Galaxy Radar – Week of July 15, 2024

More on the Bartonella and Babesia Publication from NCSU

Bartonella and Babesia Co-Infection Detected in Patients with Chronic Illness by T Peake on NC State News – North Carolina State University has published a discussion with Dr. Breitschwerdt, Galaxy Diagnostics Cofounder and Chief Scientific Officer, about a case series of Babesia odocoilei published from his lab at NCSU. Six of the seven cases were also positive for Bartonella species infections.

In this discussion, Dr. Breitschwerdt discusses the significance of the cases, including their geographic diversity and lack of common symptoms of babesiosis.

The article also notes funding sources including NC State’s Bartonella/Vector-Borne Diseases Research Fund. Many of the people reading this have raised money for this fund to support research on tick-borne disease.

Late Diagnosis of Lyme Disease and a Tragic End

Could Tragic Case Be Linked to Chronic Infection from Lyme Bacteria? by L Tate on the Tulane News Releases webpage – This case study, led by Dr. Monica Embers, describes a man who had worsening symptoms of undiagnosed Lyme disease and began using psychoactive substances. While in PCP withdrawal, he killed one person, injured others, and ended his own life. An autopsy found neuroinflammation that could have disrupted neurotransmitters in his brain.

Find out more about direct detection of with the Lyme Borrelia Nanotrap Antigen Test.

Children with Nonspecific Bartonellosis Symptoms

Atypical Clinical and Sonographic Manifestations of Lymphadenopathy in a Child with Cat-Scratch Disease: A Case Report by L Bruni et al. publishing from Italy – A child had a swollen axillary lymph node and a rash, and her family reported some recent bug bites. She was tested for Bartonella serology at this point but it was only slightly elevated. Her strep antibodies were higher, so she was treated for that. When she didn’t improve, sonography and a follow-up MRI were more suggestive of Bartonella infection. A repeat serology was now positive, and the family recalled that she had been scratched by a cat six months earlier.

Vague Presentation of Cat Scratch Disease in a Child by A. Crowley, B Desai & S Waldron publishing from the Ochsner Clinic Foundation and Ochsner Clinical School – A child had what seemed to be a bug bite on her finger, a cough and a fever. Soon she had a swollen elbow and then inflamed lymph nodes that developed necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis. She had a Bartonella henselae infection.

Review our testing menu for the variety of Bartonella spp. tests available at Galaxy Diagnostics.

Fungal Coinfection of Bartonella spp.

Parinaud’s Oculoglandular Syndrome: Coinfection by Bartonella henselae and Sporothrix brasiliensis by NN Suzuki et al. publishing from UNICAMP Medical School – A woman developed an eyelid lesion and swollen lymph nodes after a cat scratch. Oddly, the cat had a similar lesion. The woman was treated for Bartonella species infection, but she did not improve. Biopsy revealed Sporothrix schenckii, a common soil fungus. The authors report they believe sporotrichosis and other fungal infections may be under-investigated as Bartonella species co-infections.

Neurological Manifestations of Ehrlichiosis

Neurological Manifestations of Ehrlichiosis Among a Cohort of Patients: Prevalence and Clinical Symptoms by O Iyamu et al. publishing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Illinois – Neurological symptoms may be present with ehrlichiosis, but this study found they don’t form an easily identifiable pattern.

Tick Tracking

Tickborne Diseases, a webpage by the Pennsylvania Department of Health – Pennsylvania has created an online dashboard with data and information about tick-borne diseases. Data presentations include cases by county, by month and by year.

The Aggressive Tick That Triggers Meat Allergy: What to Know in VA by D Belt on Patch – The lone star tick carries a variety of pathogens. It is also associated with alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to red meat that can extend to additional allergies such as to milk products.

Using One Health Concepts

Discovery of a Novel Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia, “Candidatus Rickettsia kedanie,” in Unfed Larval Chigger Mites, Leptotrombidium scutellare by M Ogawa et al. publishing from the National Institute of Infectious Diseases and other institutes in Japan – A new spotted fever group Rickettsia has been found in chiggers in a small geographic region of Japan. Further One Health research is needed on this pathogen, as well as on other niche pathogens around the world that may not yet be identified, to understand their infectious disease risk.

A One Health Framework for Exploring Zoonotic Interactions Demonstrated Through a Case Study by A Desvars-Larrive et al. publishing from the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna and Complexity Science Hub – A study of zoonotic outbreaks in Austria since 1975 revealed a “zoonotic web” of meeting points between humans and animals where One Health interventions could be applied.

Furthering Research on Chronic Disease and the 2-Day Exercise Test

Cardiopulmonary and Metabolic Responses During a 2-Day CPET in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Translating Reduced Oxygen Consumption to Impairment Status to Treatment Considerations by B. Keller et al. publishing from Ithaca College and other institutions in New York, California and Canada – In small studies, people with ME / CFS have performed worse on day two of a 2-day exercise test. This medium-sized study helped identify metabolic dysfunction of ME/CFS and possible treatment.

Galaxy Diagnostics Calendar

The Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative Symposium on July 27, 2024 – Edward Breitschwerdt, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), will be presenting with Janice Bush, CVM, on “Bartonella henselae, Neurobartonellosis and Alzheimer’s Disease: Is there a link?”

Project Lyme Gala on September 24, 2024 – Meet Galaxy Diagnostics CEO Nicole Bell and Cofounder Amanda Elam at the event.

ILADS Annual Scientific Conference, November 7-10, 2024 – Galaxy Diagnostics speakers will include CEO Nicole Bell. Find us in the exhibitor hall.