StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Lyme Disease - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
Lyme disease Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi). This bacterium is found mostly in USA, Europe, Australia, China, Russia and Japan. The bacteria are a spirochete and four genomic species have been identified up till now and are specific for geographic areas…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER95.2% of users find it useful
Lyme Disease
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Lyme Disease"

Lyme disease Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi(B. burgdorferi). This bacterium is found mostly in USA, Europe, Australia, China, Russia and Japan. The bacteria are a spirochete and four genomic species have been identified up till now and are specific for geographic areas. Lyme disease has been identified as the most common vector-borne disease in the state of America and the incidence of this disease is increasing with every year. In 2003, 21,273 cases were estimated in 45 different districts of U.S. It was also observed that 10% increase in incidence occurred in Columbia as compared to the records of the year 2002 (McPhee et al 2007; Colledge et al 2010).

It is transmitted to the humans by the vector, ixodid ticks that belong to the Ixodes ricinus complex. The blacklegged ticks spread the bacteria after biting mice or deer which are already infested with Lyme disease (PubMed Health 2011; McPhee et al 2007). The basic historical perspective of Lyme disease, signs and symptoms of the disease, causes and risk factors, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies and the preventive measures will be discussed in the paper. The first documented report of the occurrence of Lyme disease was made in the town of Old Lyme in Connecticut, U.S.A in the year 1975.

Thus, it acquired the disease acquired the name after the town. Lyme disease is also called Lyme Borreliosis, after the name of its causative bacterium. Important risk factors for the increased frequency of Lyme disease infection include outdoor activities which expose the individual to ticks for instance gardening or hunting. Unhygienic pets with tick’s infestation or excessive outdoor walking in high grasses increases the risk for Lyme disease (PubMed Health 2011; McPhee et al 2007). The clinical features of the disease are divided into three stages- early localized disease, early disseminated disease and late disease.

In the first stage, a bull’s eye lesion called erythema migrans is formed at the site of tick bite and has a flat or slightly raised red appearance. Other flu-like symptoms develop including fever, chills and myalgias and develop in 50% of the affected individuals. In 44% of the patients, dissemination of the bacteria occurs through blood or lymphatics leading to systemic involvement especially the musculoskeletal, skin and neurological involvement. Secondary lesions of skin, migratory joint and muscle pains, fatigue and malaise are common.

Involvement of heart occurs in 4-10% patients leading to arrhythmias, heart block or myopericarditis. Neurological involvement (10-20%) causes head and neck stiffness due to lymphocytic meningitis, cranial nerve palsies and peripheral neuropathy. Late manifestations include polyneuritis, arthritis and encephalopathy. These late manifestations occur after months and years of initial infection. Late skin involvement results in acrodermatitis chronicum atrophicans. Symptoms like speech problems, numbness and tingling and abnormal muscle movements occur (McPhee et al 2007; Colledge et al 2010).

The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical features, physical findings and the history of exposure to the infected ticks. In the early disease, laboratory tests are not significant. Immunoflorescence, ELISA and antibody titers can give false results in the course of the disease. To confirm the diagnosis, immunoblot (Western blot) technique should be employed. PCR technique for microorganism DNA detection can be performed on urine, blood, CSF and skin biopsy samples. ECG, echocardiogram, spinal tap an MRI of brain are more specifc tests in case of systemic involvement (Longmore et al 2010; Colledge et al 2010; PubMed Health 2011).

The patients who develop symptoms of early disease like erythema maigrans should be treated with antibiotics even if the skin rash resolves as it can progress later into systemic manifestations. A fourteen day course with doxycycline or amoxicillin should be started. Affected individuals who are allergic to this treatment or pregnant women should be given a fourteen-day course of erythromycin or cefuroxime axetil (Colledge et al 2010). For later complications, higher doses of benzyl penicillin or ceftriaxone should be given through intravenous route (Longmore et al 2010).

Inflammation is also an important part of Lyme disease, and can be reduced through proteolytic enzymes, hydrotherapy, diet, massage and fish oil. Natural immune support for the patients is also important and can be provided through Vitamin C and Vitamin D supplements (Strasheim 2009). Preventive measures include simple cautionary steps like avoiding exposure to tick-infested areas, covering exposed skin parts, using repellants and inspecting for ticks after exposure to such area. Environmental control of ticks should also be encouraged.

Prophylactic antibiotics should be administered only to those individuals who line in highly endemic areas. A recombinant vaccine (LYMErix, SmithKline Beecham) have shown a 75% efficacy rate. However, a suspected adverse effect of autoimmune arthritis has caused the withdrawal of the vaccine from the market (McPhee et al 2007). Thorough inspection of clothes and exposed body parts is advised after coming from tick-infested areas. Taking a bath immediately to remove the ticks is also helpful (PubMed Health 2011).

Lyme disease is one of the commonest infectious diseases and especially in U.S.A and the European countries. Transmitted by the ticks, the disease has a clinical picture divided into three stages. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings, history and specific tests if the systemic involvement occurs. Management is majorly based on antibiotic treatment and natural therapies for immune support and reduction of inflammation. Preventive measures should be adapted especially in endemic areas to reduce the incidence of Lyme disease.

Works Cited Colledge, Nicki R, Brian R. Walker, Stuart Ralston, and Stanley Davidson. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2010. Print. Longmore M, Wilkinson I B, Davidson E H, Foulkes A and Mafi A R. Oxford Handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford University Press. 2010. Print McPhee, Stephen J, Maxine A. Papadakis, and Lawrence M. Tierney. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment, 2008. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical, 2007. Print. PubMed Health.

“Lyme Desease”. U.S. National Library of Medicine, PubMed Health. 26 August 2011. Web. 5 May 2012. Strasheim, Connie. Insights into Lyme Disease Treatment: 13 Lyme-Literate Health Care Practitioners Share Their Healing Strategies. South Lake Tahoe, CA: BioMed Pub. Group, 2009. Print.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Lyme Disease Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1450508-lyme-disease
(Lyme Disease Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1450508-lyme-disease.
“Lyme Disease Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1450508-lyme-disease.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease and How the Immune System Responds

Lyme Disease and How the Immune System Responds Introduction Lyme's disease also known as Lyme borreliosis is an infectious disease.... This disease has been considered as the most common disease transferred by ticks so far.... The signs and symptoms of the disease are divided into early and late.... The disease could also lead to many cardiac anomalies like atrioventricular block.... The disease if not treated properly or left untreated could lead to its persistent chronic form....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Disease resulting by global warming

Studies show that diseases such as Lyme Disease, tuberculosis, avian influenza, cholera, Ebola, infestation and infection of intestinal and external parasites, yellow fever, sleeping sickness, and malaria will increase in prevalence due to global warming (Shapley, 2008).... Diseases such as Cholera, Ebola, malaria, sleeping sickness Lyme Disease are caused by micro pathogens that are transmitted by hosts.... Some disease such as malaria and sleeping sickness are more prevalent in subtropical and tropical areas compared to more wet and cold areas (Hauser, 2013)....
3 Pages (750 words) Research Paper

Robustness of Evidence

hellip; Lyme Disease vaccination is considered as the beneficial process for patients with the moderate risk of attracting infections.... The studies conducted by Shadick and colleagues focused on assessing the cost effectiveness of the vaccination against the Lyme Disease by developing a decision analytic model.... Further the evidence for cost effectiveness and management of Lyme Disease were taken from one study only and the dollar values were updated up to 1998 only which may not entirely be considered as entirely accurate and relevant....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Ticks and the Lyme Disease

A parasite is any organism that lives on or lives in another organism and benefit from this relationship by feeding on the host, the tick feed on blood from the host and will detach from the host when it is full, ticks are non flying parasites and therefore climb up the host and find a spot where they attach themselves on the skin and feed on blood. … There are a variety of ticks and they include brown dog tick, American dog tick, lone star tick, black legged tick, ticks transmit a number of diseases which include Lyme Disease, rocky mountain fever, Ehrlichiosis, Babesiosis and Tularemia....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

West of Jesus: Surfing, Science and the Origins of Belief by Steven Kotler

The love of surfing is the one enthusiasm that Kotler has left after several years suffering with Lyme Disease.... The book starts with Kotler recovering from a long battle with Lyme Disease that nearly killed him.... This physical and mental journey returns Kotler to a time before his battle with Lyme Disease, and enables him to start being a journalist once again.... The reader starts with Kotler, as if they have just recovered from a serious and potentially life-threatening disease....
5 Pages (1250 words) Book Report/Review

Theres no specific title

Neuropsychological assessments have been proven to better diagnose and give treatment to patients suffering from Lyme Disease, which may easily be diagnosed as a psychiatric disease (Fallon 1, 1997).... Functional Brain Imaging and Neuropsychological Testing in Lyme Disease....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Escherichia Coli Diarrhea, Hepatitis A, Cholera, Toxoplasmosis and Lyme Disease

According to a survey carried out by The Department of ecology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, the prevalence of Lyme Disease in Denmark is approximately 4,98% (Matthews, 2012).... hellip; In addition, there was a correlation between the number of infected nymphs and the distribution in the number of Lyme Disease cases.... There are also several other factors Diseases Diseases Location: Denmark Diseases listed: Escherichia coli diarrhea, Hepatitis A, Cholera, Toxoplasmosis and Lyme diseaseDetails: Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection that occurs throughout Denmark....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Development of a Vaccine for Lyme Disease

"Development of a Vaccine for Lyme Disease" paper focuses on Lyme Disease, a multi-system vector borne zoonosis.... nbsp;… Only one study has particularly addressed the treatment of acute disseminated non-neurologic Lyme Disease which was defined by the presence of either multiple erythemas migrans lesions or an objective non-neurologic extracutaneous manifestation.... In situations of suspected Lyme Disease, the culture of skin lesions, serologic testing, or polymerase chain reaction testing was done....
11 Pages (2750 words) Term Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us