How long does it take for a tick to transmit Babesia?
The numbers of cases of Babesia are climbing - a real concern, particularly since this tick-borne pathogen can be transmitted immediately following a tick bite. In their study “Lyme borreliosis: a review of data on transmission time after tick attachment,” Cook and colleagues describe the various timeframes it may take for an individual to become infected depending upon the tick-borne pathogen.
Round bodies, blebs and biofilms in Lyme disease
In a recent study entitled “Pleomorphic Variants of Borreliella (syn. Borrelia) burgdorferi Express Evolutionary Distinct Transcriptomes,” investigators describe several pleomorphic forms which develop along Borrelia burgdorferi’s lifecycle. Their biological and medical relevance, however, is unknown.
Intravenous antibiotics helpful for PTLDS
Post Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) can develop in patients even after receiving antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease. Although the exact cause of PTLDS is unknown, it could be due to a persistent infection. PTLDS is characterized by fatigue, pain and cognitive difficulties.
What does Borrelia miyamotoi cause?
Borrelia miyamotoi is a co-infection that can be transmitted by the same tick that carries Lyme disease. B. miyamotoi can lead to Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD). In their article “Borrelia miyamotoi: A Comprehensive Review,” Cleveland and colleagues reviewed the clinical manifestations of BMD. [1]
Fatal case of Heartland Virus
The Heartland virus (HRTV) is an emerging tick-borne illness which can be acquired through the bite of an infected Lone Star tick. The virus was first reported in 2009 in Missouri. Since then, it has spread to other states including Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New York, and North Carolina, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Borrelia miyamotoi can be transmitted from mother ticks to offspring
Lyme disease and Borrelia miyamotoi can be transmitted from a tick to a host and vice versa (horizontal transmission). B. miyamotoi can also be transmitted from the mother to their offspring (vertical transmission).
Pacemakers for Lyme carditis
Some patients with Lyme carditis (LC) require implantation of a pacemaker. Yeung and Baranchuk discussed the need for “preventing unnecessary implantation of permanent pacemakers in otherwise healthy young individuals” in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2019.
Similarities of Long-COVID and Lyme disease in children
Both COVID-19 and Lyme disease can lead to long term illness in children. In their article, “Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations,” Davis and colleagues summarized the symptoms of Long-COVID in children. [1]
Stroke associated with Lyme disease in a 59-year-old man
Stroke is a rare presentation of Lyme disease with only 5 cases reported in the U.S. But a recent study reminds us of the importance of considering Lyme disease in the differential diagnosis “in patients who present with stroke or acute confusional state in endemic areas for Lyme disease.”[1]
Increasing spread of Lyme disease in Europe
The number of Lyme disease cases continues to climb in the U.S. and Europe despite preventative measures. A new study examines the prevalence of Lyme disease in Greece, a country that has questioned its existence.
