What is Borrelia miyamotoi?
What is Borrelia miyamotoi? This tick-borne illness, transmitted by deer ticks, is believed to be underrecognized and a growing concern, as studies indicate a B. miyamotoi infection may be as common as anaplasmosis and babesiosis. Researchers randomly tested 250 individuals living in Manitoba, Canada and found that 10% were seropositive for B. miyamotoi. [1]
The case of an untreated Babesia infection
Babesia can be a severe and life-threatening tick-borne illness. In a recent article, Dr. Gary Wormser described a 61-year-old female with an untreated Babesia microti infection.¹ The woman’s IgM test for Lyme disease was positive, but it was dismissed as a false positive test.
Small fiber neuropathy in Lyme disease and COVID-19
Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a disorder that affects the small sensory cutaneous nerves, resulting in unusual sensations such as tingling, pins-and-needles and numbness. Some patients may experience burning pain or coldness and electric shock-like brief painful sensations. In most patients, these symptoms start in the feet and progress upwards.¹
First report: Babesia odocoilei causes babesiosis in humans
Human babesiosis is a potentially life-threatening parasitic infection, typically transmitted through a tick bite. Babesia microti (B. microti) and Babesia duncani (B. duncani) are two red blooded parasites known for causing babesiosis. But, this is the first report of a different species, Babesia odocoilei, causing illness in humans.
Lyme disease associated with eye problems
Some Lyme disease patients have described changes in visual function not related to visual acuity measurements. The changes in visual function may be related to contrast sensitivity (CS), which refers to your ability to distinguish the foreground from background. This is not detected by the common visual acuity testing in a routine eye exam.
Lyme disease: a persistent infection
Chronic manifestations of Lyme disease have been described for more than three decades. In 1970, Logigian and Steere described 27 patients with chronic neurologic Lyme disease, who had been ill for up to 14 years. Some improved, some relapsed and others remained ill. [1]
Lyme disease and COVID-19 — Understanding the risks
I have Lyme disease patients in my practice who have been ill with COVID-19. Some have taken the COVID-19 vaccine. Others have refused to take it. This survey is expected to help individuals with Lyme disease understand the impact of having COVID-19 and/or the risk associated with the vaccine.
Babesia symptoms can be deadly: a family’s story
The number of Babesia cases appears to be rising and as a recent article in the Washington Post reports, the tick-borne infection can be deadly when symptoms go unrecognized.
PTSD, COVID-19 and Lyme disease: a perspective
“Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe mental health condition caused by a terrifying event outside the normal range of usual human experience."[1] While it is often associated with events such as an assault or disaster, post-traumatic stress disorder can occur in people with severe health problems.
Lyme carditis diagnosis during a COVID-19 quarantine
Lyme carditis is a rare but serious complication of early Lyme disease. It typically causes AV conduction abnormalities in patients with the most severe and fatal cases resulting in third-degree heart block. The condition can occur in a normally healthy individual and has even been reported in children and adolescents.
