The oldest indication of human Bartonella infection (bartonellosis) was found in a tooth of a person who died about 4,000 years ago. The history of the scientific description of Bartonella is much shorter. Three acute diseases caused by these bacteria—trench fever, Carrión’s disease, and cat scratch disease—were only scientifically described starting toward the end of […]
Galaxy Celebrates 10 Years of Advanced Diagnostics For Flea-and Tick-borne Diseases
How did we get here? In 2008, Galaxy Diagnostics began commercializing the patented BAPGM (Bartonella alphaproteobacteria Growth Medium) technology. This technology was developed at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine by our co-founders, Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt and Dr. Ricardo Maggi. When Dr. Amanda Elam, now President of Galaxy Diagnostics, joined the company the […]
Three New Papers Co-Authored by Galaxy Personnel Now Available
Galaxy is excited to announce that our co-founders, Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt and Dr. Ricardo Maggi, have co-authored three recently published scientific papers related to flea-and tick-borne pathogens. Dr. Breitschwerdt, chief scientific officer, and Dr. Maggi, chief technical officer, split their time between providing scientific expertise to Galaxy and conducting research at North Carolina State […]
TBDWG Recommendations for Improved Prevention of Tick-borne Disease Transmission
Prevention of tick-borne disease in the United States is at a crossroads of peril and opportunity. On the one hand, researchers have identified innovative and achievable methods for reducing the risk of disease in the environment. On the other hand, emerging diseases and species brought to the United States present new challenges. The Tick-Borne Disease […]
Access to Care Issues Discussed in the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group 2018 Report to Congress
In chapter seven of the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group 2018 Report to Congress, the working group discusses access to care. Some of the burdens those with tick-borne disease face accessing care are the same health care system burdens faced by any patient. Some are similar to those common to other conditions that cause disability. And […]
The Tick-Borne Disease Working Group’s Take on Surveillance in Humans
In their recent report to congress, the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (TBDWG) emphasizes the importance of tick-borne disease surveillance, specifically for Lyme Disease. In this post, we will explore what Lyme disease and co-infection surveillance looks like now and what an improved surveillance system might look like. As mentioned in our recent Bartonella prevalence post, […]