Borrelia miyamotoi: What You Need to Know

NO RASH?
A DIFFERENT TICK-BORNE
INFECTION THAN LYME

Borrelia miyamotoi is a tick-borne infection that may be overlooked because it presents differently from Lyme disease.

It is transmitted by the same ticks that spread Lyme disease but often presents differently.

Unlike Lyme disease, Borrelia miyamotoi infection does not typically cause a bull’s-eye rash, which may make recognition more difficult.

This difference may lead to missed diagnoses, particularly in patients without a classic Lyme presentation.

Because of these differences, Borrelia miyamotoi may be underdiagnosed in patients with tick exposure and persistent symptoms.

Why Borrelia miyamotoi Matters

Borrelia miyamotoi is an emerging tick-borne infection that can resemble Lyme disease but often lacks a characteristic rash. Patients may present with relapsing fever, fatigue, and nonspecific symptoms, making diagnosis challenging.

Because it is transmitted by the same ticks that carry Lyme disease, Borrelia miyamotoi should be considered in patients with tick exposure who test negative for Lyme but remain symptomatic.

This hub brings together key articles on symptoms, diagnosis, transmission, and treatment.

Understanding Borrelia miyamotoi

– What is Borrelia miyamotoi?
– What does Borrelia miyamotoi cause?
– Could Borrelia miyamotoi infections explain persistent symptoms in Lyme disease patients?

Diagnosis and Testing

– C6 peptide test may indicate Borrelia miyamotoi infection
– Blood smear not reliable in diagnosing Borrelia miyamotoi disease
– Doctors face challenges in diagnosing Borrelia miyamotoi
– Don’t count on a relapsing fever to diagnose Borrelia miyamotoi
– Where is the FDA test for relapsing fever spirochete, Borrelia miyamotoi?

Treatment

– The best antibiotics to treat Borrelia miyamotoi?

Transmission

– Borrelia miyamotoi can be transmitted from mother ticks to offspring
– Study finds tiny larval ticks can transmit Borrelia miyamotoi
– Larval ticks may be a threat after all — insights based on study of Borrelia miyamotoi
– Move over nymphal ticks, larval deer ticks now pose a threat

Case Reports and Research

– Borrelia miyamotoi infection: An emerging tick-borne disease in California
– Meningoencephalitis due to Borrelia miyamotoi
– Borrelia miyamotoi detected in Canada
– Borrelia miyamotoi disease can be added to list of traveler’s concerns
– Review: Borrelia miyamotoi

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Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.

Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention