11 Jun New Borrelia Tick-Borne Disease Confirmed in Series of 51 Patients

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Philip Molloy, MD
Imugen Medical Director

Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: There is a newly described tick-borne infection in the US, first case published in NEJM Man 2013 (from Imugen researchers).  We then developed and validated both PCR and serologic blood tests.  Physicians  started ordering these tests, and many additional cases were uncovered, 51 of which are described in this paper.

Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Response: Be aware of yet another pathogen transmitted to humans from ticks, and don’t assume it’s Lyme.  Tests are available to help sort it out.  Imugen has been offering these tests commercially since 2013.

Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: We plan to continue to characterize cases and study the epidemiology of this infection.

Citation:

Borrelia miyamotoi Disease in the Northeastern United States: A Case Series

Philip J. Molloy, MD; Sam R. Telford III, ScD; Hanumara Ram Chowdri, MD; Timothy J. Lepore, MD; Joseph L. Gugliotta, MD; Karen E. Weeks, BS; Mary Ellen Hewins, BS; Heidi K. Goethert, ScD; and Victor P. Berardi

Ann Intern Med. Published online 9 June 2015 doi:10.7326/M15-0333

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Dr. Philip Molloy, MD, & Imugen Medical Director (2015). New Borrelia Tick-Borne Disease Confirmed in Series of 51 Patients 

Last Updated on June 11, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD