Im Nordosten der USA nehmen Zecken zu, die mehr als einen Krankheitserreger übertragen. Am häufigsten zusammen gefunden wurden das Bakterium, das die Lyme-Borreliose verursacht, und ein Parasit, der eine malariaähnliche Krankheit namens Babesiose verursacht. Die Koinfektion mit diesen beiden Krankheitserregern lag am Ende der Studie bei nahezu 11 %.
https://www.caryinstitute.org/news-insights/press-release/ticks-carrying-more-one-pathogen-are-rise-us-northeast
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Ticks carrying more than one pathogen are on the rise in US Northeast
A key finding is that more nymphal ticks are carrying multiple pathogens. Of the thousands of ticks that were collected between 2014 and 2022, roughly 1 in 10 tested positive for at least two disease-causing pathogens.
“Overall, it’s a concerning co-infection rate that has been increasing over time,” LaDeau noted.
Most commonly found together were Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, and Babesia microti, a parasite that causes a malaria-like disease known as babesiosis. Co-infection with these two pathogens was more frequent than expected, approaching 11% by the end of the study.
These results have important public health implications because the two pathogens require different treatments. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline, while Babesia infections are treated with antiparasitic medications.
“In the Northeast, when someone gets sick after a tick bite, medical professionals should be testing for both pathogens to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment,” said LaDeau.
More than 38% of the ticks tested were capable of spreading at least one disease-causing pathogen to people.
For those interested, here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:
https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.70508
Not so Fun fact! Japanese barberry, a common ornamental plan in a lot of people’s front yards, is a highly invasive species in North America.
Studies have found that this specific shrub increases tick density and specifically the rate of Lyme diseases in ticks.
So make sure to pull this out your garden if you have a North America.
Edit: I have a video that explains how this works and such, but can’t link videos on this sub
This is why I support possums as pets <3
(One of many reasons)
I have Lyme disease and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I can’t take anything for it due to my blood disease. But I did find Penetrex works to relieve the pain.
Ah, the ole Hickum’s Dictum — a patient can have as many diseases as they damn well please.
I know someone with babesiosis and it’s been life shattering for them. On top of that, unless you’re seeing a specialist in tick borne illness your symptoms are likely to be dismissed, invalidated and treated if they’re psychosomatic which only increases the amount of stress in your mind and body that is trying to fight off a parasite.