study found: Role of N. autumnalis as a vector for Borreliosis is still to be investigated ....

dorit

Regular Member

Joined : Nov 2008

Posts : 375

Posted 3/26/2009 1:27 PM (GMT -7)

Hi to everybody !!

It is already widely accepted that mosquitos, horseflies and fleas may carry bb. But I was so sure that I read something about mites being under vector suspect too;
I found a study today in which the larvals of Neotrombicula autumnalis ( larval harvest mites) were questioned as vectors for bb within a dissertation work at the University Bonn/ Germany; they found one larval which carried bb when researching.

Needles to say that we have them here in tons sometimes!! (but teatree oil seems to keep them pretty well away - at least something they dont like)

So we should not stopp to educate our docs / the med establishment that there may be many many other vectors outside - which do not cause a bullseye btw....!!!

I am very happy that they translated the summary of the research into English!!
http://hss.ulb.uni-bonn.de/diss_online/math_nat_fak/2003/schoeler_arne/index.htm see: abstract --> click "more"; scroll down - its mentioned in the last paragraph at end of page.

greetings to all from over here! dorit

bcaring

Regular Member

Joined : Feb 2006

Posts : 346

Posted 3/26/2009 8:16 PM (GMT -7)

Hello Dorit!

You continue to amaze me with the articles and information you provide. I read your article and was horrified to think that there may be a link to bb infection. I must admit that mites are one of my least favorite subjects - terribly allergic to them and I spend a lot of time trying to keep the house clean and allergies under control. My dryer gets a lot of use trying to kill anything that might still be alive after washing.

Having said all that, I HAD to look up what a HARVEST MITE looks like and here is wikepedia's explanation of harvest mites (also known as Chiggers in the US. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvest_mite

Here is another very simple article explaining different mites: http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th5i.htm

Three more comments:

It seems that harvest mites can carry rickettsial diseases in some parts of the world. And I was already a little paranoid about bugs, ticks, and spiders. It is upsetting because I really prefer quite natural forested settings over concrete.

It feels like we are in a war of humans against all vectors. If fleas, flies, chiggers, mites, and who knows what else carry the risk of some type of infection...then it is going to be difficult to avoid exposure.

Can someone tell me how to create a link on url within a post? It sure would make things easier.

Greetings to you Dorit!
Beth

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