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HEADLINES: September Mosquito Risk in the US & Late-Summer Lyme Disease Wave * A Research Breakthrough Two Decades in the Making * More
September Mosquito Risk in the US
The presence of a high risk of Eastern equine encephalitis in a region of Massachusetts has prompted evening closures of parks and fields to encourage people to stay inside during the time of highest mosquito bite risk.
Additionally, West Nile virus has been found in several US states stretching from the northeast all the way to California. September has historically been the highest-risk month for West Nile virus in the US Northeast.
Protection from West Nile virus, EEE and other mosquito-borne pathogens is a priority into the fall months.
Late-Summer Lyme Disease Wave
Southern New York state is having a late-summer increase in Lyme disease cases. This is consistent with recent years going into mild winters with longer Lyme disease seasons.
Find out more about using direct detection for confirmation of early Lyme Disease.
A Research Breakthrough Two Decades in the Making
Borrelia burgdorferi Secretes c-di-AMP as an Extracellular Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern to Elicit Type I Interferon Responses in Mammalian Hosts by R Prya et al. publishing from Indiana and China In 2008, while still a post-doc in Dr. Janis Weis’ lab, Galaxy Diagnostics VP of Research and Development Dr. Jen Miller discovered that B. burgdorferi secreted an unknown molecule(s) into BSK-II culture medium that exerted a Type I IFN-stimulatory effect on mammalian host cells. Now, as part of a multi-institution team, Drs. Raj Priya and Frank Yang have identified the secreted Type I IFN-stimulatory component as c-di-AMP, a key extracellular pathogen-associated molecular pattern.
Rickettsia and Anaplasma and the Innate Immune System
Innate Immunity in Rickettsial Infections by AF Londoño, DG Scorpio & JS Dumler publishing from the US – Review of how the innate immune system interacts with Rickettsia and Anaplasma infections.
MORE: Zoonotic Risks Associated with Camels * Continuing Education * Galaxy Calendar
Zoonotic Risks Associated with Camels
Zoonotic Diseases Transmitted from the Camels by AI Khalafalla publishing from the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority – Camels are important agricultural animals, often living closely with humans. Interactions with camels also occur with tourism and where camels are kept as pets. They are reservoirs for MERS-CoV. A review of published reports finds they have also been implicated in human cases of brucellosis, plague, camelpox and hepatitis E and likely have zoonotic potential for several other pathogens.
Continuing Education
The US CDC’s Zoonotic and One Health call for September 4th will focus on Rocky Mountain spotted fever, the National Public Health Strategy to Prevent and Control Vector-Borne Diseases in People, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. CE available.
Galaxy Diagnostics Calendar
US Labor Day, September 2, 2024 – Galaxy Diagnostics will be closed on Monday, September 2nd, for the US Labor Day holiday. Please do not ship any samples on Sunday. Operations will resume on Tuesday, September 3rd.
ILADS Annual Scientific Conference, November 7-10, 2024 – Galaxy Diagnostics speakers will include CEO Nicole Bell. Find us in the exhibitor hall.
