Podcasts about ehrlichia

Introduction: In this special episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, recorded live at the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Conference, we welcome Wilberto Castillo, a representative of ArminLabs. ArminLabs, based in Augsburg, Germany, is a leading laboratory specializing in the diagnosis of tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease. ArminLabs' Comprehensive Diagnostic Approach: Innovative Testing Methods: EliSpot Assay: Measures cellular immunity to detect active infections with an estimated sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 94%. iSpot Assay: Assesses the immune system's response to infections for deeper insights into immune activity. Wide Range of Pathogen Detection: Tests for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, as well as Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, and various viruses. Offers T-cell and NK-cell testing to assess immune system suppression and infection activity. Patient-Centric Services: Remote Testing Options: Provides an at-home blood collection kit to make testing more accessible. Personalized Test Recommendations: Uses patient questionnaires and analytical algorithms to recommend the most relevant tests for each individual. Resources & Links: Follow the latest ILADS updates at ILADS.org Learn more about ArminLabs at ArminLabs.com Stay connected with Tick Boot Camp: Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter (X)

In This Episode: Nicole Bell, CEO of Galaxy Diagnostics, shares her journey from personal experience with Lyme disease in her family to leading innovation in diagnostics. The connection between tick-borne pathogens and chronic diseases like early-onset Alzheimer's. Why traditional Lyme disease tests often fail and the need for direct detection methods. The latest advancements in testing for Borrelia, Bartonella, Babesia, and other stealth pathogens. The impact of Nicole's "State of Lyme Disease Research" report on the Lyme community. What patients and healthcare providers need to know about cutting-edge diagnostic tools. Why This Matters: An increasing number of studies link flea- and tick-borne pathogens to chronic illnesses affecting the joints, heart, and central nervous system. These infections mimic conditions like lupus and fibromyalgia, making them hard to diagnose without advanced testing. Galaxy Diagnostics offers specialized tests to detect Lyme Borrelia, Bartonella, Babesia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia species—providing a much-needed solution for patients seeking accurate diagnoses. Resources & Links:

The treatment landscape for Lyme disease has undergone significant evolution over the years, offering a wider array of options to manage this multifaceted illness. When I first began treating Lyme disease in 1987, the primary antibiotic prescribed was doxycycline. This choice was driven by doxycycline's effectiveness not only against Lyme disease itself but also against co-infections such as Ehrlichia and Anaplasmosis. These co-infections, often transmitted by the same ticks that carry Lyme, present additional challenges in patient management. However, when patients couldn't tolerate doxycycline due to side effects or failed to respond to the treatment, rifampin emerged as a viable alternative. For pediatric patients, the treatment approach required special consideration. amoxicillin was commonly used to avoid the risk of dental staining associated with doxycycline, which can be a concern for growing children. However, the limitation of amoxicillin lies in its inability to combat co-infections like Ehrlichia or Anaplasmosis. Over time, other antibiotics related to amoxicillin, such as Pen VK, IM Bicillin, Omnicef, and Ceftin, became available. Of these, Ceftin (cefuroxime axetil) is notably the only one FDA-approved specifically for Lyme disease, reinforcing its role in the treatment regimen. When dealing with neurologic Lyme disease, which can involve the central nervous system and present with symptoms such as memory loss, cognitive difficulties, and neuropathy, the approach often necessitates more aggressive treatment. Intravenous (IV) antibiotics like ceftriaxone (Rocephin) and Claforan were preferred due to their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, a crucial factor in effectively treating neurological manifestations. These IV antibiotics are essential for some patients, particularly those with severe or persistent symptoms, but they are not without risks. The use of PICC lines for IV administration carries potential complications, including infections and blood clots. Interestingly, in my experience, many patients with chronic neurologic Lyme have shown significant improvement with oral antibiotics, allowing them to avoid the complexities and risks associated with IV treatments. For patients who are allergic to or unable to tolerate doxycycline, or for those who are sun-sensitive—a common side effect of doxycycline—Zithromax (azithromycin) and Biaxin (clarithromycin) have emerged as effective alternatives. These antibiotics belong to the macrolide class and have shown efficacy comparable to doxycycline in the majority of clinical studies, offering additional options for patient care. In the treatment of co-infections like Bartonella, the approach becomes more nuanced. Bartonella, initially identified as the causative agent of cat scratch fever, has been a subject of ongoing debate in the context of Lyme disease. This bacterium is traditionally associated with transmission through cat scratches, where the bacteria are introduced under the skin from cat saliva or flea feces. However, there is growing evidence suggesting that Bartonella may also be transmitted via tick bites, complicating the clinical picture for Lyme disease patients. In treating suspected Bartonella co-infections, I have employed antibiotics from the doxycycline, Zithromax, and rifampin families, drawing on research related to cat scratch fever. Additionally, I have used Bactrim (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) in some cases. However, I generally avoid fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin due to their association with severe side effects, including joint pain, tendonitis, and tendon ruptures. Babesia, another common co-infection found in Lyme disease patients, requires a different treatment approach altogether. Babesia is a parasite that infects red blood cells, causing symptoms similar to malaria. For treating Babesia, I often prescribe atovaquone, availa

Since opening my Lyme disease practice in 1987, I've witnessed significant changes in how we diagnose and treat this complex illness. Early on, I prescribed doxycycline for Lyme disease and Ehrlichia. However, my first three patients in 1987 did not respond to doxycycline, so I referred one to Boston for further consultation. They returned with a recommendation for amoxicillin, marking the first major shift in my treatment approach. By 1990, I had started prescribing intravenous ceftriaxone (Rocephin), based on emerging reports of its effectiveness in chronic neurologic Lyme disease. This adjustment was influenced by reports from doctors Dr. Logigian, Kaplan and Steere, who documented treatment of chronic neurologic Lyme disease cases. I added azithromycin (marked as Zithromax in the USA) and clarithromycin (marketed as Biaxin I the USA) into my practice, based on emerging reports of its effectiveness. My practice changed again when Dr. Krause and colleagues reported the presence of Babesia, a parasite found in the same ticks that carry Lyme disease. At the time, treating Babesia was challenging, as the available regimen of clindamycin and quinine was difficult for patients to tolerate. The introduction of alternative treatments like atovaquone (Mepron) combined with azithromycin provided a more tolerable option, and I began prescribing these, particularly for patients who were not improving with other antibiotics. Over the years, I've adapted my practice to include longer treatment durations and combination antibiotic therapies, especially in cases of chronic or persistent Lyme disease. I've also incorporated treatments for co-infections like Bartonella, which was initially thought to be associated with cat scratches but is now recognized as a potential tick-borne illness. In addition to antibiotics, I've kept a close eye on new developments, such as the use of disulfiram (Antabuse) and double-dose dapsone, which has been explored by Dr. Horowitz for its potential benefits in treating chronic Lyme disease. While I have not yet adopted these treatments extensively, I remain open to new evidence-based approaches. The concept of biofilms and persisters—bacteria that survive despite standard treatment—has also influenced my practice. The persister hypothesis borrowed from research on other persistent infections like tuberculosis, suggest that longer or more aggressive treatment may be necessary for some patients. While antibiotics remain the cornerstone of my treatment approach, I also recognize the role of alternative therapies for some patients. I collaborate with alternative medicine practitioners when needed, ensuring that every patient receives a comprehensive and closely monitored treatment plan. I continue to share my experiences and insights through writing and social media, fostering dialogue and contributing to the ongoing conversation about Lyme disease treatment.

Preventing Chronic Lyme Disease: Insights from 37 Years of ExperienceAs a Lyme disease expert, preventing chronic illness associated with Lyme disease has been a primary focus of my practice for the past 37 years. Despite early intervention and comprehensive care, some patients still find themselves battling long-term, debilitating symptoms. This post outlines the strategies and lessons I've learned over the years in my mission to prevent chronic Lyme disease.Understanding the Challenges of Lyme DiseaseLyme disease is a complex and often misunderstood condition. It can manifest in a variety of symptoms, which differ widely from patient to patient. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and can affect multiple body systems, making diagnosis and treatment particularly challenging. Even when Lyme disease is caught early and treated with antibiotics, some patients continue to suffer from persistent symptoms, leading to what is often referred to as chronic Lyme disease.Early and Accurate Diagnosis: The First Line of DefenseOne of the most critical steps in preventing chronic Lyme disease is ensuring an early and accurate diagnosis. Lyme disease is primarily a clinical diagnosis, meaning that it should be based on a patient's symptoms and history rather than relying solely on test results. This is because the standard two-tiered testing approach can miss early or late-stage infections.In my experience, comprehensive evaluations are essential, especially for patients with persistent symptoms. This includes not only testing for Lyme disease but also for co-infections like Babesia, Bartonella, and Ehrlichia, which are often transmitted by the same ticks that carry Lyme disease. These co-infections can complicate the clinical picture and require different treatment approaches.Tailored Treatment Plans: No One-Size-Fits-All ApproachNot all patients respond to standard treatment protocols. While a typical course of antibiotics might be effective for some, others may require extended treatment or a combination of therapies to address the varying stages of the infection. Monitoring each patient's progress is crucial, and being willing to adjust treatment plans based on their response is key to preventing chronic symptoms from developing.Patient Education and Support: Empowering Patients for Better OutcomesEducating patients about the potential for chronic symptoms, even after early treatment, is vital. Patients need to be aware that symptoms can recur and that it's important to seek medical attention promptly if they do. This awareness can prevent the disease from progressing to a chronic state and can help patients manage their health more effectively.Continuous support from healthcare providers is also essential. Chronic illness can be isolating, and having a supportive medical team can make a significant difference in a patient's journey. This support can take many forms, including regular follow-up appointments, providing resources for symptom management, and offering encouragement and reassurance.Holistic Care and Immune Support: Addressing the Whole PatientIncorporating supportive therapies and focusing on overall immune system health can significantly improve outcomes for patients with Lyme disease. A holistic approach to care, which addresses both physical and mental health, can help mitigate the progression of chronic Lyme disease. This might include therapies such as physical therapy, nutritional support, and mental health counseling to address the wide-ranging impacts of the disease. 

What is a common-sense approach to testing for Tick-borne infection. I focus on the most common infections that I see a Lyme disease infection. I order a Lyme disease test as well as test for infections like Ehrlichia, Anaplasmosis, and Babesia. I don't typically order Mycoplasma or Chlamydia unless there is evidence that there's active infection.  I order an ELISA test, which is also called Lyme titer.  I also order a western blot and IgG and IgM test. These are test where you need two out of three bands IgM bands. You need five out of 10 IgG bands to be called positive by the CDC criteria. These are bands that were identified and in 1994 at a consensus meeting in Dearborn Michigan.  These markers are protein that have been identified in Lyme disease infections.  For example, the 41 kDa band represents a protein contained in the tail of a spirochete. I have not been ordering a C6 peptide or VlsE protein tests for Lyme disease as they are not as reliable as I would like.  None of these tests for Lyme disease are all that sensitive in my experience.  I have often had to use clinical judgement to diagnose and treat Lyme disease. I also order IgG and IgM tests for co-infections with Babesia, Bartonella, Anaplasmosis, and Ehrlichia. I have not found PCR tests for these co-infections as helpful as I would like. I have found a blood smear for Babesia not helpful if a patient has been sick more than 2 weeks.   Some doctors have assumed Bartonella tests have been positive due to exposure to fecal matter from mites living on cats. I can't be sure the cause of positive tests for Bartonella in patients with Lyme disease.  I don't typically ordered labs for infections such as tularemia or Brucellosis despite concerns by some of my colleagues. I have found treatment for Lyme disease would take care of these infections if they were present. I typically do not sent bloods to a specialty lab if someone's on a budget. I also do not send bloods to these labs if I am going to treat clinically.   I also order extensive testing to rule other illnesses like a CBC, comprehensive metabolic profile, ANA, RA, thyroid, sed rate, vitamin B12 and D.    I may order a free T4 and free T3 if I am considering a thyroid condition.  I have found ANA frustrating as most of the ANA tests are false positive. A positive dsDNA supports the diagnosis of lupus. My patients don't typically have three other conditions that would support the diagnosis of Lupus. I refer my patients to see a rheumatologist if there is a need to rule out lupus. I typical order blood test for a tick-borne illness four weeks or 4 to 6 weeks after onset of their illness to increase the chances that I might get a positive test.  I have had to use clinical judgement to treat a tick-borne infection if my patient is sick for less than 4 weeks or if I suspect a false negative test,

Welcome! Today, we're discussing my concerns with a single dose of doxycycline for a tick bite. Case Study: Ineffective Prophylactic Treatment I had a patient who took a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline within 24 hours of removing an engorged tick, thinking it would prevent Lyme disease. Unfortunately, seven months later, he was chronically ill with Lyme disease. He never developed a rash, and his lab tests for Lyme disease were negative. He eventually resolved his chronic illness with doxycycline followed by a combination of atovaquone and azithromycin. Co-Infections and Their Impact Ticks can harbor multiple infections, not just Lyme disease. In the Northeast, common co-infections include Ehrlichia, Anaplasmosis, Babesia, and Bartonella. These can lead to acute and chronic illnesses such as Lyme arthritis, Lyme carditis, chronic neurologic Lyme, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). The Need for Effective PreventionEffective prevention following a tick bite remains a challenge. One study found that a ten-day antibiotic course failed to prevent Lyme disease. Another study suggested that a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline could be effective if taken within 72 hours of a deer tick bite in endemic areas.However, a single dose of doxycycline hasn't been shown to prevent common Lyme disease manifestations like Lyme arthritis, Lyme carditis, Lyme meningitis, POTS, or PANS. It also doesn't prevent co-infections such as Babesia. Concerns with Single Dose ProphylaxisA single dose of doxycycline raises several concerns. It may prevent the erythema migrans rash, which is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. It might also prevent a positive test result needed to confirm Lyme disease early.Discussing Treatment Options I discuss with my patients the risks of prophylactically treating with a single dose of doxycycline versus not treating at all. I've seen patients return with acute and chronic neurological symptoms after a single dose of doxycycline.I generally follow two approaches. Some patients are monitored closely without treatment and followed up after a month to check for any signs of Lyme disease or co-infections. Blood tests can be helpful in these cases. Other patients are treated for 3 to 4 weeks with a follow-up to assess the outcome.  Patients and their families unfamiliar with Lyme disease are more likely to opt for monitoring. Those with prior experience with Lyme disease often agree to antibiotic treatment with follow-up. Conclusion We need a preventive measure that effectively prevents both acute and chronic manifestations of Lyme disease and its co-infections. Although we're not there yet, understanding these challenges helps us move closer to effective solutions. Thank you for watching, and stay tuned for more insights on Lyme disease.

Welcome! Today, we're discussing the treatment of Babesia and Lyme disease, focusing on real patient experiences and effective treatment strategies.I had a patient who remained chronically ill six months after treating for Lyme disease. Despite exhaustive evaluations, she was still symptomatic. Her antibody tests came back positive for Babesia, although her thick smear and PCR were negative. She believed Babesia was asymptomatic since it wasn't seen in her red blood cells, but she was very symptomatic. Babesia is a parasite transmitted by the same deer ticks that carry Lyme disease. Some patients have Babesia parasites visible in their red blood cells under a microscope, usually seen at the onset of the illness for one to two weeks. In some cases, especially in the elderly or immunocompromised, the parasite can persist longer, leading to severe illness requiring intensive care." Some Babesia patients don't experience acute, life-threatening illness and might not have visible parasites in blood smears. Instead, positive antibody tests for Babesia, such as IgM and IgG for Babesia microti or Babesia duncani, can indicate the presence of the infection. I've seen positive Babesia duncani tests even on the east coast, suggesting the need for further research. I've had patients who, despite negative tests, improved after Babesia treatment. These patients often failed treatments for Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichia, and Bartonella for months or years, unaware that Babesia could be a co-infection. For Babesia treatment, I avoid quinine and clindamycin due to their higher rate of side effects. Instead, I recommend atovaquone combined with azithromycin, which is more tolerable. Atovaquone is marketed as Malarone and Mepron in the USA. Malarone is a pill, while Mepron is a thick yellow liquid. Malarone is generally less expensive and more convenient. Malarone also comes in a pediatric dose, making it easier to tolerate for patients with an upset stomach or those concerned about a Herxheimer reaction. I usually prescribe 30 days of atovaquone, longer than the 10 days suggested by some studies, as my patients often aren't treated at the onset of their Babesia infection." I combine atovaquone with azithromycin and discuss the risks of azithromycin versus untreated Babesia. If necessary, I consult a cardiologist to rule out prolonged QT interval and treat for the same duration as atovaquone." If a patient can't take azithromycin or if there's a possibility of co-infection with Anaplasmosis or Ehrlichia, I may substitute doxycycline. For patients failing atovaquone with azithromycin, tafenoquine (Arakoda) has been introduced as an alternative. Although it's currently difficult to obtain, it has shown some success in persistent Babesia cases." Atovaquone is often covered by prescription plans, and services like GoodRx can reduce the cost to less than $80 in some communities. This makes it a viable option for many patients. Conclusion Treating Babesia is often overlooked in patients with recurrent or prolonged illnesses. With ongoing research and new treatments, there's hope for better management and outcomes for patients with Babesia and Lyme disease. Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more insights on managing tick-borne diseases."

Lyme Disease and Your DogWelcome to our educational series on Lyme disease. Today, we'll discuss how to protect yourself and your loved ones, including your pets, from tick-borne diseases.Let's start with a story. One of my patients took precautions by using DEET and wearing clothes treated with pyrethrum. He also had a dog that wore a tick collar and was checked for ticks regularly. Despite this, he woke up with a deer tick attached.Ticks can carry several diseases, not just Lyme disease. These include Ehrlichia, Anaplasmosis, Babesia, and the Powassan virus. It's crucial to be aware of these risks."Many patients use DEET, recommended by the CDC, for tick prevention. However, DEET is more effective against mosquitoes. I've had patients report tick bites despite using DEET."Pyrethrum is another option. It can be applied to clothing, but not directly to the skin. It's effective, but can cause side effects like dizziness and headaches. Also, its effectiveness decreases with washing." Risks with DogsDogs can increase your risk of tick exposure. They can pick up ticks outside and bring them into your home. Even with tick prevention measures, ticks can still be a problem.I recommend using a dust vac on furniture before sitting next to your dog. This can help reduce the risk of ticks in your home."It's best to avoid letting your dog sleep in your bed. Ticks can leave your dog and bite you without you noticing."Special Concerns for Pregnant WomenPregnant women need to be especially careful. Tick bites can pose risks to both mother and baby. Avoiding tick bites is crucial, and if you do get bitten, consult your doctor immediately."Practical AdviceHere are some practical tips:1. Use a dust vac on furniture before sitting with your dog.2. Avoid letting your dog into the bedroom.3. Perform regular tick checks on yourself and your pets after spending time outdoors.4. Pregnant women should consult their doctor if bitten by a tick." Conclusion While dogs are wonderful companions, they can increase your risk of tick exposure. By taking these precautions, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from tick-borne diseases. Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more tips on staying safe from Lyme disease. 

This past year, we've had an unprecedented number of testimonials coming in from people who have experienced amazing healing in my Embracing Health program using this work for healing chronic illness. During the month of May, our MindBody TV episodes feature LIVE interaction from our students! You'll hear about their personal journeys and what happened for them during the program and be able to ask them your questions. In this week's final episode, I talked to 3 graduates – Jen Young, Enjolique Zimmerman, and Ellen Rainford; all with different illnesses and healing journeys, but similar results of being able to truly live again. Jen Young had a history of illnesses such as Lyme disease, Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, EBV, mold toxicity, rare autoimmune diseases and more. She describes her experience in the program as life-changing: “My lifetime of collecting, suppressing, and running from pain culminated in a decade-long illness that finally invited me to truly live!” Enjolique Zimmerman had been suffering through various states of disease and dysfunction her entire life – with a list of diagnoses, specialists, and medications that grew longer every year. Embracing Health has transformed her from unstable to unstoppable: “By letting go of the resistance to her highly sensitive nature and learning to tune in and support her system via MindBody Medicine and the Embracing Health program, she invited resolution of it all!” Ellen Rainford went from barely surviving with chronic fatigue, EBV, and Hashimoto's rooted in suppression, people-pleasing, and living in fear to joyfully thriving: “Embracing Health helped me to connect to my body, and who I am truly meant to be! I am now living in true abundance and joy, embracing all my emotions, and shining my light for all to see! Disease no longer lives in my body, and I feel like I have a new opportunity to live life to its fullest… and I am seizing every moment!” ***** Access The MindBody Toolkit Here: https://drkimd.com/book/ Learn more about The Embracing Health Program: https://drkimd.com/health/

In this special crossover episode between Tick Boot Camp Podcast and the Vital Plan Network, we welcome back Dr. Bill Rawls, a trusted mentor to our Lyme Disease community. With over 50,000 downloads per episode, our listeners represent a broad spectrum of those impacted by Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. Dr. Rawls provides insight into the complex relationship between microbes and the immune system, drawing from his vast knowledge and research. Microbial Strategy: Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and yeast can all turn human tissues into their food supply. Dr. Rawls emphasizes the importance of understanding how microbes infiltrate and weaken the body's barriers. Lyme & Co-Infections: Lyme disease is associated with a range of chronic conditions like MS, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and even cancer. Co-infections such as Bartonella, Babesia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Ehrlichia can exacerbate the symptoms. Barriers to Disease: Skin: Our first defense in keeping pathogens out. Immune System: The internal army fighting off infections. Cells: Designed to protect and regenerate themselves. Gut Microbiome: The critical ecosystem maintaining balance and immunity. Antibiotics vs. Herbs: Antibiotics are effective against fast-growing bacteria, but Lyme grows slowly (approximately every 12 hours). Herbs are often more effective against slow-growing bacteria like Borrelia (Lyme). Doctor Rawls has created his science-backed herbal Restore Kit to treat chronic Lyme disease. Tick Vigilance: Dr. Rawls emphasizes tick vigilance, noting that ticks inject bacteria directly into the bloodstream through numbed skin, making detection essential. He stresses checking oneself thoroughly after outdoor activities. Adaptogenic Support & Herbal Protocols: Dr. Rawls discusses how adaptogens like mushrooms and other herbs help regulate the body's response to stress and promote healing, especially when combined in comprehensive protocols like the Restore Kit. Doctor Rawls has created his HPA Balance herbal adaptogen blend in addition to his Adaptogen Recovery herbal blend included in his Restore Kit. Chlorella & Detoxification: Chlorella is highlighted for its ability to bind and purge toxins from the body. Sweating through exercise or sauna therapy enhances blood flow and aids in flushing metabolic waste. Doctor Rawls has created his Pure Chlorella product to assist with binding and detoxification. Mitochondrial Support: The role of cellular health in Lyme recovery is vital. Supporting mitochondria with herbal supplements, like the Mitochondrial Support in the Restore Kit, reduces stress signals from cells, calming the body's fight-or-flight response.

In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ehrlichia⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠from the Microbiology section. Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Medbullets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on social media: Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbullets Instagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficial Twitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/medbulletsstep1/message

Introduction Today's special guest: Lacey Anderson, a Registered Nurse (RN) with a specialty in Sexually Transmitted Infections and mental health from Alberta, Canada. The focus of today's episode: Lacey's personal and professional journey dealing with Lyme disease, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Toxoplasmosis. Why you don't want to miss this: Lacey's rich clinical experience coupled with her personal journey through chronic illnesses offers a nuanced perspective on mental and physical health. The Healthcare System: A Double-Edged Sword Personal challenges faced within the Canadian healthcare system. Comparisons between U.S. and Canadian healthcare models, particularly in treating chronic conditions. Nervous System Health Deep dive into how the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are affected by chronic conditions like Lyme. Suggestions for potential treatment protocols. Navigating the Healthcare System Importance of clear communication with healthcare professionals. Lacey's tips, especially valuable given her experience as a nurse. Medical Frameworks: Blessing or Curse? An exploration of medical frameworks, both as a patient and healthcare provider. How these frameworks can be restrictive when dealing with complex illnesses. Holistic Health: A New Approach Lacey's holistic approach to treating her conditions. The intersection of physical, emotional, and spiritual elements in healthcare. Conditions and Treatment Regimens Current treatments Lacey is undergoing for her diagnoses. The power of herbal protocols and lifestyle changes. Sensation, Pain, and Chronic Illness Lacey's experiences with internal organ sensation changes and "thunderclap headaches." Why understanding the unique types of pain can help in treatment. Transmission of Lyme and Co-Infections Existing research and gaps in understanding Lyme transmission, particularly in sexual transmission. Lacey's expert insights into this controversial topic. Closing Remarks How you can follow Lacey's ongoing journey and glean more insights into chronic illness management.

Preventative diagnostics is a critically important component of veterinary care. In the U.S., only 40-50% of pet owners take their pets to the vet once a year. While the costs of vet visits continue to increase, the cost of not taking your pet to the vet regularly can far outweigh the cost of a vet visit. With the cost of a simple vet visit now approaching $100 in some areas, and the costs of any tests and treatments further adding to the total cost of the bill, many pet parents take the approach of not bringing their pet to the vet unless they see overt signs that their pet is struggling. However, dogs and cats are very good at masking issues that they might be having and not outwardly showing any signs of pain, and without regular checkups, issues that could have been easily managed if they were caught early can quickly turn into much more catastrophic health events. On the latest episode of Petworking, I was joined by Dr. Ben Hantler, DVM, MBA, and Senior Product Manager at Heska, and my colleague, Jessica Stewart, Senior Manager at Maia Strategy Group. Prior to joining Maia, Jessica was a Diagnostic Support Consultant at IDEXX. In the course of our conversation, Ben noted that 20-30% of serious cases could have been mitigated or prevented with regular veterinary visits. While pet insurance is undoubtedly a key driver in getting pet parents to visit the vet more frequently, Ben, Jess, and I kept our conversation focused on diagnostics. We touched on the variety of tests available, from organ function assessments and blood counts, to infectious disease screenings like heartworm testing. The necessity of these getting these tests on an annual basis cannot be understated, when it comes to catching potential health issues early. When we adopted Peony, we were told she was heartworm-negative. However, a month after we got her, I brought her to the vet, because she seemed to be experiencing pain in her hind legs, and our trainer suspected she might have pulled a muscle. Wanting to eliminate tick-borne illnesses as a potential cause of her symptoms, our vet ran a SNAP test. While it was negative for Lyme, Ehrlichia, and Anaplasma, it did show that she was positive for heartworm. Had we not gotten Peony tested, it's very likely that we would have caught the infection too late to treat her. The American Heartworm Society notes that even the most sensitive heartworm test can fail to detect the presence of antigen when levels of circulating antigen are low due to the presence of immature worms. Our vet told us that this was likely how we were told Peony was heartworm-negative when we adopted her. Unfortunately, if left untreated, heartworm can cause severe organ damage, heart failure, and respiratory issues, and can have fatal consequences. Even catching it early, it was a several-month process to treat Peony, during which we had to restrict her activity to two 5-minute walks per day. In addition to catching potentially fatal diseases like heartworm, regular diagnostic testing can provide pet owners with a baseline that they can refer to as their pet ages. Having year-over-year data on biomarkers like blood levels, kidney function, etc. can alert your vet to changes that may indicate potential health issues in your pet, even in the absence of symptoms. As part of this discussion, Ben, Jess and I delved into the potential use of biometric data from pet trackers, and the need to expand preventative diagnostic testing to a direct-to-consumer model. There is significant potential to enhance the quality of care through the provision of consumer-collected data to veterinarians, but a limiting factor that needs to be addressed is ensuring consistent quality in at-home sample collection. Ultimately, this is a field at the cusp of significant evolution, promising a future where preventative care, supported by technological advancements, could drastically improve the lives of pets and pet owners alike.

Drs. Alex Finch and Venk Bellamkonda talk through tick related infectious diseases including Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis and more! Tick related illnesses are prevalent this time of year, so take a moment to brush up on how to manage them. CONTACTS Twitter - @AlwaysOnEM; @VenkBellamkonda Instagram – @AlwaysOnEM; @Venk_like_vancomycin; @ASFinch Email - AlwaysOnEM@gmail.com REFERENCES & LINKS Society guidelines: United States CDC Tickborne diseases of the US Anaplasmosis - information for healthcare providers Babesiosis - resources for healthcare professionals Ehrlichiosis Lyme Disease RMSF A reference manual for healthcare providers 2017 American Academy of Pediatrics has several publications on babesiosis, borrelia infections other than Lyme, Ehrlichia, anaplasma, Lyme itself, RMSF Infectious Disease society of America Clinical practice guideline on diagnosis and management of babesiosis 2020 Canada Canadian pediatric society  Practice point on Lyme disease in Canada - focus on children 2021 Society of OB / Gyn of Canada Committee opinion for management of tick bites and Lyme disease during pregnancy 2020 Australia - New Zealand Australian government department of health released An Australian guideline on the diagnosis of overseas - acquired Lyme disease / borreliosis in 2015 Japan  choosing wisely Japan - Lyme disease 2018 India Department of health research - Indian council of medical research (ICMR) - guidelines for diagnosis and management of rickettsial diseases in India in 2015 UK National institute for health and care Excellence (NICE)  quality standards on Lyme disease 2019 Guideline on Lyme disease 2018 British Infection Association (BIA)

In today's episode of Tick Boot Camp, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Jill Carnahan, a renowned Lyme specialist and the founder and medical director of Flatiron Functional Medicine in Colorado. She has been featured on various media outlets including Forbes, NBC, and Huffington Post. In this episode, we discuss her newly released book "Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith" which provides a deep insight into her journey and battles with health and environmental challenges. Key Points: We welcomed back Michelle McKeon, a Lyme, MCAS, and mold specialist, who first appeared in episode 141 "Balancing Pathways". Michelle offers her expertise, helping us do a deep dive into Dr. Carnahan's extensive knowledge of functional medicine. Dr. Carnahan shares details of her childhood on a farm, the environmental toxic load, and how it affected her health, leading to her developing a holistic approach to medicine. She discusses her personal struggle with Lyme disease, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, and Babesia in addition to what she's done to heal. Dr. Carnahan shares her battle with breast cancer and the effect of chemotherapy on her gut health. Dr. Carnahan's approach to recovery was a combination of aggressive treatment and a focus on nutrition, meditation, and prayer. We discuss the impact of environmental toxins and the concept of the "toxic bucket" and how it ties into health issues faced by Dr. Carnahan, such as Crohn's disease, Lyme disease, breast cancer, and more. Dr. Carnahan speaks about the limbic response in our brain that gets triggered due to chemical inhalations, causing limbic activation. We dive into the discussion of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and mold exposure, which seem to be common in most complex cases these days. Dr. Carnahan shares her personal experience with mold exposure. The concept of resilience is discussed in depth - how Dr. Carnahan faced multiple health challenges with a mindset of overcoming any obstacle in her path. She also talks about how she used meditation and visualization as a powerful tool for her healing process. Learn about flow state and how it can physically and emotionally help your body heal. We also discuss how type C personality traits correlate with certain illnesses. Dr. Carnahan walks us through her treatment approach to mold exposure. She advocates for personalized treatment protocols involving a mix of binders, glutathione, and support for mitochondria and the limbic system. We touch on the promising hyperthermia treatment and its potential benefits for patients with chronic Lyme disease, among others. In the latter part of the episode, Dr. Carnahan shares her experiences and perspectives on life, purpose, and relationships, urging us all to view our life's journey from a broader perspective and cultivate self-love. Relevant Links: Unexpected: Finding Resilience Through Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith: Dr. Jill Carnahan's book. Flatiron Functional Medicine: Dr. Jill Carnahan's practice. "Balancing Pathways": Previous episode with Michelle McKeon. Doctor/Patient: Dr. Jill Carnahan's upcoming documentary. The Lyme Specialist: Michelle McKeon's resources and services. Doctor Page: Dr. Jill Carnahan's feature on Tick Boot Camp's website. Instagram - Facebook - Twitter - YouTube: Dr. Jill Carnahan's social media. Instagram - Facebook: Michelle McKeon's social media.

Lyme disease is the fastest-growing infectious bacterial disease in the US. Mostly known for being transmitted by ticks but recently they found that mosquitoes, biting flies, and spiders can all give you Lyme disease. These ticks are most often carried by deer and white-footed mice Many people think of Lyme disease as an East Coast disease because it originated in Lyme, CT. It's now found in every state in the US & in almost every country in the world. One in three ticks in New England are carrying a tick-borne disease. “Tick-borne disease” meaning bacteria that a tick can transmit directly to your bloodstream when it is feeding off you. One of the many is Borrelia Burgdorferi which is the pathogen that causes Lyme disease. There are other diseases a tick can transmit including Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, to name a few. Testing is difficult because the bacteria enters your bloodstream and hides.  While it's in your bloodstream your body will mount an attack which causes symptoms and perhaps a bull's eye rash but once it finds a good hiding place it can lay dormant for years.  Symptoms will most likely fade and patients feel better.  A latent infection can bubble up later in life and the patient will have long forgotten about the tick bite they once had. Testing very early on while the bacteria is still in your bloodstream and the body has mounted an attack is the best time to test. Also, note that each of those other infections that can be caused from a tick bite require separate testing. Unfortunately, each of these bacterial infections also require separate treatment. So you can see how tricky treating a patient with a tick-borne disease can be. Even trickier to be that patient. First symptoms sometimes include a bullseye rash where you were bitten by a tick. A red dot with a white circle around it with another red circle around the whole thing looking like a bullseye. However, only 50% of people diagnosed with Lyme disease remember getting a tick bite with a rash. Another very common presentation for Lyme disease after a tick bite is something that resembles the flu. A great deal of fatigue, headaches and just a general sense of unwellness that can last up to three weeks. This is the crucial time to see a doctor, get tested, and start on the drug Doxycycline which will kill the bacteria in your bloodstream. Very difficult to diagnose and treat but very easy to prevent and we're gonna talk about that next time. Come see me on TikTok http://www.tiktok.com/melissaklpackiwellness  Visit on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/melissahallklepacki  Check out the free Wellness Assessment on my website: http://www.melissahallklepacki.com 

It's happened: In late January 2022, an astute veterinarian in Mount Isa diagnosed the first locally acquired case of the tick-borne disease, ehrlichiosis, in a Queensland dog. As predicted the disease is making its way south, and we want to make sure that you, like our Mt Isa vet, are able to spot and treat ehrlichiosis when it comes knocking on your door. Which, in all likelihood - it will, regardless of where you are in the country. This episode is a composite of two episodes that we released over the past two years on the Vet Vault Clinical podcast. Part one was released in 2021 soon after the disease first made its appearance in Western Australia in 2020. We speak to Dr Paolo Pazzi - a medicine specialist from South Africa where ehrlichiosis is an endemic disease and is commonly seen in practice. This episode covers the clinical aspects of the disease and aims to ensure that you don't miss these cases and to give you a guide on how to manage them. In part two we speak to Dr Katy Davis, who works in Karratha in Western Australia where the outbreak started, and Professor Peter Irwin, THE guru in all things vector-borne disease. They give us an update on the situation in Australia, and the message is clear: it's here, it's serious, and it's not quite the same disease in Australia as it is in countries where the disease is endemic. We talk about what you can expect, what to do and how to test when you see your first case, and we clarify some of the confusion around disease prevention. See it as a ‘how-to' guide for Australian vets. Thank you to Elanco Australia for supplying us with the expertise to help us clarify preventatives. Check out their tick preventative products, including the tick repellents Seresto and Advantix, as well as a new monthly chewable isoxazoline, Credelio, that will sort out you patients against tick paralysis, but as you'll hear, NOT ehrlichiosis. Who to contact if you have a suspected case of ehrlichiosis: Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888. Western Australia Northern Territory Queensland NSW Victoria South Australia Go to thevetvault.com for show notes and to check out our guests' favourite books, podcasts and everything else we talk about in the show. If you want to lift your clinical game, go to vvn.supercast.com for a free 2-week trial of our short and sharp high-value clinical podcasts. We love to hear from you. If you have a question for us or you'd like to give us some feedback please get in touch via email at thevetvaultpodcast@gmail.com, or just catch up with us on Instagram. And if you like what you hear then please share the love by clicking on the share button wherever you're listening and sending a link to someone who you know will enjoy listening. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/vet-vault/message

Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating cake licked by a cat. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Goudy Bold Italic on Twitter: “@benjaminchapman @bugcounter @firstbornspawn Risky or not: cake that a cat has been licking. Not frosted, plain top with occasional crumb topping. (Extra credit: gross or not?) Just happened, is it rude to not want to take home leftover cake after your hosts' cat has licked it?” / Twitter Cats | Healthy Pets, Healthy People | CDC ‘I'm not a cat': lawyer gets stuck on Zoom kitten filter during court case - YouTube Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia species infections in cats: European guidelines from the ABCD on prevention and management - Maria Grazia Pennisi, Regina Hofmann-Lehmann, Alan D Radford, Séverine Tasker, Sándor Belák, Diane D Addie, Corine Boucraut-Baralon, Herman Egberink, Tadeusz Frymus, Tim Gruffydd-Jones, Katrin Hartmann, Marian C Horzinek, Margaret J Hosie, Albert Lloret, Hans Lutz, Fulvio Marsilio, Etienne Thiry, Uwe Truyen, Karin Möstl, 2017 Detection of Bartonella henselae in domestic cats' saliva

Cat sniffing a cat cake Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of eating cake licked by a cat.Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ Goudy Bold Italic on Twitter: "@benjaminchapman @bugcounter @firstbornspawn Risky or not: cake that a cat has been licking. Not frosted, plain top with occasional crumb topping. (Extra credit: gross or not?) Just happened, is it rude to not want to take home leftover cake after your hosts' cat has licked it?" / Twitter Cats | Healthy Pets, Healthy People | CDC 'I'm not a cat': lawyer gets stuck on Zoom kitten filter during court case - YouTube Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia species infections in cats: European guidelines from the ABCD on prevention and management - Maria Grazia Pennisi, Regina Hofmann-Lehmann, Alan D Radford, Séverine Tasker, Sándor Belák, Diane D Addie, Corine Boucraut-Baralon, Herman Egberink, Tadeusz Frymus, Tim Gruffydd-Jones, Katrin Hartmann, Marian C Horzinek, Margaret J Hosie, Albert Lloret, Hans Lutz, Fulvio Marsilio, Etienne Thiry, Uwe Truyen, Karin Möstl, 2017 Detection of Bartonella henselae in domestic cats' saliva

Welcome to another Inside Lyme Podcast with your host Dr. Daniel Cameron. In this episode, Dr. Cameron will be discussing the case of a 71-year-old woman who was initially diagnosed with Ehrlichia, a tick-borne illness but later developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Ocurrió en Casabermeja, Málaga. El cazador y rehalero titular de Hero, una perritadiagnosticada con varias dolencias graves, la dejó encerrada en una furgoneta a plenosol durante días, en lugar de prestarle los cuidados que necesitaba.Hablamos con el abogado José Luis Mota, que ejerció la acusación particular con laasociación protectora de animales Ladram, sobre una sentencia condenatoria que hallegado hasta el Tribunal Supremo. Escuchamos también el testimonio de losresponsables de Ladram.Enlaces relacionados:Ladram: https://www.facebook.com/ladram.org/'Un mundo feliz', Aldous Huxley - https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Un_mundo_feliz'Algo supuestamente divertido que nunca volveré a hacer', David Foster Wallace -https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algo_supuestamente_divertido_que_nunca_volver%C3%A9_a_hacer'El nombre del viento', Patrick Rothfuss -https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_nombre_del_viento'Don Quijote de la Mancha', Miquel de Cervantes -https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quijote_de_la_Mancha

Dr. John Greene, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, shares a photo review of Zoonosis syndromes. Topics presented include tick-borne infections, Bartonellosis, Louse-borne infections, Rickettsioses (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Rickettsial pox, etc), Coxiella, Ehrlichia, and Relapsing Fever. Dr. Greene concludes the talk by covering Tularemia, the Plague (Yersinia Pestis), Orf, and the non-venereal Treponematoses.

Join Yvonne Brandenburg, RVT, VTS SAIM and Jordan Porter RVT, LVT, VTS SAIM as we talk about: The big four!!! Tick borne bacterial diseases; anaplasmosis, ehrlichia, lyme, and rocky mountain spotted fever, OH MY! Ever wonder how ticks transmit these diseases? Well you're about to find out, prepare to get squiggy.    Question of the Week Have you had a personal experience with one of these tick borne illnesses, like human experience.  Leave a comment at https://imfpp.org/episode89   Resources We Mentioned in the Show  Canine Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Parasitology Compendium. July 2005 (Vol 27, No 7). Rochelle M. Low , DVM , Jennifer L. Holm , DVM , DACVECC  https://www.vetfolio.com/learn/article/canine-rocky-mountain-spotted-fever Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Dogs. (Rickettsia rickettsii Infection). Janet E. Foley , DVM, PhD, University of California, Davis. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/rickettsial-diseases/rocky-mountain-spotted-fever-in-dogs    Anaplasmosis. Becky Lundgren, DVM. Date Published: 04/08/2014. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=6191808 Merrill, L. (2012). Small Animal Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses. Ames: Wiley - Blackwell.   Thanks so much for tuning in. Join us again next week for another episode!  Want to earn some RACE approved CE credits for listening to the podcast? You can earn between 0.5-1.0  hour of RACE approved CE credit for each podcast episode you listen to.    Join the Internal Medicine For Vet Techs Membership to earn and keep track of your continuing education hours as you get your learn on!   Join now! http://internalmedicineforvettechsmembership.com/   Get Access to the Membership Site for your RACE approved CE certificates Sign up at https://internalmedicineforvettechsmembership.com  Get Access to the Technician Treasure Trove  Sign up at https://imfpp.org/treasuretrove    Thanks for listening!  – Yvonne and Jordan 

www.RawDogFoodandCo.com - Your Pet's Health is Our Business - Friends Don't Let Friends Feed Kibble We ship the raw! One Stop Shopping - Best Balanced Blends, Air Dried Treats, Homeopathic Whole Food Supplements, Expert Health Team , Learning Center, and Wholesale Prices for Pure Raw Dog Food! Listen each week as the experts in pet health answer your questions about raw feeding, vaccinations, antibiotics, flea and tick and so much more. On today's episode:  1. What is Ehrlichia in Dogs - When it's serious and when it's not. 2. Keeping your dogs teeth in top shape. Grab our Bluto's Yummy Gum Brush Essential Oil for Clean Teeth 3. What to feed a raw diet if your pet is immune compromised? www.RawDogFoodandCo.com

Why You Should Listen: In this episode, you will learn about healing from mold and Lyme disease. About My Guests: My guest for this episode is Dr. Diane Mueller. Diane Mueller, ND, DAOM, LAc is a survivor of IBS, Lyme disease, and mold illness. Dr. Diane's journey to heal herself led her to complete two doctorate degrees in holistic health care. She has a Doctorate degree in Naturopathic Medicine as well as a Doctorate degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. She is passionate about bringing research, understanding, and compassion to those with these conditions. She has co-authored the book "Use Your Mind to Heal Your Mold and Lyme: A Survivor's Guide". Her practice, the Medicine with Heart Clinic, treats people from around the country. She co-owns an online functional medicine school, the Medicine with Heart Institute, where she trains clinicians around the world in functional medicine. Her recent book “Use Your Mind to Heal Your Mold and Lyme: A Survivor's Guide” shares many of the strategies that she used to recover her own health and the health of many of her patients. Key Takeaways: - Should mold be treated before Lyme disease? - Is killing the bug important for recovering health? - How can pulsing antimicrobials be part of a protocol? - What are persisters, and how are they addressed? - Can mycotoxins lead to leaky gut? - Does fungal colonization occur after exposure to water-damaged buildings? - How does Bartonella impact the lymphatics? - How do Ehrlichia and Anaplasma negatively impact our mitochondria? - What is the role of viruses and retroviruses in chronic illness? - Can medicine mushrooms be used in those with mold illness or fungal overgrowth? - What is the role of bile transporters in detoxification? - How might manganese or hyaluronic acid be used as "feeders"? - How might pulsing be used to avoid sensitization to therapeutic interventions? - What properties does cistus have that make it a useful tool? - Why is it important to approach biofilm treatment with caution? - What is the role of autophagy in cleansing? - What can negative thoughts do to the physical body? - Where can patients find support? Connect With My Guest: http://MedicineWithHeart.com Related Resources: Book - Use Your Mind to Heal Your Mold and Lyme: A Survivor's Guide Body, Mind, Mold and Lyme Summit Interview Date: April 6, 2021 Transcript: To review a transcript of this show, visit http://BetterHealthGuy.com/Episode143 Additional Information: To learn more, visit http://BetterHealthGuy.com. Disclosure: BetterHealthGuy.com is an affiliate of Amazon.com and HeySummit.com Disclaimer: The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority.

Dr Ciara Clarke talks to Oli about Alabama Rot and emerging infectious diseases such as Leishmania, Ehrlichia, Babesia. Plus all you need to know if you want to travel to Europe from the UK with your dog or pets.Alabama Rot map - www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/alabama-rot/ARRF charity website with up to date information and research - www.arrf.co.uk/Sponsors - Tractive.com GPS Pet Trackers 20% off a Tracker - click above or visit www.tractive.com/?dogsbestfriend for automatic discount.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Dr. Tiffany Brown-Bush is a 41-year-old Naturopathic Doctor, Certified Mental Health professional, creator of the EAT-FIT safe weight control program and co-creator of the CRAVE DETOX allergen free protein bar. She began her personal Lyme disease journey in 2016 and after treating with 5 doctors for over 2 years, she was diagnosed with several Lyme infections; including, Borrelia Burgdorferi, Babesia and Ehrlichia. Since her diagnosis, Dr. Brown-Bush has managed her symptoms with herbal protocols, the Wave 2 Free Medicia, cold laser treatments, sauna treatments, QNRT and EFT. If you would like to learn more about how Dr. Tiffany Brown-Bush is using a diverse set of diagnostic and treatment tools to manage her own symptoms and the Lyme disease symptoms of her patients, then tune in now!

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that in the U.S. alone, every 11 seconds a person gets an antibiotic-resistant infection, and every 15 minutes someone dies from one. In the last 10 years it is estimated that there have been 3 million new cases of the tick-borne disease generally called Lyme disease, which is most often actually multiple bacterial infections transmitted by the tick. Many, if not most of these infections are largely antibiotic-resistant, although new drug therapies, such as the latest, Disulfiram do show promise for some people. It is predictable however than drug therapies will always be limited in their effectiveness due to the ability of bacteria to eventually morph, changing their shape and function to avoid the drug. As a matter of fact, it has been shown by video microscopic observation that Lyme spirochetes are able to mutate within 15 seconds of the introduction of an antibiotic. One can only imagine the damage that the typical long-term antibiotic therapy is having on the body when it is often ineffective. Renewed efforts to develop better treatments has led researchers to revisit Phage therapy. Like something out of a Mission Impossible movie, imagine viral assassins that you could send to seek out and kill every single one of the worst antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the body. Bacteriophages are these assassins. Bacteriophages, often called phages, are viruses that specifically and only target and kill just the bad bacteria, while leaving the body and friendly bacteria alone. One type of phage will kill one type of bacteria. If you want to learn more about phages the following link is a good video that shows how phages work, although it is featuring a different type of phage therapy. Proponents of phage therapy tout several major advantages that phages have over antibiotics such as host-specificity, self-amplification, biofilm degradation, and low to no harm to human tissues. Researchers at the Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages in Tbilisi, Georgia found that the application of phages on in vitro colonies of the pathogen P. aeruginosa not only prevented additional biofilm formation by the pathogen but also dissolved existing biofilm. Phage treatments have eliminated biofilms formed by L. monocytogenes, P. aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus epidermidis on the surface of medical devices. These findings are highly relevant to the problem of persistent infections caused by implanted medical devices such as catheters, lenses, and prostheses where biofilm formation is common. This make strategic phage treatments especially appealing for infections that hide themselves, buried in thick biofilms, which render most treatments ineffective such as the spirochetes and coinfections that cause Borreliosis, or Lyme disease. Whether a person is dealing with the many tick-borne diseases, such as Borrelia, Babesia, Bartonella, and Ehrlichia, the gut infections of H. Pylori and C. Diff, the lung infections of Strep, Pseudomonas, and even Staph infections, all of which are considered highly treatment-resistant, phages can dissolve the protective biofilms and selectively kill them more infinitely more efficiently than antibiotics. Phage therapy is not new. It was first used in 1919 but was almost forgotten with the advent of the antibiotic age. Phage therapy saw a rapid resurrection in 2001. It is only recently however that it has regained serious interest in the scientific community, with the latest understanding of better ways to use phages. A leader in this field of study is the Biologix Center for Optimum Health, in Franklin, Tennessee, an internationally renowned center known for its innovative testing and the treatment of the worst cases from around the world for the last 25 years. The doctors of the Biologix Center have been working since 2016 to develop practical, clinical methods to cause phages that already reside within the body to strategically go after the worst bacteria strains in...

Identified in the 1980s, Borrelia burgdorferi and other Lyme disease-associated spirochetes have since been found throughout the world. Jorge Benach answers questions about Lyme Disease symptoms, his role in identifying the causative bacterium, and his current research on multispecies pathogens carried by hard-bodied ticks. Julie’s Biggest Takeaways Erythema migrans (the classic bullseye rash) is the most common manifestation that drives people to go see the doctor to be diagnosed with Lyme disease, but only about 40% of people diagnosed with Lyme disease experience erythema migrans. Lyme disease can progress to serious secondary manifestations. Why some patients experience these additional disease manifestations, but others do not,  is one of the heaviest areas of study in Lyme disease. Though Borreliadoesn’t have virulence factors that mediate tissue damage, it does avoid the immune system via antigenic variation. When the bacterium is first introduced into a new human host, that person’s immune system generates reactions to the outer membrane components. These bacterial components change over time, leaving the immune response lagging behind and unable to clear the infection. Ixodesticks are the vector for Lyme disease and there are 3 stages in the Ixodestick life: Larvae: the stage during which the tick is most likely to become infected by feeding on a rodent. Nymph: the stage most likely to infect a person (due to their small size, they are less likely to draw attention while feeding). Adult: the stage when the tick develops into a sexual adult; females are most likely to be infected but because female ticks are large, most people will detect and pull out a feeding adult. Ticks feed for 2-4 days; removing a tick in the first 48 hours of attachment decreases the chance for transmission to the patient. Long Island is seeing anecdotal increases of Ambliomaticks (the Lone Star tick), which can transmit the human pathogen Ehrlichia. These anecdotal increases were one of the motivations behind a recently published survey of ticks and the human pathogens they carry. Links for This Episode MTM Listener Survey, it only takes 3 minutes. Thanks! Jorge Benach website at Renaissance School of Medicine Stony Brook University Sanchez-Vicente S. et al. Polymicrobial Nature of Tick-Borne Diseases. mBio. September 10 2019. Monzón J.D. et al. Populaiton and Evolutionary Genomics of Amblyomma americanum, and Expanding Arthropod Disease Vector. Genome Biol Evol. May 2016. ASM Article: The Bulls-Eye Rash of Lyme Disease: Investigating the Cutaneous Host-Pathogen Dynamics of Erythema Migrans Patient Zero podcast HOM Tidbit: Barbour A.G. and Benach J.L. Discovery of the Lyme Disease Agent. mBio. September 17 2019.  

Scott's site: http://betterhealthguy.com TFIM: https://forumforintegrativemedicine.org LymeLight: http://lymelightfoundation.org Lyme Disease http://learntruehealth.com/lyme-disease-scott-forsgren So many people have Lyme disease. But because the symptoms are not initially apparent, it takes time, and a lot of testing before it gets diagnosed. My guest Scott Forsgren is no stranger to this disease, and he’ll tell us how he survived Lyme disease in this episode. Scott Forsgren is a health coach, podcaster, and health advocate who took years to recover from Lyme disease. He says Lyme disease can be a complex and challenging condition for people. And the more broadly that we cast the net, the more potential we have to optimize health and wellness. Early Signs Scott Forsgren shares that his journey started 22 years ago when he had a tick bite in Northern California in 1996. But he didn’t think anything of it at the time because Lyme disease wasn’t something anyone talked about back then. There was very little information available. “So, I did find for several months, around April 1997, that I had the flu on steroids. It was a tremendous sickness over several days. Those symptoms continued for several more months. And I wasn’t sure if I’d even survive that experience,” recalls Scott Forsgren. Every system of Scott Forsgren’s body was affected. He had vision problems, fevers, joint pain, muscle pain, lots of gastrointestinal problems, cognitive issues regarding brain fog, and memory loss. There were also episodes of numbness and tingling, tapping sensation in his left foot, tremors, internal vibration, muscle twitches. A lot of these conditions can also lead to anxiety and depression and obsessive-compulsive behavior. Finding A Cure From 1997 to 2005, Scott Forsgren saw about 45 different practitioners. The majority suggested that it was all psychological and that he should work with a psychologist or psychiatrist. Scott Forsgren did get a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. He even had a doctor who suggested multiple sclerosis. “I did work with a fantastic medical doctor in Arizona. There were a few years was good. Then in 2004 all of the symptoms came back,” said Scott Forsgren. “I do think Lyme is a worldwide problem. When someone has Lyme, there’s more than just Lyme disease that we need to look at to maximize the potential for our recovery.”  Starting Over Scott Forsgren went over to the American College for the Advancement of Medicine and looked for a new functional medicine doctor. He wanted someone that was Holistic and who would look broadly at all the potential issues. He was then referred to an acupuncturist who worked in an outlet mall that was doing computer-based energetic testing. Scott Forsgren recalls that the acupuncturist advised him to have a doctor to test him for borrelia or spirochaete. Furthermore, Scott Forsgren was also encouraged to see if there were some food that might be stressing his body. Turning Into A Believer Scott Forsgren was a skeptic, but when he got himself tested, everything the acupuncturist said was right. That piqued his interest in this realm of energy testing. Over the years, acupuncture became his number one tool to guide my journey back to wellness. “So, one of the important things is to keep an open mind. A lot of things that I would not have been open to 20 years ago when this whole journey started are the things that I ultimately now have found to be the most beneficial,” said Scott Forsgren.  After Scott Forsgren got officially diagnosed with Lyme disease, he also started learning from Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt. Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt has a system of energetic testing that Scott Forsgren learned over the years as well as utilized and benefited from. He also did work with Dr. Klinghardt as a patient. And according to Scott Forsgren, that was the best decision he ever made overall in his health journey. Autonomic Response Testing Autonomic Response Testing (APT) is a system of muscle testing. But Scott Forsgren says there is no perfect system. He says we use these systems to uncover information and get us closer to the truth.  It’s also a way to understand the things that are stressing the body that may need some support. Scott Forsgren believes some of us have less than optimal detoxification capacity to even end up with the condition that is related to Lyme disease and many others. But they may not manifest symptoms at all. “I do think that one’s detoxification capacity plays a significant role concerning symptoms that we develop. Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt either suspects or believes that probably everyone has been exposed to some Lyme related organisms at some point during their lifetime,” Scott Forsgren said.  He adds,” I think genes do not tell the entire story, but I think epigenetics does. It influences our genetic expression. We change how our genes express through stress management, nutrition, detoxification and joy in our life.” Scott Forsgren also reveals that most people who are dealing with Lyme disease very type A+ personalities and perfectionists. So, he thinks there are aspects of certain characters that are always in that sympathetic dominant mode. Key Things To Regain Balance First is removing the impact of negative emotions, thought patterns, emotional traumas, and conflicts. Scott Forsgren also advises looking at your environment. Do mold or biotoxin exposures surround you daily? Because that’s one of the critical causes of harmful exposures. Scott Forsgren also advises to look at nutrition and gut health as well as explore detoxification. He says we need to create an environment that is supportive of our healing. “Look for parasites and other microbial overgrowths whether it’s Lyme, co-infections or fungal issues like yeast. Viruses can play a big role as well,” said Scott Forsgren. “Also explore dental contributors like amalgam fillings, root canals or cavities. Rewire the limbic system which is part of the brain that includes the hypothalamus.” Limbic System The limbic system is called the feeling and reacting brain. Scott Forsgren says it is involved in determining our level of safety regarding the things that we might encounter, smell, see, hear and taste. Scott Forsgren explains that you can think of it as the alarm center and anxiety switch. It influences the functioning of our immune system, hormonal system, endocrine system, autonomic nervous system. Ultimately, it is involved in blood pressure, heart rate, breathing and digesting. Any of these things can trigger a limbic system impairment. “If someone doesn’t resonate with having had emotional trauma or conflict that set the stage for their condition, it creates a trauma which we need to process in some way,” said Scott Forsgren. Using Saunas Saunas are good, but Scott Forsgren says some people may not entirely be ready for it. We can mobilize some toxins internally as well. So we have to make sure the routes of elimination are open. “When you use a sauna, you do sweat things out, but at the same time, you can mobilize some toxins internally. A sauna is a good tool, but you need to listen to your body and not force something that maybe they’re not quite ready for,” said Scott Forsgren. “Detoxification is a life-long focus. I do it every day.”  He adds, “When we’re recovering from a chronic condition like Lyme disease or mold exposure, detoxification is critical. Microbes like candida and parasites may be present in the body because the body is utilizing them or allowing them to be there to concentrate heavy metals, to help us detoxify. So not all of these organisms are necessarily bad or that we need to get rid of.”  Testing For Molds If someone is not recovering from chronic Lyme disease despite doing all the right things, Scott Forsgren advises that they have to explore the mold piece. He urges everyone who is suffering from Lyme disease, making sure that your environment is safe from a mold perspective and an EMF perspective. Because bottom line, you want to create a sanctuary for recovery. “About 25% of the population has a genetic predisposition to illness from water-damaged buildings. And similar to Lyme disease, there is no perfect test for molds, so it’s critical for people to explore,” said Scott Forsgren.  Starting with your home, Scott Forsgren says any place where you spend time on a regular basis should be suspect until you explored it. And then if an issue is identified, you may be able to do some remedies like moving to a new environment. Putting in some good air filtration device in the environment is also very helpful. It’s not a solution to a problem, but it’s something that can fix the situation while you are addressing the core issue. ISEAI International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness (ISEAI) is an organization that has come together reasonably recently with doctors that deal with biotoxin illnesses. Some environmental professionals are part of this organization as well. According to Scott Forsgren, the organization is an excellent resource if you dive deeper into learning the cause of illnesses. The ISEAI website states that it is a nonprofit professional medical society whose aim is to raise awareness of the environmental causes of inflammatory illnesses.  They also support the recovery of people affected by these illnesses using an integration of clinical practice, education, and research. Better Health Guy Website The website started in 2005 before Scott Forsgren had the Lyme disease diagnosis. Three months after the site launched, Lyme disease became the focus of the site. “The most interesting area for people to check out is the podcast where I interview experts as well as articles he has written over the years. Part of what’s on the blog are notes from different conferences that I have attended over the past ten plus years,” said Scott Forsgren. LymeLight Foundation Another organization that Scott Forsgren wanted to highlight was the LymeLight Foundation. The LymeLight Foundation is an organization that provides treatment grants to children and young adults 25 and under for Lyme disease treatments. “I think it’s critical for people to maintain hope. There are so many things that have improved in our understanding of Lyme disease and chronic conditions over the last several years,” said Scott Forsgren. He adds, “Lyme disease is a messenger for many of us. And the process of going through it is life changing. While it is the biggest challenge that many will ever face, something beautiful often happens as a result of the experience.”  Bio Scott Forsgren, FDN-P is a health coach, blogger, podcaster, health writer, and advocate. He is the editor and founder of BetterHealthGuy.com, where he shares his 21-year journey through the world of Lyme disease, mold illness, and the myriad of factors that chronic illness often entails. Scott Forsgren’s podcast “BetterHealthGuy Blogcast” interviews many of the leaders in the field and is available on his website, BetterHealthGuy.com, and on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, and Spotify. He has been interviewed on numerous podcasts and has lectured on his recovery from chronic illness as an invited speaker of the Klinghardt Academy, at AutismOne, and on three Chronic Lyme Disease Summits.  Scott Forsgren has written for the Townsend Letter and other publications. He is the co-founder of The Forum for Integrative Medicine which hosts an annual conference bringing together some of the top integrative practitioners to share practical tools for treating complex, chronic illness.  He serves on the Board of Directors of LymeLight Foundation which provides treatment grants to children and young adults recovering from Lyme disease. Today, Scott Forsgren is grateful for his current state of health and all that he has learned on this life-changing journey. 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The Best of Lyme Ninja Radio Scott’s journey to becoming the 'better health guy’ began in 1997 when he became violently ill. He says on his website "Overnight, my body was ravaged by an unknown illness.” After many months of baffling doctors, he was diagnosed with parasitic infections, Candida, leaky gut syndrome and severe food allergies. Recovering took two years of working constantly with his doctor and by 2000 his symptoms were gone Everything seemed to be going well for him until 2004 when he regained his original symptoms as well as severe burning sensations in his limbs and muscle twitches throughout his body. Going to yet another doctor, who put him on the same course of treatment that had helped him previously. It had cyclical effects, after the treatment ended, his symptoms reappeared. In 2005, he found a treatment to help with his severe food allergies, and the practitioner recommended he get tested for Lyme disease. His Western Blot tested positive for Lyme Disease and shortly thereafter he went to a Lyme literate doctor and tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella, Babesia, and Ehrlichia. As of now he is mostly healed, and he runs “the better health guy” blog where he writes about his journey recovering from chronic illness, new research on lyme disease, and alternative health practices.

Scott’s journey to becoming the 'better health guy’ began in 1997 when he became violently ill. He says on his website "Overnight, my body was ravaged by an unknown illness.” After many months of baffling doctors, he was diagnosed with parasitic infections, Candida, leaky gut syndrome and severe food allergies. Recovering took two years of working constantly with his doctor and by 2000 his symptoms were gone Everything seemed to be going well for him until 2004 when he regained his original symptoms as well as severe burning sensations in his limbs and muscle twitches throughout his body. Going to yet another doctor, who put him on the same course of treatment that had helped him previously. It had cyclical effects, after the treatment ended, his symptoms reappeared. In 2005, he found a treatment to help with his severe food allergies, and the practitioner recommended he get tested for Lyme disease. His Western Blot tested positive for Lyme Disease and shortly thereafter he went to a Lyme literate doctor and tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella, Babesia, and Ehrlichia. As of now he is mostly healed, and he runs “the better health guy” blog where he writes about his journey recovering from chronic illness, new research on lyme disease, and alternative health practices.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum (Ap) is a gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterium that is able to infect different animal species and humans worldwide. Based on DNA sequencing, Ap has newly been reallocated from the genus Ehrlichia to the genus Anaplasma in the family Anaplasmataceae (DUMLER et al. 2001). In humans and animals, the clinical signs of Ap infection vary from mild symptoms to severe clinical outcomes, including death. However, the disease generally presents as undifferentiated fever accompanied by leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and increased serum transaminase activities (DUMLER et al. 2005; DUMLER et al. 2007; RIKIHISA 2011). Hard-bodied ticks of the genus Ixodes (family Ixodidae) are the main vectors for Ap dissemination. Compared to other pathogens such as Neorickettsia and Wolbachia spp., which can be transmitted from adult ticks to their offspring, Anaplasma and Ehrlichia spp. are the only Rickettsiales that are not transmitted transovarially (RIKIHISA 2011). Thus, ticks need to acquire Ap through blood feeding from infected hosts to complete the life cycle of Ap. During attachment of the tick, the bacterium is released by salivary secretion and is transmitted to the host. It is known that Ap multiplies within membrane-bound vacuoles (or called ‘morulae’) in the cytoplasm of peripheral granulocytes. The binding and infection of bacteria depends on the tetrasaccharide sialyl Lewisx (sLex or CD15s) of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) on the surface of host cells, a factor expressed on peripheral granulocytes and HL-60 cells (GOODMAN et al. 1999; HERRON et al. 2000; RENEER et al. 2006; RENEER et al. 2008). Only little information is known about the transmission pathway of Ap after tick bite in the very early stage of infection. It is described that Ap is able to evade and replicate within microvascular endothelial cells in vitro (MUNDERLOH et al. 2004), while endothelial cells lining the inner lumen of blood vessels allow them to easily interact with any circulating blood cells. Since granulocytes do not return back to the blood stream after extravasation, it is reasonable to postulate that Ap evades and replicates within microvascular endothelial cells in the initial transmission, and subsequently transmits into peripheral granulocytes for ongoing dissemination. Therefore, the objective of the study was to establish a flow culture model that mimics the physiological environment in the blood vessel to study the possible transmission pathway of Ap between endothelial cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). For this purpose, a novel ex vivo flow culture system was established. For experimental setup, human microvascular endothelial cell line (HMEC-1) and primary human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) were used. Under static conditions, Ap evades endothelial cells within 24 h, supporting the hypotheses that endothelial cells might be the first infection site of the pathogen in the host. Thereby a high level of interleukin-8, a chemokine that is known to recruit PMNs, secreted by Ap-infected endothelial cells was detected. Using the investigated flow culture model, it was shown for the first time, that Ap is able to translocate from endothelial cells to PMNs under dynamic flow conditions. Furthermore, under defined shear stress, an increased binding of PMNs to Ap-infected endothelial cells monolayer was observed, resulting from the elevated expression of adhesion molecules associated with PMNs recruitment on endothelial cells. The flow culture model investigated in this study can be used to study the interaction between Ap-infected endothelial cells and PMNs under physiological flow conditions, and is therefore helpful to study the infection mechanism in the early stage of Ap dissemination in the host.

Susan Daffron talks to Cindy Hewitt from Miami-Dade Animal Services. about a three-year old white bulldog named Fred who is available for adoption. Miami-Dade is an open-admission shelter that receives 30,000 animals every year. Fred was a stray who unfortunately had a lot of ticks when he was brought in. Although he's tick-free now and looking much better, Fred did test positive for a tick-borne disease called Ehrlichia, which is sadly fairly common in the area. Fortunately, it is extremely treatable with antibiotics and (sometimes) corticosteriods. Fred does not seem to have an advanced case of the illness and Cindy expects him to make a full recovery. Personality-wise Fred is a bit reserved. He's not boisterous and walks beautifully on a leash. Instead of pulling, he is a gentleman who walks along with you nicely, simply taking in the surroundings and observing what's going on. Like many dogs at shelters, he's just waiting for the right person to come along and see his potential. That lucky person will be rewarded with a wonderful companion for years to come. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Fred - This Southern Gentleman will Charm You on PetLifeRadio.com

Background: Ehrlichia species are the etiological agents of emerging and life-threatening tick-borne human zoonoses that inflict serious and fatal infections in companion animals and livestock. The aim of this paper was to phylogeneticaly characterise a new species of Ehrlichia isolated from Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Methods: The agent was isolated from the hemolymph of Rhipicephalus (B.) microplus engorged females that had been collected from naturally infested cattle in a farm in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. This agent was then established and cultured in IDE8 tick cells. The molecular and phylogenetic analysis was based on 16S rRNA, groEL, dsb, gltA and gp36 genes. We used the maximum likelihood method to construct the phylogenetic trees. Results: The phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA, groEL, dsb and gltA showed that the Ehrlichia spp isolated in this study falls in a clade separated from any previously reported Ehrlichia spp. The molecular analysis of the ortholog of gp36, the major immunoreactive glycoproteins in E. canis and ortholog of the E. chaffeensis gp47, showed a unique tandem repeat of 9 amino acids (VPAASGDAQ) when compared with those reported for E. canis, E. chaffeensis and the related mucin-like protein in E. ruminantium. Conclusions: Based on the molecular and phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA, groEL, dsb and gltA genes we concluded that this tick-derived microorganism isolated in Brazil is a new species, named E. mineirensis (UFMG-EV), with predicted novel antigenic properties in the gp36 ortholog glycoprotein. Further studies on this new Ehrlichia spp should address questions about its transmissibility by ticks and its pathogenicity for mammalian hosts.

In recent years, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia spp. have been detected in Ixodes ricinus in Germany and a focal distribution has been suggested for A. phagocytophilum. In the present study the prevalence of A. phagocytophilum and spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae was investigated in I. ricinus. DNA-extracts were taken from 2,862 unfed I. ricinus ticks (adults and nymphs) from eight sites in Munich, sampled over a five-month period. Single samples from three comparative sites outside of Munich were also included. A real-time PCR targeting the msp2 gene of A. phagocytophilum was used for screening and a nested PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene for sequencing of 30% of positives. Screening for Rickettsia spp. was performed with a PCR targeting the citrate synthase gene (gltA), followed by PCRs detecting the ompA gene for all gltA positives, and the ompB and 16S rRNA genes for clarifying results of some samples. The overall prevalence was 2.90% (95% CI 2.27 to 3.48%) for A. phagocytophilum and 5.28% (95% CI 4.31 to 6.17%) for SFG rickettsiae. Only 0.31% of the ticks investigated were coinfected. Statistical analysis revealed that prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in ticks from city parks in Munich was significantly higher than in ticks from natural forest, whereas the prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was the opposite. For both, the prevalence in adults was significantly higher than in nymphs. Although wide ranges of prevalence were observed monthly, the variations were not significant along the observational period. Sequence analysis of 16S rRNA PCR products (n=31) revealed 100% homology to Ehrlichia sp. “Frankonia 2”, only one differed in one nucleotide position. All differed in one nucleotide position from the HGA agent detected in human patients. All rickettsial PCR products were also sequenced. All gltA sequences of R. helvetica (n=138) were 100% identical to each other and differed in one nucleotide position from the prototype sequence. Two different R. monacensis strains (n=13) were detected, which differed in up to 4 nucleotide positions in gltA, ompA and ompB. Further rickettsial strains (n=3) most probably belonging to rickettsial endosymbionts were also found. These results show, by molecular methods, a wide distribution of A. phagocytophilum and SFG rickettsiae in I. ricinus ticks in Southern Germany. SFG rickettsiae which are thought to be involved in human disease (R. helvetica and R. monacensis) had a significantly higher prevalence in natural forest areas. Prevalence of A. phagocytophilum was significantly higher in city parks; the genetic strain has not yet been associated with human infection.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden Real-time PCR-basierte Nachweisverfahren für E. canis und A. phagocytophilum entwickelt, validiert und im Anschluss für die Untersuchung von Patientenproben eingesetzt. Für E. canis wurden für zwei Tests Primer und Sonden des Typs „Molecular Beacon“ konstruiert, die auf unterschiedliche Zielgene gerichtet waren, die Reaktionsbedingungen optimiert und die Leistungsfähigkeit beider Tests verglichen. Die PCR EC-16S hatte hierbei die 16S rDNA als Zielgen, während die PCR ECP-p30 auf das p30-10-Gen von E. canis gerichtet war. Bei der Ermittlung der analytischen Sensitivität und analytischen Spezifität ergab sich, dass beide Tests in ihren Leistungen sehr ähnlich waren. Beide PCRs waren spezifisch und lieferten nur für DNA von E. canis ein positives Ergebnis, während die übrigen getesteten Erreger A. platys, N. risticii, A. phagocytophilum, Babesia canis, B. gibsoni und H. canis in der PCR negativ reagierten. Da die PCR ECP-p30 bei der Sensitivitätsprüfung geringfügig besser beurteilt wurde, wurde entschieden, die weiteren Untersuchungen mit diesem PCR-Protokoll durchzuführen. Zur Bestimmung der diagnostischen Sensitivität und Spezifität dieses Tests wurde eine extern kontrollierte Validierung mit geblindeten Proben durchgeführt. Hierbei ergab sich eine diagnostische Spezifität von 100 %. Die diagnostische Sensitivität der Real-time PCR betrug 82 %. Der prädiktive Wert des positiven Testergebnisses lag für die PCR ECP-p30 bei 100 %, während der prädiktive Wert des negativen Testergebnisses 87,5 % erreichte Als Nachweisgrenze wurden 14,5 Moleküle des Zielgens pro 50 µl Ansatz ermittelt. Im Anschluss wurde die Eignung des Tests an Blutproben von Hunden aus einem für E. canis endemischen Gebiet untersucht. Dabei wurden 244 Blutproben einbezogen und die Ergebnisse der PCR mit denen eines IFATs verglichen. Die Blutproben stammten aus Kampanien, Italien und wurden dort durch Tierärzte von Hunden gewonnen, die in einer Tierarztpraxis mit angeschlossenem Tierheim vorgestellt wurden. Die Tiere waren drei Gruppen zuzuordnen: Ein Teil der Hunde, und zwar 19 Tiere, wurde von privaten Besitzern in der Praxis vorgestellt, 52 Tiere waren unmittelbar zuvor von der Strasse aufgelesen worden und die dritte Gruppe, die 173 Hunde umfasste, hielt sich zum Zeitpunkt der Probennahme schon längere Zeit im Tierheim auf. Innerhalb des Tierheims wird ein hoher diagnostischer und medikamenteller Aufwand zur Erkennung und Bekämpfung von E. canis mittels antibiotischer Therapie und Zecken¬prophylaxe betrieben. In die Untersuchung einbezogen wurden jedoch nur Hunde, die mindestens drei Monate lang nicht mehr mit einem gegen E. canis wirksamen Medikament behandelt worden waren. Bei der serologischen Untersuchung der Hunde mittels IFAT ergab sich ein Anteil seropositiver Tiere von insgesamt 41,8 %, der auch bei Betrachtung der drei verschiedenen Gruppen nur wenig variierte. So betrug der Anteil seropositiver Tiere innerhalb der Gruppe der Hunde aus dem Tierheim 43,4 %, während 40,4 % der Straßenhunde und 31,6 % der Tiere in privatem Besitz seropositiv waren. Diese Unterschiede waren nicht signifikant. Ein direkter Erregernachweis mittels Real-time PCR erfolgte bei 13,9 % der untersuchten Tiere. Beim Vergleich der Untersuchungsergebnisse von PCR und IFAT wurde eine Überein¬stimmung bei 61,9 % der untersuchten Proben ermittelt. Bei Betrachtung der einzelnen Hundegruppen lag der Anteil der in der PCR positiven Tiere bei den Straßenhunden mit 23,1 % ungefähr doppelt so hoch wie bei den Tieren in Privatbesitz (10,5 %) oder den Tierheim¬hunden im Tierheim (11,6 %). Der Unterschied zwischen den Straßenhunden und den Tierheimhunden war somit signifikant. Diese Ergebnisse weisen auf ein häufiges Vorkommen von E. canis im Untersuchungsgebiet hin und stützen die Auffassung, dass eine Erreger¬elimination mittels Antibiotikatherapie nur schwer zu erreichen ist. Für A. phagocytophilum wurde in der vorliegenden Studie ebenfalls eine Real-time PCR entwickelt und das Testverfahren unter Einbeziehung zweier bereits publizierter Real-time PCR-Protokolle und zwar von Pusterla et al. (1999a) und von Courtney et al. (2004), validiert. Bei der Entwicklung der Real-time PCR für A. phagocytophilum wurde als Zielgen die 16S rDNA herangezogen, da nur hierfür vergleichbare Sequenzen nahe verwandter Ehrlichienspezies verfügbar waren. Alle drei vorliegenden Testverfahren wurden auf ihre analytische Spezifität und ihre analytische Sensitivität überprüft und zusätzlich im Rahmen einer extern kontrollierten Validierung mittels geblindeter Proben verglichen. Hierbei zeigte sich, dass nur die PCR nach Courtney et al (2004), hier als PCR AP-MSP2 bezeichnet, eine sehr gute Spezifität für A. phagocytophilum besaß. Die anderen Tests lieferten auch für N. risticii und A. platys positive Ergebnisse. Die analytische Sensitivität war bei diesem Test ebenfalls um mindestens eine Zehnerpotenz höher als bei den anderen beiden PCRs. Im Rahmen der Validierung wurde für die PCR AP-MSP2 eine diagnostische Spezifität von 96 % ermittelt, während die im Rahmen dieser Studie entwickelte PCR AP-16S eine Spezifität von 64 % und die PCR nach Pusterla et al. (1999a) einen Wert von 36 % erreichten. Der prädiktive Wert des positiven Testergebnisses betrug für die drei PCRs somit 96 %, 74 % bzw. 61 %. Für die Untersuchung von Patientenproben auf Befall mit A. phagocytophilum wurde deshalb die PCR AP-MSP2 ausgewählt. In die Studie wurden Hunde aus Deutschland einbezogen, und zwar sowohl 72 Blutproben, die eigens für diese Studie auf Anforderung von Tierärzten eingesandt worden waren, als auch 133 Proben, die aus verschiedensten Gründen in das Routinelabor des Institutes eingesandt worden waren. Die 72 eigens für die Studie gewonnenen Proben wurden mittels Buffy-coat-Ausstrich, PCR und IFAT auf A. phagocytophilum untersucht. Lichtmikroskopisch konnten in keinem Fall Einschluss¬körperchen des Erregers in den Granulozyten nachgewiesen werden. Mittels PCR wurde jedoch bei einem Hund (1,4 %) der Nachweis von A. phagocytophilum erbracht. Im IFAT konnten bei 16,7 % der 72 untersuchten Hundeseren spezifische Antikörper gegen den Erreger nachgewiesen werden. Eine Übereinstimmung der Ergebnisse von PCR und Buffy-coat-Ausstrichen lag bei 98,6 % der Proben vor. Beim Vergleich der Ergebnisse der Buffy-coat-Ausstriche mit den Ergebnissen des IFAT wurde eine prozentuale Übereinstimmung von 65,3 % errechnet. Identische Ergebnisse bei PCR und IFAT wurden bei 66,7 % der untersuchten Hunde erzielt. Die 133 Proben, die zufällig aus allen Einsendungen in das Routinelabor des Instituts für vergleichende Tropenmedizin und Parasitologie ausgewählt worden waren, wurden mittels PCR und IFAT untersucht, wobei zwei Tiere (1,5 %) in der PCR und 34,6 % im IFAT ein positives Ergebnis lieferten. Die Identität des PCR-Produktes eines der positiven Tiere wurde durch Klonierung und anschließende Sequenzierung bestätigt. Eine Übereinstimmung der Testergebnisse von IFAT und PCR bestand bei 52,6 % der untersuchten Proben. Diese Ergebnisse stützen die Auffassung, dass Hunde in Deutschland häufig mit A. phagocytophilum in Kontakt kommen, dass es sich dabei aber meist um eine selbstlimitierende, klinisch inapparente Infektion handelt.

Relevant species of the canine parasite fauna in European Mediterranean countries and Portugal for dogs in Germany concerning epidemiology and travel veterinary medicine – a literature review The parasite fauna of the dog in European countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea and in Portugal more or less corresponds with the spectrum of canine parasites in Germany, but is also characterised by species, which are not indigenous here or which occur only regionally or rarely such as Leishmania, piroplasms, Hepatozoon canis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. and filarial worms, which are of concern not only in regards to the increasing tourism with dogs but also from an epidemiological viewpoint. Accordingly, the geographical distribution of the respective parasites in the Mediterranean basin is illustrated in this overview with special emphasis on regional infection/infestation risks. Furthermore, for those parasites which are not present in Germany, the risk of establishing endemic foci is discussed, as for Ehrlichia canis and with special regard to the scientific literature concerning cases of imported parasites.