Fatal babesia is a reality that many doctors fail to recognize until it’s too late. Babesia symptoms can be wide-ranging and difficult to recognize by clinicians, and a missed or delayed diagnosis can be deadly. In hopes of raising awareness, one family shares their story of a Babesia diagnosis that came just a little too […]
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A 42-year-old man from New York City received a Lyme carditis diagnosis after quarantining in upstate New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. The case is discussed in the article “A curious case of Lyme carditis in an urban hospital,” by Brissett et al. 1 “Lyme carditis was a surprise diagnosis in our hospital due to the
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In their article “Underrecognized Tickborne Illnesses: Borrelia Miyamotoi and Powassan Virus,” Della-Giustina et al. explain what is the Powassan virus and why it’s raising concerns. “We chose to review the Powassan virus because it only requires 15 min. of tick attachment for transmission, and the sequelae of the neurologic disease are devastating, in addition to
What is the Powassan virus? Read More »
Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is often thought to be an autoimmune disease, but is, in fact, a systemic auto-inflammatory condition, believed to be caused by an over-reactive immune response to an infection, such as Lyme disease. As Cimmino points out, both diseases share several clinical characteristics.¹ Still’s disease can cause “a triad of high fever,
Can Lyme disease trigger an autoimmune disease? Read More »
According to the American Lung Association, an “infection or exposure to something in the environment can trigger the immune system to overreact,” resulting in sarcoidosis.¹ In a 2018 study, van Dee and colleagues suggest that Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease bacterium, may be one of those infectious pathogens capable of triggering sarcoidosis. ² Their study
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Tick bites on children are more common than most parents realize — and a 2021 study confirms kids under 9 face the highest risk.A study published in April 2021 looked at the frequency of emergency room visits due to tick bites. The authors examined “ED tick bite visits during January 2017-December 2019 by sex, age
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Can Powassan virus encephalitis or other neurologic damage affect everyone who is infected? The Powassan virus (POWV) can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes and is spread primarily through the bite of an infected deer tick. There is no treatment for the Powassan virus, yet it can cause devastating neurologic damage including encephalitis,
Powassan Virus Encephalitis: Does It Affect Everyone? Read More »
A study by Eisen and colleagues addressed a frequently asked question: “How long does it take to get Lyme disease?” According to their findings, the probability of an individual becoming infected with Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), the pathogen which causes Lyme disease, increases the longer the tick is attached. [1] Researchers found the risk increases: Approximately
How long does it take to get Lyme disease? Read More »
This case report describes an elderly woman from Maine, who was diagnosed post-mortem with a rare deer tick virus, known as the Powassan virus. The 72-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with myalgias, chills, and an erythema migrans rash on her left scapula. She reportedly had 2 tick bites over the course of one
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Ticks can be tested for the Lyme disease bacteria and other tick-borne pathogens. But the accuracy of test results may depend on whether the tick is engorged. A study by Gasmi et al. found that results may not be accurate when testing ticks which are engorged. [1] The authors examined 4,596 I. scapularis (blacklegged) ticks
Can a tick be tested for Lyme disease? Read More »
