Lyme Science Blog

Does Lyme disease affect the brain? In their article entitled Common Neurologic Features of Lyme Disease That May Present to a Rheumatologist, Govil et al. describe the various ways that Lyme disease can affect the brain. The authors hope to make rheumatologists aware of the most common neurologic presentations of Lyme disease.1 Key Point: Neurologic […]

Abnormal MRI leads to Lyme encephalitis diagnosis In their article “Lyme neuroborreliosis with encephalitis: A rare case,” Rosendahl and colleagues describe a 74-year-old immunocompromised woman, who was admitted to the hospital with confusion, paranoid delusions, weight loss, back pains, and a history of fever and vomiting suspect of cancer and infection of unknown origin.¹ The

Borrelia Miyamotoi California: First Documented Human Case Borrelia miyamotoi California cases are now being documented. “Although B. miyamotoi has been identified in ticks in California for more than 20 years, locally acquired human cases within the western United States have not been described [in the literature],” according to Rubio et al. In this case report,

Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) for Lyme Disease In their article “Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) as a Potential Treatment for Viral Infections and Lyme Disease: Preliminary Results,” Apostolou and colleagues describe findings from a study evaluating the potential role of Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) in patients with viral infections and Lyme disease.1 The study included 115

Tick control methods not effective in residential neighborhoods In their study, “Impacts Over Time of Neighborhood-Scale Interventions to Control Ticks and Tick-Borne Disease Incidence,” Ostfeld and colleagues examined the effectiveness of tick control methods in 24 residential neighborhoods endemic for Lyme disease in New York.¹ The study, conducted over several years, assessed the impact of

Temporary Pacemaker for Lyme Carditis: Avoiding Permanent Implants A temporary permanent pacemaker allowed a 31-year-old man with Lyme carditis to recover at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, avoiding prolonged hospitalization while his heart block resolved. The approach offers a safe middle ground between traditional temporary pacing and unnecessary permanent pacemakers. By Dr. Daniel Cameron Key

Does Skin Color Affect Lyme Disease Diagnosis? So, how prepared are medical students to properly diagnose patients of all races and ethnicities? Do they have the diagnostic ability and confidence to recognize conditions such as Lyme disease in individuals with non-white skin? In the study “The impact of patient skin colour on diagnostic ability and

Alpha-Gal Syndrome Foods to Avoid (Red Meat Allergy from Tick Bites) Alpha-gal syndrome foods to avoid include beef, pork, lamb, and other mammalian products. This tick-borne allergy develops after a Lone Star tick bite and causes delayed reactions to red meat 2–6 hours after eating. Unlike typical food allergies that cause immediate symptoms, alpha-gal reactions

Case report: Lyme disease causes inflammation of the spinal cord In their article “Case report: Subacute transverse myelitis with gait preservation secondary to Lyme disease and a review of the literature,” Colot and colleagues describe a 10-year-old boy who suffered from neck pain with irradiation in the upper limbs for 13 days. Transverse myelitis (TM)

Dr. Cameron’s Lyme Disease Toolbox Dr. Cameron’s Lyme disease toolbox brings together videos, blogs, podcasts, and expert discussions designed to help patients and clinicians better understand Lyme disease, co-infections, diagnosis, and treatment decisions. Dr. Daniel Cameron is a board-certified physician and former president of the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) with more than