Co-infections
Since the discovery of Lyme disease in 1982 by Dr. Will Burgdorfer, researchers have identified numerous other tick-borne diseases that can be transmitted to humans through a tick bite or tainted blood transfusion capable of harming humans. A single tick can transmit multiple pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. This has led to a rise in Lyme disease co-infections, with a single individual potentially suffering from multiple tickborne coinfections simultaneously.
Lyme Disease Co-Infections
Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, is a well-known tick-borne illness transmitted through the bite of a black-legged (I. scapularis) tick. However, what is less commonly known is that ticks can harbor multiple infectious pathogens, leading to the development of Lyme disease co-infections. In recent years, health experts have identified several new tick-borne microbes capable of infecting humans.
The Emergence of Co-Infections
Since the discovery of Lyme disease in 1982 by Dr. Will Burgdorfer, researchers have identified numerous other tick-borne diseases that can be transmitted to humans through a tick bite or tainted blood transfusion. A single tick can transmit multiple pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. This has led to a rise in Lyme disease co-infections, with a single individual potentially suffering from multiple tickborne coinfections simultaneously.
Prevalence of Co-Infections in Ticks
Studies have found that co-infections are not uncommon in ticks. For instance, a study in Suffolk County, Long Island, revealed that more than half (67%) of the ticks collected harbored at least one additional pathogen.
In Lyme-endemic areas of the United States, co-infection occurs in up to 30% of black-legged ticks. Among infected ticks collected in one study, 45% were co-infected and carried up to five different pathogens.
THE COMPLEXITY WITH CO-INFECTIONS
Researchers from Columbia University, Tufts Medical Center, and Yale School of Medicine examined the extent of co-infections in patients diagnosed with Lyme disease. Their findings showed that:
- 40% of Lyme disease patients had concurrent Babesia
- 1 in 3 patients with Babesia had concurrent Anaplasmosis
- Two-thirds of patients with Babesiosis experienced concurrent Lyme disease, and one-third experienced concurrent Anaplasmosis.
Recognizing and Treating Co-Infections
As tick populations continue to grow and expand into new geographic regions, there is increasing concern surrounding the medical community’s ability to recognize, diagnose, and treat Lyme disease co-infections. One study found that nearly 1 in 4 black-legged ticks tested had multiple infections, emphasizing the need for a clinical approach that covers all infection possibilities.
Unfortunately, testing for co-infections is often overlooked. In a study of nearly 3 million specimens, only 17% were tested for non-Lyme tick-borne diseases. Accurate diagnosis is crucial since patients may require different treatments depending on the type of co-infection. For example, antibiotics prescribed for Lyme disease may be ineffective in treating parasitic or viral tick-borne diseases such as Babesia.
