"Lyme disease in South Africa"
Sonet c. Strijdom, Michael Berk
(click title for link)
Objective. This article presents an overview of Lyme disease (LD) as it applies to neuropsychiatry and summarises research results on the epidemiology of LD in South Africa.
Method. The study is based on a review of research papers from various medical disciplines that focused onthe epidemiology of LD in South Africa.
Results. Assessment of the incidence of LD in South Africa is based on a few anecdotal studies. The results of the studies are dominated by experimental weaknesses.
Conclusions. The sporadic nature of LD incidence in South Africa may either reflect a restriction of research efforts or be a true indication of the epidemiology of the disease.
This review lends support to the former hypothesis. The low reported incidence of LD in South
Africa is probably due to a lack of awareness and research effort.
Department of Psychiatry, University at the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Sonet C. Strijdom.Iol.sc. (CLIN. PSYCHOL)
Michael Berit, MB. B.CH.• M.MED.(PSYC), FF.(PSYCH), PH.D
S Afr Med J 1996; 86: 741-744.
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Since 1995 I have firmly believe after extensive research on my part that I had Lyme Disease but I was told emphatically there was NO way I could have it as Lyme Disease was only found in Connecticut, USA.
Well, 15 years later Lyme Disease has been diagnosed as one of illnesses that are afflicting my body. This disease is cased by Borrelia.
Click on the above title for a link to a report on the prevalenceo of this disease in South Africa. The research was conducted by researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand, where I was employed until recently when it became impossible for me to do my job any longer due to the ravages of these illnesses on my body.
It is my opinion that MUCH more research needs to be put in to this area and I have to wonder as to how many people are out there suffering like I am, with a wrong diagnosis.
In 2000 I was given the diagnosis of 'possible multiple sclerosis'..... then when a MRI showed no further signs of plaque growth on the brain, I was told it may be Lupus, or Epstein Barr, Maybe Sjogren's disease, etc, etc. I was even on medication for 'epilepsy' for 5 years because the doctors didn't know what was wrong with me.
So for the best part of 25 years I have continually felt ill and weak and my family think I am a hypochondriac.
Even with my diagnosis in February 2010 of
Rickettsia Coronii,
Q Fever (Coxiella Burnetti),
Mycoplasma pneumoniae,
Chlamydia pneumoniae and
Lyme Disease,
they say it is all in my mind. Actually, I believe my ex boss thinks the same because I look fine on the outside, if just a little tired.....
