Investigation into Vector-Borne diseases in people in Australia
In recent years, public and government concern about the potential for tick-borne diseases in people has increased considerably, with lobbying by patient advocacy groups, parliamentary and senate hearings into Lyme-like disease illness and the establishment of a Clinical Advisory Committee on Lyme disease (CACLD). In research conducted for the first time in Australia, we have characterized the diversity of bacteria in Australian ticks removed from humans and animals. The aim of this study is to use our next generation DNA sequencing techniques to investigate if these bacteria and any other potential pathogens can be detected in samples from people with Lyme-like illness in Australia. Murdoch University Human Research Ethics Permit No. 2016/035