How Vector-Borne Pathogens Evade the Immune System

Learn about tick-borne pathogen immune evasion with Galaxy Diagnostics

By Jennifer C. Miller, PhD, Vice President of Clinical & Scientific Operations, Galaxy Diagnostics   Summary: Babesia, Bartonella, and Borrelia are three of the most clinically important tick-borne pathogens in North America, while simultaneously being three of the most diagnostically elusive. Each has evolved distinct biological strategies to hide from the host immune system, suppress… Continue reading How Vector-Borne Pathogens Evade the Immune System

Making sense of Lyme Research – What does the Science say?

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Making Sense of Lyme Research – What Does the Science Say? When I finally realized that my husband’s early-onset Alzheimer’s was caused by Lyme disease and other co-infections, I tried to use my engineering background to make sense of it all.   I very quickly found myself lost. An excerpt from my memoir about our… Continue reading Making sense of Lyme Research – What does the Science say?

Lyme Learnings from the Trenches

Her husband died from Lyme-related causes. Now she advocates for change. January 14th. The date loomed on my calendar like a dark rain cloud. One year since Russ died. One year since I watched him lying lifeless in that hospice bed, a broken shell of the captivating man he once was.   And to make… Continue reading Lyme Learnings from the Trenches

Bartonella: The Beast Within

My fascination with Bartonella all started with two little pills.

My husband, Russ, was diagnosed with three tick-borne pathogens: Borrelia burgdorferi, Bartonella henselae, and Babesia duncani. I researched each of the unwanted invaders, but my efforts quickly focused on Borrelia, the bacteria causing Lyme Disease. Lyme gets most of the headlines, so it must be the most significant factor in Russ’s case, right?

Plant-based cures for Vector-borne disease

Herb- and plant-based medicines have been used for as long as 60,000 years, with the first written record dating to 7,000 years ago. While these medicines have survived scientific evaluation with varying success, one in four medications currently used has a plant-based origin. One of the most successful medications treats a vector-borne disease. With all… Continue reading Plant-based cures for Vector-borne disease

Bell’s Palsy and Lyme Disease

Worried about finals, Sarah wasn’t sleeping and had become a bit run down. She had noticed a cold sore the week before, but that always occurred around finals. One day, she woke up and her face felt a little numb. The next day, her eye was dry and her smile didn’t quite look right. By… Continue reading Bell’s Palsy and Lyme Disease