Sunday, November 3, 2013

Clinical evidence for rapid transmission of Lyme disease following a tickbite

An important study to know about. Apparently, one can be infected more quickly than some doctors would have you believe.
Authors:
Eleanor D. Hynote, Phyllis C. Mervine, Raphael B. Stricker
Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease, online 
before print, November 20, 2011.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2011.10.003
 
Abstract
Lyme disease transmission to humans by Ixodes ticks is 
thought to require at least 36–48 h of tick attachment. We 
describe 3 cases in which transmission of Borrelia 
burgdorferi, the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease, appears 
to have occurred in less than 24 h based on the degree of 
tick engorgement, clinical signs of acute infection, and 
immunologic evidence of acute Lyme disease.
 
Health care providers and individuals exposed to ticks 
should be aware that transmission of Lyme disease may occur 
more rapidly than animal models suggest. A diagnosis of Lyme 
disease should not be ruled out based on a short tick 
attachment time in a subject with clinical evidence of B. 
burgdorferi infection.

Click here for the details:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2011.10.003


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