HOW TO PREVENT HEALTH CARE COSTS

'Dementia and stroke as a consequence of Treponema and Borrelia infections also occur in the tertiary or late stages of these spirochetal diseases.

In meningovascular neurosyphilis and neuroborreliosis the leptomeninges and leptomeningeal arteries are involved leading to Heubner's arteritis and arterial thrombosis with secondary cerebral infarct (indirect parenchymal involvement). When Treponema or Borrelia spirochetes invade the nervous tissue (direct parenchymal involvement) there is a meningo-encephalitis or encephalitis. With respect to the direct parenchymal involvement, which corresponds to a meningoencephalitis, two different forms are distinguished. In the infiltrative form there is a severe lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and in the atrophic form, a poor or absent lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, but severe microgliosis, neuronal loss and cortical atrophy are present. The pathology of both, the infiltrative and atrophic forms were clinically and pathologically documented in both neurosyphilis and Lyme neuroborreliosis.

The cases with chronic or late Lyme neuroborreliosis, illustrated in the chapter, were published in per reviewed, internationally recognized medical journals. Some of them more than 15 years ago. Chronic or late Lyme neuroborreliosis was confirmed by clinical, pathological and serological examinations and the spirochetes, their antigens or their genes were detected in the tertiary lesions of the brain. Improvement of late or chronic neurosyphilis and neuroborreliosis following antibiotic treatment was repeatedly reported both in syphilis and Lyme disease, however the treatment of late or chronic cases are more difficult. Syphilis was virtually eradicated by the use of Penicillin, indicating that we can also eradicate Lyme disease.


Newer approaches to the treatment of Lyme disease should take into account the frequent co-infection with other pathogens and the need for a more prolonged combination therapy, as it is the case in the treatment of tuberculosis. Even in the doubt of tuberculosis the treatment of the patients with "tritherapy" is necessary for 6 months. It should be an example for the future treatment of Lyme disease. Such treatment, in analogy to tuberculosis and syphilis will substantially prevent extensive healthcare costs in the future.'

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The above was posted on Judith Miklossy's website here

I have long since been a fan of the outstanding work Judith Miklossy has done in the field of Lyme Disease but also in Alzheimer's and it was a privilege to meet her in 2009 at the Lyme Disease Action conference.

Those of us unfortunate enough to get Lyme Disease who are lucky enough to get diagnosed and find a good knowledgeable Lyme Doctor who is able to tailor treatments to suite us are testament to Miklossy's recommendation about treatments.

Sadly there are many thousands more who go undiagnosed and untreated because not enough attention is being paid to this formidable disease.

I was browsing through an earlier post I did on the UK figures for Lyme Disease 2009 here

1467 in the UK

but according to Dr Ho Yen HPA Scotland ten times the figure of serologically positive tested cases is more likely.

14670 likely Lyme Disease cases in the UK in 2009

As many of us have been sick several years even on the conservative side say 5 years mean that is still an incredibly high number of 73000 people here in the UK many of whom will be unable to work full time due to their illness.

Just imagine how much our Government could save if only there was more awareness and early adequate treatment as well as appropriate treatment for late stages of Lyme Disease.