The CDC guidelines state Lyme is under-reported. In your Aug. 1 article, another DHEC spokesman states that underdiagnosing is more likely.

Dr. Gibson wrote, "Though Lyme disease results from the bite of infected deer ticks, the Southeastern deer tick prefers to feed on lizards (which do not carry the Lyme disease bacterium) rather than deer." A study performed by the University of South Carolina shows different results and, in fact, concludes B. burgdorferi is endemic to South Carolina, not only in deer, but many other animals.

Dr. Gibson also wrote, "Ms. Black's listing of possible symptoms of Lyme disease is not accepted by medical authorities." Her list is straight out of the Lyme literature from the CDC and National Lyme Foundation. He added, "Her assertion that all lab testing is unreliable is incorrect." The CDC states these tests are not reliable.

This is just a sampling of what we deal with every single day. This man rivals the character, Mr. Peck, in "Ghostbusters"; yet he controls the type of medical care and treatment that patients receive in South Carolina. The Web link he refers to in his letter even contradicts his own statements. DHEC needs to either prove us wrong, or support the people who pay its salaries!

All supporting information is located at http://www.sc-lyme.org/.

RICK HUDDLESTON Columbia

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