Galaxy Radar – Week of August 19, 2024

HEADLINES: Infection and Brain Harm * How Many Neuroborrelioisis Patients Try Repeat Doxycycline? * Natural Antibiotic Resistance in Rickettsia and Bartonella * Remembering Pat Smith * More

Infection and Brain Harm

Bartonella on the Brain? By J Allerton in The Pathologist – Galaxy Diagnostics Cofounder and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt discusses his research on Bartonella and psychosis and the challenges of researching zoonotic infections.

Proteomics Identifies Potential Immunological Drivers of Postinfection Brain Atrophy and Cognitive Decline by MR Duggan et al. publishing from the US, Finland and the UK – A study of proteins (proteomics) associated with brain decline after infections has found a set of proteins related to decline that may confirm the connection between infection and brain atrophy. A question in brain harm has been whether the pathogen itself needs to reach the brain to cause harm. The answer is that how pathogens lead to brain harm may be less direct than that. While this is a complication, the study also identifies a simplification: many pathogens are creating the same harmful proteins.

Is it Alzheimer’s disease? Last week we provided a link to a proposed criteria for another cause of dementia.

Associations of Hospital-Treated Infections with Subsequent Dementia: Nationwide 30-Year Analysis by LS Richmond-Rakerd et al. publishing from the US, New Zealand, the UK and Norway – People in New Zealand who received treatment at hospitals for infections for 30 years had almost three times the risk of dementia compared to people without this medical history, and the risk remained elevated at 30 years out.

Bartonella Digital ePCR is the most sensitive test method available for confirmation of Bartonella species infections. Find out more.

How Many Neuroborreliosis Patients Try Repeat Doxycycline?

Repeated Doxycycline Treatment among Patients with Neuroborreliosis: A Nationwide, Population-Based, Registry-Based, Matched Cohort Study by MM Tetens et al. publishing from Denmark – A study of patients with neuroborreliosis treated with doxycycline in Denmark found that about 1 in 10 received further doxycycline after one year, suggesting ongoing symptoms. There is a longstanding debate among medical researchers and clinicians concerning the efficacy of long-term doxycycline for treatment of persistent neuroborreliosis. Whatever the outcome of this debate, it’s clear that both patients and clinicians commonly find themselves seeking effective treatment for symptoms persisting past one year.

Direct detection confirms current infection. Find out more about the Lyme Borrelia Nanotrap Antigen Test, a revolution in the direct detection of Borrelia.

Natural Antibiotic Resistance in Rickettsia and Bartonella

Reassessment of the Genetic Basis of Natural Rifampin Resistance in the Genus Rickettsia by J Amoros et al. publishing from University of Montpellier and University of Poitiers – Several Rickettsia species have rifampin resistance that can be traced to ancient evolution. A new study testing rifampin against R. lusitaniae suggests the mechanism of that resistance may be different than previously thought.

Sneaky Tactics: Ingenious Immune Evasion Mechanisms of Bartonella by Y Xi et al. publishing from the University of South China – Bartonella species use a variety of methods to evade immune detection and make it more difficult for immune response and antibiotics to kill them.

Remembering Pat Smith

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Pat Smith, the president of the Lyme Disease Association beginning in 1997. She was a tireless advocate who was instrumental in driving partnerships between patients, providers, academic researchers and government agencies.

Galaxy Diagnostics Cofounder and Board Member Dr. Amanda Elam noted, “I don’t know where the field would be today without the almost three decades of advocacy work that she put into this under-recognized emerging infectious disease. Truly phenomenal!” Cofounder and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt commented, “It is a very sad day for the Lyme community. Pat was a force of nature. She clearly demonstrated that one person can make a difference.”

Our thoughts are with the community, her friends, and her family.

 Read more about Pat Smith on the Lyme Disease Association, Inc. tribute.

Veterinarians and One Health

Zoonoses-Specific Resources, Collaborative Networks, and Enhanced Communication Can Help US Veterinarians Tackle Zoonotic Diseases: Results from a National Survey by S Chakraborty, A Fama & WE Sander publishing from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and VCA Heritage Animal Hospital –Veterinarians are a first line of defense against zoonotic diseases and are concerned about their own increasing risk, but in a new survey published by the American Veterinary Medicine Association, veterinarians say they need more tools. They are particularly looking for more training opportunities about public health and better public health communication channels.

The Veterinarians Preventing the Next Pandemic by R Galchen in The New Yorker – Zoonotic disease risk and #OneHealth are highlighted in The New Yorker as the importance of veterinarians to protecting human health is noted. The article starts with the now-famous story of a veterinarian at the Bronx Zoo noting West Nile virus. We’ve previously written about the case, with a link to a speech by Dr. Tracey McNamara about her experience as a veterinarian trying to report a One Health risk.

Evaluation of the Veterinary IDEXX SNAP 4Dx Plus Test for the Diagnosis of Lyme Disease in Humans by G Lee et al. publishing from the University at North Carolina Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University – A study of a Lyme disease test for dogs on known positive human blood found very low sensitivity. This may be because of the lower antibody concentrations in humans. Dr. Breitschwerdt is a co-author.

Borrelia Genetic Mapping

Population Dynamics of the Lyme Disease Bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, During Rapid Range Expansion in New York State by ZJ Oppler et al. publishing from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, University of Massachusetts Amherst and New York State Department of Health – A study of the rapid expansion of New York tick ranges from 2006 to 2019 found that ticks that moved into new regions quickly picked up genes from existing tick populations. This suggests that localized ecological pressures impact tick genetics.

Research Paves Way for More Accurate Treatment of Lyme Disease on Stony Brook University News – The bacteria that causes Lyme disease has a great deal of genetic variation. This likely contributes to the variety of symptoms, the difficulty of obtaining accurate clinical tests, and the variety of treatment responses. This week, Stonybrook University announces their work in genetic analysis and mapping of strains. This information may contribute to better testing and better treatments in the future.

Last week we shared a paper in which scientists considered whether the Borreliaceae family should be reorganized to better account for the genetic diversity.

Tick-Borne Disease in Western North Carolina

WNC Grapples with Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever by J Wakeman of the Mountain Xpress republished on BPR News – As more cases of Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are reported in western North Carolina, volunteer organizations are working on hyperlocal risk maps and informing locals.

Galaxy Diagnostics Calendar

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.