Evidence for Ixodes holocyclus (Acarina: Ixodidae) as a Vector for Human Lyme Borreliosis Infection in Australia

Mayne, Peter; Song, Simon; Shao, Renfu; Burke, Jennie; Wang, Y.; Roberts, Timothy K.

doi:10.1093/jisesa/ieu133

Cited by 13 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Thus, non-specific amplification may have led to the positive PCR reaction. The same author reported elsewhere an Australian erythema migrans biopsy yielding a product with a Borrelia 16SrRNA PCR once again having a 99% homology with B. burgdorferi s. s. [86]. The sequence of the amplicon was not provided, and the primer sequences were also withheld [86].…”

Section: Lyme-like Case Reported In Australiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The same author reported elsewhere an Australian erythema migrans biopsy yielding a product with a Borrelia 16SrRNA PCR once again having a 99% homology with B. burgdorferi s. s. [86]. The sequence of the amplicon was not provided, and the primer sequences were also withheld [86]. The laboratory concerned has, to date, yet to share their primer sequences, nor any DNA or isolates with other researchers for independent verification.…”

Section: Lyme-like Case Reported In Australiamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Is there a Lyme-like disease in Australia? Summary of the findings to date

2016

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Lyme Borreliosis is a common tick-borne disease of the northern hemisphere caused by the spirochaetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s. l.) complex. It results in multi-organ disease with arthritic, cardiac, neurological and dermatological manifestations. In the last twenty-five years there have been over 500 reports of an Australian Lyme-like syndrome in the scientific literature. However, the diagnoses of Lyme Borreliosis made in these cases have been primarily by clinical presentation and laboratory results of tentative reliability and the true cause of these illnesses remains unknown. A number of animals have been introduced to Australia that may act as B. burgdorferi s. l. reservoirs in Lyme-endemic countries, and there are some Australian Ixodes spp. and Haemaphysalis spp. ticks whose geographical distribution matches that of the Australian Lyme-like cases. Four published studies have searched for Borrelia in Australian ticks, with contradicting results. The cause of the potential Lyme-like disease in Australia remains to be defined. The evidence to date as to whether these illnesses are caused by a Borrelia species, another tick borne pathogen or are due to a novel or unrelated aetiology is summarised in this review.

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Section: Lyme-like Case Reported In Australiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Lyme-like Case Reported In Australiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Is there a Lyme-like disease in Australia? Summary of the findings to date

2016

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“…Since the early 1990s, the Australian medical community, especially specialist microbiologists and infectious diseases physicians, have debated whether an indigenous form of classic Lyme diseases occurs in Australia, especially in areas with high rates of tick bites 2 . ‐ 4 , 8 ‐ 12 , 15 , 17 , 18 This interest motivated some of the early tick surveys 2 , 17 . In 1991, B. burgdorferi s.l.…”

Section: Background To the Belief That Lyme Disease Exists In Australiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the United States, the key protagonists in the debate are the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), an association of physicians and medical scientists, and the public advocacy group, the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) 20 , 21 . Consistent with its model of persistent infection, ILADS and practitioners who share its views 15 , 17 , 20 , 22 advocate long term treatment with oral antibiotics and sometimes prolonged use of intravenous antibacterial agents and associated complementary therapies, such as probiotics and natural and alternative therapies, for managing the adverse effects of long term antimicrobial administration.…”

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confidence: 99%

Does Lyme disease exist in Australia?

Collignon

Lum

Robson

2016

Medical Journal of Australia

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There is no convincing evidence that classic Lyme disease occurs in Australia, nor is there evidence that the causative agent, Borrelia burgdorferi, is found in Australian animals or ticks. Lyme disease, however, can be acquired overseas but diagnosed in Australia; most people presenting with laboratory-confirmed Lyme disease in Australia were infected in Europe. Despite the lack of evidence that Lyme disease can be acquired in Australia, growing numbers of patients, their supporters, and some politicians demand diagnoses and treatment according to the protocols of the "chronic Lyme disease" school of thought. Antibiotic therapy for chronic "Lyme disease-like illness" can cause harm to both the individual (eg, cannula-related intravenous sepsis) and the broader community (increased antimicrobial resistance rates). Until there is strong evidence from well performed clinical studies that bacteria present in Australia cause a chronic debilitating illness that responds to prolonged antibiotics, treating patients with "Lyme disease-like illness" with prolonged antibiotic therapy is unjustified, and is likely to do much more harm than good.

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“…Australian diagnostic laboratories have diagnosed cases of imported LD (including by culture) . A single, non‐accredited laboratory has reported five polymerase chain reaction‐positive ECM specimens . There is doubt over those reports because of the lack of supporting sequencing data, concerns of non‐specific amplification and the lack of confirmation by an independent laboratory .…”

Section: Australian Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Lyme disease: why the controversy?

Beaman

2016

Internal Medicine Journal

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Some Australians have become convinced of the existence of locally acquired Lyme disease (LD). The history of LD, since its recognition in the early 1970s, is reviewed as a model for investigative approaches to unknown syndromes. Australian Management Guidelines for LD include the requirement for diagnostic testing by National Association of Testing Authorities-accredited laboratories using Therapeutic Goods Administrationlicensed tests, which result in the efficient diagnosis of LD in overseas travellers. Despite this, patients who have not left Australia pay many thousands of dollars for nonspecialist consultations and testing at overseas laboratories. Unproven long-term therapy with multiple antibiotics has resulted in serious complications, including allergies, line sepsis, pancreatitis and pseudomembranous colitis. Studies have shown that LD vectors are not found in Australia, and Lyme Borrelia has not been found in Australian vectors, animals or patients with autochthonous illnesses. I propose that (i) A noncontroversial name for the chronic syndrome should be adopted, 'Australian Multisystem Disorder'. (ii) Research funding should enable the development of a consensus case definition and studies of the epidemiology of this syndrome with laboratory investigations to identify an aetiology and surrogate markers of disease. Prospective, randomised treatment studies could then be undertaken using ethical protocols.

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Evidence for Ixodes holocyclus (Acarina: Ixodidae) as a Vector for Human Lyme Borreliosis Infection in Australia

Cited by 13 publications

References 9 publications

Is there a Lyme-like disease in Australia? Summary of the findings to date

Is there a Lyme-like disease in Australia? Summary of the findings to date

Does Lyme disease exist in Australia?

Lyme disease: why the controversy?

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