TICK-BORNE DISEASES SYMPOSIUM 2016

Oct 4, 2016 | Uncategorised

        I know one or two of you will be interested to hear how the Vis-a-vis symposium went om Saturday 01.10.16. Brilliant, is probably the best way I would describe it – by far one of the best conferences/symposiums I have been to on Lyme Disease in the UK. Perhaps the best bit was knowing there were Doctors, Consultants, Researchers and Veterinarians all listening attentively (and some taking copious notes) to the excellent presentations. Prof Hany Elsheikha, Veterinary Parasitology/Human/animal/Public Health from UK, gave an informative presentation, encouraging the audience to understand the clear and abundant presence of Ticks and the complexity of the numbers of pathogens they are able to transmit. The problems over testing and difficulties with diagnosis. Dr Jack Lambert Infectious and Tropical Diseases doctor from Ireland gave an outstanding presentation telling the audience the situation – how in other infectious diseases they acknowledged the limitations of testing and often treated empirically which is what he has been doing with considerable success with his suspected Lyme Disease patients. He talked about a study of 100 patients and how many had a good response to treatment in the just over 60% patients who chose to have the antibiotics or combination antibiotics he recommends (not everyone will opt for antibiotics, the patient has choices to make). It was so refreshing to hear so many positive comments about supporting this patient section. He also discussed a long list of suggested testing for a number of tick associated infections and immune markers plus the usual blood tests. Dr Carsten Nicolaus, Internal Medicine and Tick Borne Diseases from Germany, gave...