Researches are baffled in the fact that some people recover fast from Lyme diseases, while others don’t, recovery process may even take years. Research points at an immune system indicator in the blood, which seen to be abnormally high among individuals with persisting Lyme disease symptoms, even though antibiotics are administered.
With regard to new studies published, in the center for disease control and preventions, researchers isolated an immune system indicator in the blood called interferon- alpha, which was unusually high among individuals who had been treated for Lyme disease, but had persistent symptoms.
Interferon- Alpha is one of the signaling proteins which the body produces to inform immune cells to fight off viruses or bacteria. There are times where the immune system can overact, elevating blood levels, which can cause pain, fatigue and swelling. These symptoms are often seen in Lyme diseases.
Klemen Strle, an assistant research professor at Tufts University an expert in the new study said, that patients with abnormal levels of interferon-alpha, the response to the bacteria may cause chronic inflammation, although the infection symptoms are absent.
“We think this is a possible drive of persistent symptoms” was mentioned by Strle. In UK first confirmed case was in 1985, since then this disease has been steadily rising. Ticks, tiny spider – like insects, reddish or black in color and the size of a poppy seed. This bug can be found across the UK, its habitat includes grassy areas in woodlands, urban parks and gardens.
Researchers suggest only 10% of the ticks in the UK carry Lyme Diseases. The disease is caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria known as Borrelia Burgdorferi, transmitted through their bites.
Some people wondered whether undetectable low levels of infection lingered in the body, after treatment according to the new research, the way the body bug itself- which could result in long-lasting symptoms.
As the spread of Lyme ticks intensifies the need for urgent and more accurate test to pick up infection at an early stage. Researches and health officials acknowledged.
The disease- carrying ticks thrive in warmer temperatures and due to climate change the insects will increasingly survive in winter, and spread beyond North East, Northern California and Northern areas of the mid-west.
It is seen that a lot of private foundations have stepped into funding research for Lyme, but at a federal level.
