Tick Talk: August 2024
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Neurological Effects of Lyme
Deer ticks and western black-legged ticks are just the size of a sesame seed. Yet, these tiny pests have the power to wreak havoc on the physical and psychological health of humans they infect with Lyme disease. Bryant University's?Joseph Trunzo, Ph.D., and author of Living Beyond Lyme and practicing clinical psychologist explains, “If the tick’s bacteria finds its way into the nervous system, it can invade neurons and cause significant cellular dysfunction.”
The psychological symptoms of Lyme disease may include depression, anxiety, cognitive difficulties and in severe cases, psychosis. Patterns can help determine if symptoms are biologically driven by Lyme, or if the symptoms are a psychological reaction to being sick. For example, a person with Lyme may become depressed or anxious about not being able to do things they used to, or the unknown factor of how long their symptoms will persist. “On the other hand, Lyme-driven anxiety is like having the gas on the floor and it doesn't stop; it tends to be much more persistent. Psychological symptoms that are biologically driven tend to be more resistant to normal treatment intervention,” says Trunzo. Family and friends can support a loved one with Lyme by being aware of the psychological changes they are undergoing, and understanding that they may witness disturbing behavioral changes. They can also encourage their loved one to stick to their treatment routines.
The CDC estimates that approximately 476,000 people are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease in the United States annually. Lyme disease has been documented in all 50 states, as the tick population increases due to milder winters and warming climates. In order to prevent getting Lyme disease, stay vigilant for ticks, especially if you live in the Northeast, from Virginia to Maine, where ticks are common. Avoid walking through tall grass and leaf litter, wear clothing treated with tick-repellent, and do a thorough tick check after spending time outdoors. Early symptoms such as a bull's-eye rash, extreme tiredness, and joint stiffness should be acted on as soon as possible, the earlier the treatment, the more successful and less complicated the disease course is.
Alpha-Gal Misconceptions
Did you know that the reason some people develop alpha-gal allergy is linked to our evolutionary history? The sugar molecule alpha-gal is found in most mammals, but humans and great apes have evolved without it. As a result, some people develop a sensitivity to alpha-gal and their immune systems produce specific antibodies in response. When the antibody level becomes excessive, an allergic reaction can be triggered.
Scientists know that tick saliva containing alpha-gal causes the allergy, but there is a common misconception that only ticks that have bitten a mammal first can provoke alpha-gal syndrome in humans. This is not true, as ticks produce the alpha-gal sugar molecule in their saliva, possibly a chemical disguise from the animals they feed on. This means that larval tick bites can also cause alpha-gal syndrome.
Symptoms of an alpha-gal allergy range from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to life-threatening anaphylaxis 2-6 hours after ingesting red?meat?or another product containing alpha-gal. Diagnosis for an alpha-gal allergy can be difficult?due to delayed onset of symptoms. Preventing tick bites is your best defense, because alpha-gal syndrome can be transmitted within just a few hours of tick attachment. If a person suspects they have alpha-gal allergy, they should consult a medical professional for testing.
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Lyme Prevention Pill
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, has developed a pill designed to prevent Lyme disease, called TP-05. The pill works by killing ticks when they latch onto human skin and preventing the transmission of Lyme disease. It contains lotilaner, an anti-parasitic compound also used in medications for dogs and an ophthalmic solution for eyelid diseases caused by mites. The pill could be taken the day before or hours before potential exposure to ticks, with protection lasting up to one month.
Tarsus conducted two small studies, one of which showed promising results, with high tick mortality rates among volunteers who took TP-05 compared to those who took a placebo. The medication was "generally well tolerated" but more data is needed to fully understand its potential and side effects. The pill is still undergoing testing and has not yet been approved by the U.S. FDA, but has the potential to be a groundbreaking preventive measure against Lyme disease. Pfizer and Valneva are also developing a new vaccine targeting the outer surface protein A (OspA) of Borrelia bacteria. In addition, the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s MassBiologics is working on a human monoclonal antibody treatment that would kill the bacteria in a tick’s gut before transmission to humans. Until these options are available, the best prevention is to avoid tick exposure.
Where You Can Find Ticks
Different ticks prefer different climates, so you will find different species depending on where you live. However, all species of ticks generally prefer the same habitats. Most ticks spend most of their life close to or on the ground because potential hosts such as birds, rodents and deer are within easy reach. They also prefer shady, moist areas. More specifically, they prefer wooded and grassy areas including shrub-lands, meadows, forests, trails, gardens, and around homes.
However, it is not just homes built in “wild spaces” and surrounded by vegetation that they prefer. There may also be parking lots, ball parks, retail centers, and roads covered with vegetation that provide excellent hiding places for ticks.?The brown dog tick is a species that will live in urban, beach, and coastal type areas.
Lyme Disease Research Funding
Last week, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2025 Department of Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill. The Committee approved an increase of $25 million for Lyme and tick-borne disease research setting a minimum spend of $125M in 2025. Here’s the summary of the Committee approved funding:
In addition to the boost in funding, we can look forward to the CDC reviewing its website content on tick-borne disease, creating reports on alpha-gal and the maternal fetal transmission of Lyme, developing diagnostic tests, and focusing on workers at high risk for tick-borne diseases. The National Institute of Health will also provide a report about plans to address pediatric Lyme.
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