella , leads to prompt targeted antimicrobial coverage in all musculoskeletal infections. Prompt diagnosis and treatment continues to be the mainstay in the treatment of children with osteoarticular infections. Efforts to improve early detection have lead to improving rapid lab diagnostic testing; however, more advanced diagnostics such as arthrocentesis for septic arthritis and MRI for osteomyelitis and pyomyositis, remain the gold standard. Shorter and narrowed antibiotic courses, with appropriate transition to outpatient oral treatment provide effective infection clearance and reduction in complications of disease. SUMMARY Advances in diagnostics, including pathogen identification as well as imaging continues to improve our ability to diagnose and treat these infections, although still lack ability to provide definitive diagnosis without more invasive nor advanced techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Hannon
- Division of Emergency Medicine
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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42
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Fuchs S. Outpatient Treatment of Lyme Disease. Pediatr Emerg Care 2023; 39:351-354. [PMID: 37115992 DOI: 10.1097/pec.0000000000002945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Lyme disease, also called Lyme borreliosis, is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (B burgdorferi) in the Upper Atlantic Coast and Borrelia mayonii in the Upper Midwest and West Coast. It can cause a range of manifestations including erythema migrans, cranial nerve palsies, meningitis, carditis, and arthritis. Recent guidelines advocate for outpatient treatment for many of these conditions. Scenarios will be presented that outline treatment of these manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Fuchs
- From the Professor of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL and Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL
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43
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Wormser GP, McKenna D, Morgan T, Scavarda C, Cooper D, Visintainer P. A Prospective Study to Characterize Symptoms and Symptom Severity in Adult Patients with Extracutaneous Manifestations of Lyme Disease: Extracutaneous Lyme Disease. Am J Med 2023:S0002-9343(23)00241-3. [PMID: 37062457 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systematic assessments of the presence and severity of particular symptoms over time are relatively uncommon for Lyme disease patients in the United States, and especially for Lyme disease patients with extracutaneous manifestations (ECLD). METHODS Symptoms and symptom severity of 12 particular symptoms were evaluated in a prospective study at baseline and at 12 months for 35 adult Lyme disease patients with ECLD, 91.4% of whom were already started on antibiotic therapy, and compared with 52 adult Lyme disease patients with erythema migrans, who were untreated at study entry. RESULTS No significant difference in the frequency of having at least 1 symptom out of the 12 evaluated was found between the 2 groups at either the baseline visit or the 12 month evaluation. Demographic variables were also similar between the 2 study groups, except that the ECLD patients were significantly less likely to be Caucasian, 24/35 (68.6%) of the ECLD cases vs 48/52 (92.3%) of the erythema migrans cases, p=0.008. CONCLUSION Lyme disease patients with ECLD had a similar frequency of symptoms at baseline compared to patients with erythema migrans . ECLD subjects, however, were significantly less like to be Caucasian raising the question of whether a preceding erythema migrans skin lesion may have been missed in persons with a darker skin color. An important limitation of our study, however, is that we did not record skin color per se, which should be considered for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary P Wormser
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595.
| | - Donna McKenna
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595
| | - Tyler Morgan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595
| | - Carol Scavarda
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595
| | - Denise Cooper
- Division of Infectious Diseases, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595
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44
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Govil S, Capitle E, Lacqua A, Khianey R, Coyle PK, Schutzer SE. Common Neurologic Features of Lyme Disease That May Present to a Rheumatologist. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040576. [PMID: 37111462 PMCID: PMC10146759 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) infection, has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations and severity. Patients with possible Lyme disease may seek out or be referred to rheumatologists. Today, the most common reason to engage a rheumatologist is due to complaints of arthralgia. After skin, neurologic manifestations of Lyme disease are now among the most common. Therefore, it is important for rheumatologists to be aware of clues that suggest neurologic Lyme disease and prompt help from a neurologist experienced with Lyme disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Govil
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Eugenio Capitle
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Alexandra Lacqua
- Department of Medicine, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33486, USA
| | - Reena Khianey
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - P K Coyle
- Department of Neurology, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Steven E Schutzer
- Department of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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45
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Chung MK, Caboni M, Strandwitz P, D'Onofrio A, Lewis K, Patel CJ. Systematic comparisons between Lyme disease and post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome in the U.S. with administrative claims data. EBioMedicine 2023; 90:104524. [PMID: 36958992 PMCID: PMC10114153 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) is used to describe Lyme disease patients who have the infection cleared by antibiotic but then experienced persisting symptoms of pain, fatigue, or cognitive impairment. Currently, little is known about the cause or epidemiology of PTLDS. METHODS We conducted a data-driven study with a large nationwide administrative dataset, which consists of more than 98 billion billing and 1.4 billion prescription records between 2008 and 2016, to identify unique aspects of PTLDS that could have diagnostic and etiologic values. We defined PTLDS based on its symptomatology and compared the demographic, longitudinal changes of comorbidity, and antibiotic prescriptions between patients who have Lyme with absence of prolonged symptoms (APS) and PTLDS. FINDINGS The age and temporal distributions were similar between Lyme APS and PTLDS. The PTLDS-to-Lyme APS case ratio was 3.42%. The co-occurrence of 3 out of 19 chronic conditions were significantly higher in PTLDS versus Lyme APS-odds ratio and 95% CI for anemia, hyperlipidemia, and osteoarthrosis were 1.46 (1.11-1.92), 1.39 (1.15-1.68), and 1.62 (1.23-2.12) respectively. We did not find significant differences between PTLDS and Lyme APS for the number of types of antibiotics prescribed (incidence rate ratio = 1.009, p = 0.90) and for the prescription of each of the five antibiotics (FDR adjusted p values 0.72-0.95). INTERPRETATION PTLDS cases have more codes corresponding to anemia, hyperlipidemia, and osteoarthrosis compared to Lyme APS. Our finding of hyperlipidemia is consistent with a dysregulation of fat metabolism reported by other researchers, and further investigation should be conducted to understand the potential biological relationship between the two. FUNDING Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Global Lyme Alliance, and the Pazala Foundation; National Institutes of Health R01ES032470.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Kim Lewis
- Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
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46
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Najam US, Sheikh A. An Atypical Case of Lyme Disease Presenting With Lyme Carditis. Cureus 2023; 15:e35907. [PMID: 37033550 PMCID: PMC10081685 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.35907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lyme carditis is a rare but serious manifestation of Lyme disease presenting in the early disseminated stage of the disease often after a diagnosis has already been discovered. The classic case of Lyme disease presents a patient who had been participating in outdoor activities in a Lyme-endemic region and was found to have a tick bite. These patients often present in the early localized stage, within the first 1-2 weeks with the well-recognized erythema-migrans rash or with generalized flu-like symptoms. Here we describe a case of a 70-year-old male who presented to the hospital without any typical Lyme disease prodrome but instead with generalized symptoms of progressive orthopnea and dyspnea on exertion. His original diagnoses were not of infectious origin however after incidentally being found to have a second degree, Mobitz type 1 atrioventricular (AV) block; Lyme tests were ordered, and a diagnosis was confirmed. This incidence shows the importance of having a Lyme disease diagnosis when regionally appropriate for patients who may present with no other signs or symptoms other than an AV block. As in this case, after a diagnosis has been made the management becomes the treatment of the infection rather than the treatment of the symptoms themselves.
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47
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Bruinsma RA, Zomer TP, Skogman BH, van Hensbroek MB, Hovius JW. Clinical manifestations of Lyme neuroborreliosis in children: a review. Eur J Pediatr 2023; 182:1965-1976. [PMID: 36856886 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-04811-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is a manifestation of Lyme disease involving the central and peripheral nervous system. It is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted by tick bites to a human host. Clinical signs of LNB develop after the dissemination of the pathogen to the nervous system. The infection occurs in children and adults, but the clinical manifestations differ. In adults, painful meningoradicultis is the most common manifestation of LNB, while children often present with facial nerve palsy and/or subacute meningitis. Subacute headache can be the only manifestation of LNB in children, especially during the summer months in Lyme disease-endemic regions. Non-specific symptoms, such as loss of appetite, fatigue or mood changes, may also occur, especially in young children. A high level of suspicion and early recognition of the various clinical manifestations presented by children with LNB is essential to minimize delay in diagnosis and optimize management. This review provides an overview of the spectrum of clinical manifestations, and discusses diagnosis, antibiotic treatment, and clinical outcome of LNB in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Bruinsma
- Lyme Center Apeldoorn, Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, P.O. Box 9014, 7300 DS, the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands
| | - T P Zomer
- Lyme Center Apeldoorn, Gelre Hospital, Apeldoorn, P.O. Box 9014, 7300 DS, the Netherlands.
| | - B H Skogman
- Center for Clinical Research Dalarna, Uppsala University, Falun, Sweden.,Department of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - M Boele van Hensbroek
- Department of Pediatrics, Amsterdam Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J W Hovius
- Amsterdam UMC Multidisciplinary Lyme borreliosis Center, Amsterdam UMC Medical Centers, location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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48
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Stupica D, Collinet-Adler S, Blagus R, Gomišček A, Cerar Kišek T, Ružić-Sabljić E, Velušček M. Treatment of erythema migrans with doxycycline for 7 days versus 14 days in Slovenia: a randomised open-label non-inferiority trial. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 23:371-379. [PMID: 36209759 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(22)00528-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lyme borreliosis is the most prevalent vector-borne disease in Europe and the USA. Doxycycline for 10 days is the primary treatment recommendation for erythema migrans. To reduce potentially harmful antibiotic overuse by identifying shorter effective treatments, we aimed to assess whether oral doxycycline for 7 days is non-inferior to 14 days in adults with solitary erythema migrans. METHODS In this randomised open-label non-inferiority trial, we enrolled patients with a solitary erythema at the University Medical Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Patients were excluded if they were pregnant or lactating, immunosuppressed, allergic to doxycycline, or had received antibiotics with anti-borrelial activity within 10 days preceding enrolment or had additional manifestations of Lyme borreliosis Adults were randomly allocated 1:1 to receive oral doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 7 days or 14 days. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in proportion of patients with treatment failure, defined as persistent erythema, new objective signs of Lyme borreliosis, or borrelial isolation on skin re-biopsy at 2 months, in a per-protocol analysis (the population that completed the assigned doxycycline regimen according to the study protocol and did not receive any other antibiotics with anti-borrelial activity until the 2-month visit). The non-inferiority margin was 6 percentage points. Safety was assessed in all randomly assigned patients who followed the study protocol and were evaluable at the 14-day visit. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03153267. FINDINGS Between July 3, 2017, and Oct 2, 2018, we enrolled 300 patients (150 per group: median age 56 years [IQR 47-65]; 126 [45%] of 300 male; skin culture positive 72 [30%] of 239 assessed). 295 patients completed antibiotic therapy as per protocol and 294 (98%) patients were evaluable 2 months post-enrolment. Five (3%) of 147 patients from the 7-day group versus 3 (2%) of 147 patients from the 14-day group (one patient did not attend the 2-month visit and was unreachable by telephone) had treatment failure manifesting as persistence of erythema (difference 1·4 percentage points; upper limit of one-sided 95% CI 5·2 percentage points; p=0·64). No patients developed new objective manifestations of Lyme borreliosis during follow-up or had positive repeat skin biopsies. Two (1%) of 150 patients in the 7-day and one (1%) of 150 patients in the 14-day group discontinued therapy due to adverse events. INTERPRETATION Our data support 7 days of oral doxycycline for adult European patients with solitary erythema migrans, permitting less antibiotic exposure than current guideline-driven therapy. FUNDING Slovenian Research Agency and the University Medical Centre Ljubljana.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daša Stupica
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Slovenia and Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Stefan Collinet-Adler
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Park Nicollet/Health Partners, Methodist Hospital, Saint Louis Park, MN, USA
| | - Rok Blagus
- Institute for Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Faculty of Sports, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Slovenia and Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Koper, Slovenia
| | | | - Tjaša Cerar Kišek
- National Laboratory of Health, Environment and Food, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Eva Ružić-Sabljić
- Institute for Microbiology and Immunology Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maša Velušček
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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49
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Nigrovic LE, Chun TH, Vargas SE, Caffrey AR, Halperin JJ, Race JA, Ott U, Morrison BL, Fuller BJ, VanBuren JM, Lyme Net P. Comparative effectiveness and complications of intravenous ceftriaxone compared with oral doxycycline in Lyme meningitis in children: a multicentre prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e071141. [PMID: 36854594 PMCID: PMC9980370 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lyme disease is the most common vectorborne disease in the Northern hemisphere with more than 400 000 new cases in the USA annually. Lyme meningitis is an uncommon but potentially serious clinical manifestation of Lyme disease. Intravenous ceftriaxone had been the first-line treatment for Lyme meningitis, but is associated with a high rate of complications. Although efficacy and effectiveness (or real-world evidence) data for oral doxycycline are limited, practice guidelines were recently expanded to recommend either oral doxycycline or ceftriaxone as first-line treatments for Lyme meningitis. Our goal is to compare oral doxycycline with intravenous ceftriaxone for the treatment of Lyme meningitis on short-term recovery and long-term quality of life. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We are performing a prospective cohort study at 20 US paediatric centres located in diverse geographical range where Lyme disease is endemic. The clinical care team will make all antibiotic treatment decisions for children with Lyme meningitis, as per usual practice. We will follow enrolled children for 6 months to determine time of acute symptom recovery and impact on quality of life. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Boston Children's Hospital, the single Institutional Review Board (sIRB), has approved the study protocol with the other 19 enrolling sites as well as the Utah data coordinating centre relying on the Boston Children's Hospital sIRB. Once the study is completed, we will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise E Nigrovic
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas H Chun
- Emergency Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Sara E Vargas
- Behavioral and Preventative Medicine, University of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Aisling R Caffrey
- College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, USA
| | - John J Halperin
- Department of Neurology, Overlook Medical Center, Summit, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jonathan A Race
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT, USA
| | - Ulrike Ott
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT, USA
| | | | - Bethany J Fuller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT, USA
| | - John M VanBuren
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT, USA
- University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT, USA
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Lemieux JE, Huang W, Hill N, Cerar T, Freimark L, Hernandez S, Luban M, Maraspin V, Bogovic P, Ogrinc K, Ruzic-Sabljic E, Lapierre P, Lasek-Nesselquist E, Singh N, Iyer R, Liveris D, Reed KD, Leong JM, Branda JA, Steere AC, Wormser GP, Strle F, Sabeti PC, Schwartz I, Strle K. Whole genome sequencing of Borrelia burgdorferi isolates reveals linked clusters of plasmid-borne accessory genome elements associated with virulence. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.26.530159. [PMID: 36909473 PMCID: PMC10002713 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.26.530159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in North America and Europe. The clinical manifestations of Lyme disease vary based on the genospecies of the infecting Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete, but the microbial genetic elements underlying these associations are not known. Here, we report the whole genome sequence (WGS) and analysis of 299 patient-derived B. burgdorferi sensu stricto ( Bbss ) isolates from patients in the Eastern and Midwestern US and Central Europe. We develop a WGS-based classification of Bbss isolates, confirm and extend the findings of previous single- and multi-locus typing systems, define the plasmid profiles of human-infectious Bbss isolates, annotate the core and strain-variable surface lipoproteome, and identify loci associated with disseminated infection. A core genome consisting of ∼800 open reading frames and a core set of plasmids consisting of lp17, lp25, lp36, lp28-3, lp28-4, lp54, and cp26 are found in nearly all isolates. Strain-variable (accessory) plasmids and genes correlate strongly with phylogeny. Using genetic association study methods, we identify an accessory genome signature associated with dissemination and define the individual plasmids and genes that make up this signature. Strains within the RST1/WGS A subgroup, particularly a subset marked by the OspC type A genotype, are associated with increased rates of dissemination. OspC type A strains possess a unique constellation of strongly linked genetic changes including the presence of lp56 and lp28-1 plasmids and a cluster of genes that may contribute to their enhanced virulence compared to other genotypes. The patterns of OspC type A strains typify a broader paradigm across Bbss isolates, in which genetic structure is defined by correlated groups of strain-variable genes located predominantly on plasmids, particularly for expression of surface-exposed lipoproteins. These clusters of genes are inherited in blocks through strain-specific patterns of plasmid occupancy and are associated with the probability of invasive infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob E Lemieux
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
| | - Weihua Huang
- New York Medical College
- East Carolina University
| | - Nathan Hill
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
| | | | | | | | - Matteo Luban
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - John M Leong
- Tufts University, Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology
| | - John A Branda
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | | | | | | | - Pardis C Sabeti
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
- Harvard University
- Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health
| | | | - Klemen Strle
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Wadsworth Center
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