New Borrelia (Lyme) bacteria found in Australia

From the press release: media.murdoch.edu.au/new-bacteria-discovered-by-murdoch-researchers-in-australian-ticks
"To date, little has been documented about microorganisms harboured
within Australian native ticks or their potential to transmit disease.

The study concentrated on ticks removed from echidnas on Australia's
east coast of Australia, with researchers discovering the presence of a
/Borrelia/ bacteria species separate to a group of bacteria which causes
Lyme disease in the northern hemisphere.

While the new species is genetically related to the /Borrelia/ group
causing tick-borne Relapsing Fever (RF) overseas, its discovery has the
potential to form its own major bacteria group."


"The new bacterium was found in ticks removed from echidnas in Queensland
and New South Wales, but not in Victoria, with Dr Oskam admitting
further research was needed to uncover the disease potential and
consequences of the bacteria."

To the actual scientific article: parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-016-1627-x

Why is this important to all of us? Because ticks are carried across oceans by birds, overseas travelers (both human and animal) and these things find their way around the world. That's why we have European strains in the US and US strains in Europe.

thanks for the info!

I've been told by MD's that there is no Lyme in Arizona....so I can't have it.....pah...what a bunch of fools. I told one doc to check with their local vet to see what percentage of their dog patients were being treated at any given time for Erlichiosis and to re-think that concept. Lyme and it's co-infections are alive and thriving in Arizona. I think patients like me are the one's docs love to hate. Well, maybe if in some way, I can cause them to think about it and possibly do a little research after the seed in planted, well, good.

Jenny