September 2, 2026

Can Acrodermatitis Chronica Atrophicans Occur in the United States? Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans is a late skin manifestation of Lyme disease It has traditionally been associated primarily with European Lyme disease A 2026 U.S. case series challenges the assumption that European travel is always necessary Can acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans occur in the United States? Yes, although […]

Who Is Really at Higher Risk for Lyme Disease? Lyme disease risk is not the same for everyone Children and older adults repeatedly show higher rates Gardening, walking, outdoor work, pets, and everyday environments can all shape opportunities for tick exposure Who is really at higher risk for Lyme disease? The simplest answer is that

Does a Tick Bite Change the Immune Response to Lyme Disease? A tick bite does more than deliver Borrelia Tick feeding can alter the early immune environment A 2026 mouse study found a different response with natural transmission Does a tick bite change the immune response to Lyme disease? A 2026 laboratory study suggests that

Can Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Be Transmitted Quickly After a Tick Bite? TBE virus can be transmitted rapidly after a tick attaches A 2026 review reports transmission within 15 minutes Transmission timing differs among tick-borne infections Can tick-borne encephalitis virus be transmitted quickly after a tick bite? Yes. Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) can be transmitted rapidly

Can Lyme Disease Affect the Heart in Ways Other Than Heart Block? Heart block is the classic cardiac manifestation of Lyme disease Arrhythmias, myocarditis, and pericarditis have also been reported A 2026 review describes a broader spectrum of cardiovascular involvement Can Lyme disease affect the heart in ways other than heart block? Yes. Atrioventricular (AV)

Can an Anaplasmosis Blood Test Be Negative Early in the Illness? Anaplasmosis antibody tests may be negative during the first week Whole-blood PCR can help detect infection before antibodies appear Treatment should not be delayed when anaplasmosis is strongly suspected Can an anaplasmosis blood test be negative early in the illness? Yes. Antibody tests for

Can Babesiosis Be More Dangerous in People With Sickle Cell Disease? Babesiosis and sickle cell disease both affect red blood cells Hemolysis can become more complicated when the conditions overlap Frequent transfusions create an additional route of Babesia exposure Can babesiosis be more dangerous in people with sickle cell disease? Potentially. People with sickle cell

Could Lyme Disease Play a Role in Alzheimer’s Disease? Lyme disease is not an established cause of Alzheimer’s disease Researchers are studying possible links involving neuroinflammation, amyloid, and tau Current evidence shows association, not causation Could Lyme disease play a role in Alzheimer’s disease? Researchers are investigating that possibility, but the evidence does not establish

Why Is Lyme Disease Harder to Diagnose Without a Rash? Lyme disease can occur without a recognized rash Without erythema migrans, diagnosis may take longer A 2026 study found a significant difference in diagnostic delay Why is Lyme disease harder to diagnose without a rash? An erythema migrans (EM) rash can provide an important early

Can Babesiosis Be Severe Even With Low Parasitemia? Low Babesia parasitemia does not always mean mild illness A healthy 32-year-old developed a rare life-threatening inflammatory complication Clinical severity may not always match the parasite count Can babesiosis be severe even when very few red blood cells appear to be infected? A 2026 case report suggests