Publications by authors named "Michelle A Feist"
Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a multisystem disease caused by spirochetes in the Borrelia burgdorferisensu lato (Bbsl) genospecies complex. We previously described a novel Bbsl genospecies (type strain MN14-1420T) that causes LB among patients with exposures to ticks in the upper midwestern USA. Patients infected with the novel Bbsl genospecies demonstrated higher levels of spirochetemia and somewhat differing clinical symptoms as compared with those infected with other Bbsl genospecies.
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- Lyme borreliosis, primarily caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies, is the most prevalent tick-borne illness in the northern hemisphere, affecting multiple body systems with low spirochaetaemia.
- This study, conducted at the Mayo Clinic between 2003 and 2014, involved testing clinical specimens and identifying a novel Borrelia species through atypical PCR results and tick analysis.
- The findings revealed six patients with atypical PCR profiles indicating a new genospecies, which was also found in local ticks, highlighting potential new implications for Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment in the USA.
Article Synopsis
- * Most affected individuals were older males (median age 63), with common symptoms including fever, malaise, and low platelet counts, all having a history of tick exposure.
- * A significant portion of patients (23%) required hospitalization, but all recovered, and nearly all were treated with doxycycline, highlighting the importance of recognizing EML infections in tick-exposed individuals in the region.
Objectives: West Nile virus (WNV) continues to cause seasonal epidemics of neuroinvasive disease and febrile illness, which have been most dramatic in the central plains states. We studied the epidemiology of WNV disease in North Dakota (ND), a highly epidemic state, six years following its first appearance in the state.
Methods: We analyzed information from cases of WNV disease reported to the ND Department of Health during August 2002 through December 2007.