GUEST BLOG: Lone star tick implicated in Lyme disease in the South
Liz Schmitz, of the Georgia Lyme Disease Association, discusses important new research indicating that yes, folks, there is indeed Lyme disease in the southern US.
For the first time ever, University of North Florida’s Dr. Kerry Clark and colleagues reported finding two species of Lyme disease bacteria previously unknown to infect humans, Borrelia americana and Borrelia andersonii, in symptomatic patients living in the southeastern USA. Importantly, the commonly found lone star tick, formerly believed by many to be incapable of transmitting Lyme disease, was implicated in some of these cases.
The research, published in the May issue of The International Journal of Medical Sciences, is extremely significant for several reasons. First, only one Lyme bacterial species, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (Bbss), was previously recognized to cause disease in North America. Current testing methods and interpretation criteria, designed to detect just one species, may explain many of the complaints involving the unreliability of Lyme disease tests in the USA.
In addition, the belief that only black-legged “deer ticks” can transmit Lyme disease has been widely publicized for decades. Lyme disease risk has been calculated largely based upon the prevalence and infection rate of these deer ticks, Ixodes scapularis. In fact, Yale University recently released a new Lyme disease risk map funded by a $2.9 million CDC grant which was highly contested by many. (They only tested a total of nine black-legged ticks from a few southern states.) Yale’s map, based solely on deer ticks, shows little risk to people living outside the northeastern USA. Clark’s findings, together with past studies implicating lone star ticks associated with Lyme disease (Masters, Rawlings, Felz, Feir, etc.), strongly suggest otherwise.
Dr. Clark and his team identified lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum, removed from humans who tested positive for Lyme bacteria, including the species of Borrelia burgdorferi , Bbss, already known to cause the disease in North America. Some of the ticks removed from the patients tested positive, too.
Lone star ticks are the most commonly found species biting humans in the southeastern United States. These aggressive ticks are found almost halfway across the nation – from the deep South and as far north as Canada. This groundbreaking research may clarify why so many humans living outside of the northeastern USA claim they have contracted Lyme disease** regardless of the presence of infected black-legged ticks.
The new findings significantly expand the geographic area where Lyme disease should be considered by medical providers and citizens alike. If only one percent of these ticks are able to transmit Lyme disease, it poses a tremendous threat to public health because lone star ticks are known to bite humans so frequently.
Dr. Clark’s work may help millions of chronically ill people living in areas where Lyme disease wasn’t previously recognized. Called The New Great Imitator, Lyme disease is often mistaken for illnesses such as Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Parkinson’s, ADHD, and even Alzheimer’s.
Georgia Lyme Disease Association is proud to have provided both technical assistance and funding in support Dr. Clark’s important research.
Liz Schmitz is founder and president of the Georgia Lyme Disease Association. She can be reached via the group’s website.
This is such extremely important research…kudos to Kerry Clark and the Georgia folks for making it happen!
This is the kind of scientific verification that is needed to put Lyme on the radar in the southeast, where we are dealing with unbelievable denial on the part of local doctors and officials about the presence of Lyme disease.
About four years ago, my husband was bitten by a lone star tick on our property in north central Florida. He took a short prophylactic course of doxycycline, (which we had on hand) but didn’t have a doctor who would prescribe a full month course. He was in great health at the time of the bite and exercising regularly. Two months later he had the onset of severe bilateral hip and shoulder pain which was diagnosed as Polymyalgia rheumatica along with fatigue and brain fog.
He saw a rheumatologist and was put on prednisone, which did not help and he continued to go downhill. Later his hands swelled so that I had to tie his shoes for him. His shoulders were so painful that he couldn’t pull the covers up over himself in bed. He could no longer workout or even take a walk.
Months later, he saw a LLMD in New York and began treatment for Lyme. He was in treatment for almost a year–orals and IM bicillin–and recovered almost completely.
We knew that the lonestar tick was the culprit and it’s past time that our regional doctors are aware of this.
Hi I was just bit by a lone star tick and I currently have rheumatoid arthritis I am bringing it to the health dept tomorrow and calling my doctor who I don’t think will do anything.i live at the jersey shore and have no problem traveling anywhere to get the correct treatment,can you recommend where to go?Also two of my children have lymes disease since they were toddlers they are in their twenties now but what a nightmare getting them diagnosed snd treated in the 90s.they both have several medical issues, it’s so sad how difficult it is to get help.my 15 y/o just gave me one if his antibiotics from his ear infection to take.any info will be appreciated ty
i got bit by a lone star tick in nj, I saved the tick, they didn’t test the tick, all the lab said on the paper, was this tick is not the kind of tick that carries lyme, now im fatigued, no energy and my upper back is in pain, my spine, I don’t know if its related, but now my dr is going to test me for lyme since I have lightheaded and dizzy.
So why is the CDC still lying and why is there nothing being done yet are so worried about a thing called zika virus. It’s all BS!!! Millions dying and no one accountable for lying about this. Unreal, just go to your monthly support group until your dead.
Lone star ticks do carry borrelia burgdorferi. If they carry it then they transmit it. How do I know? Because I have the tick test that proves it. let’s see if this gets posted In the comments.
I am a victim of Southern Lyme disease and a native of East Tennessee. I went misdiagnosed for over a decade. Yes, I did have the” bullseye” rash, however it was misdiagnosed as a spider bite 12 years ago. Had my doctor known to test for Lyme, my physical and mental health may not have been obliterated. I have Neuro Lyme and all the symptoms that entails. Positive Elisa and confirmation with the western blot. When I was contacted by the Tn department of health, the official stated he wasn’t counting my case as an official case of Lyme. When I asked why not? The only explanation he gave me was that we don’t have the white footed mouse. He also stated that Lyme is extremely rare in Tennessee. Well I have full blown Lyme and have been on iv rocephin daily for over a year via picc line. Also, I have become friends with a lady 30 miles from where I live in Maryville, Tn who also has Lyme. I have also spoke with a nurse from this area whose husband had Lyme and was treated in D.C….So, I don’t believe it is rare in Tennessee. There are documented cases of Lyme in all 8 states bordering Tn. In my opinion, Tennessee is directly in the center of the bullseye of the southern tick epidemic.