In the United States as testing problems mounted for the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19), tick-borne disease patients recognized something they have experienced. Physicians rely on clinical symptoms as well as diagnostic testing to make treatment decisions. The more accurate a test is for a specific disease then the more certain a […]
Why does so much money go toward counting mice?
Individuals eager to see funding for better treatments for tick-borne disease can be frustrated to see research dollars going toward studies counting mice. Why do public health research funds go to studying wild mice? Mice and other mammals are a crucial part of disease transmission that involves fleas and ticks. A common misconception is that […]
Why Does Sample Temperature Affect Test Validity?
Our staff is often asked, “Why is a frozen icepack necessary for sample shipments?” The short answer is that test results are less reliable when samples experience temperature fluctuations in transit. Here’s the long answer… Galaxy Diagnostics currently offers two types of diagnostic testing for flea- and tick-borne pathogens: molecular and serology. Molecular assays, such […]
Zoonotic Diseases and Why We Are So Interested in Bats
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 75% of new human diseases discovered in the last decade are caused by zoonotic pathogens. The bat is a host that is uniquely perfect to evolve pathogens that are dangerous to people. One Health is an outlook that brings animal health, human health and environmental experts together to […]
Is Exposure to Fleas and Ticks Possible During The Winter?
Research shows that the tick species I. scapularis can remain active at temperatures as low as 30.9 degrees Fahrenheit. In moderate winters, the fact is that flea and tick prevention is a year-round need in most of the world. In general, however, exposure is extremely limited when temperatures are consistently below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure […]
Kidneys and Bartonellosis
The CDC estimates that 15% of US adults are affected by chronic kidney disease, with about 90% being unaware of their reduced kidney function. This is partially because the exact cause or trigger of kidney disease is often unknown. It could be a result of high blood pressure, autoimmune conditions, genetic susceptibility, infections, or other […]