Lyme Science Blog

In their article, “Medically Managed Lyme Periprosthetic Joint Infection: A Case Report,” Saar et al. describe the case involving a patient with acute Lyme arthritis which was complicated by a previous total knee arthroplasty. A 68-year-old man living in Virginia presented to a medical clinic with suprapatellar swelling, pain, heat, and mild erythema of the […]

Lone Star Tick Bites: Woman Finds 30 Ticks After Walk in Park MULTIPLE TICK BITES AFTER A WALK? COULD IT BE LONE STAR TICKS? What happens when someone is exposed to multiple lone star tick bites? Quick Answer: Lone star tick bites can cause rashes, fatigue, headaches, and may transmit several infections—including ehrlichiosis, tularemia, and

Lyme Pericarditis With Negative Test Results: Two Cases Chest pain may be the first sign of Lyme disease Early Lyme tests can be negative Prompt treatment is critical to prevent complications In their article, “Lyme-Associated Pericarditis: A Case Report and Literature Review,” Ameer and colleagues describe an 18-year-old man with pericarditis due to Lyme disease.

Lyme Disease Found in Brain Tissue After Years of Symptoms Symptoms persisted for more than a decade Testing was often inconclusive or borderline Autopsy confirmed Borrelia in multiple brain regions In their article, “Concurrent Infection of the Human Brain with Multiple Borrelia Species,” Golovchenko and colleagues describe a striking case involving post-mortem brain analysis in

Lyme Disease or Dementia? A Case of Reversible Cognitive Decline Cognitive decline may not always be dementia — in some cases the cause is infection. Behavioral changes, hallucinations, and confusion can be features of Lyme neuroborreliosis. Some cases of dementia-like illness may be reversible with appropriate antibiotic treatment. Lyme disease or dementia? In some cases,

Atypical Lyme Disease Rash With Negative Testing Rash did not look like a bull’s-eye Lyme testing was initially negative Diagnosis depended on clinical judgment Case: When the Rash and Test Don’t Match A key pattern is mismatch. Lyme disease may be present even when testing is negative and the rash is not typical. In their

Muscle Weakness and Constipation—But Tests Are Normal? Quick Answer: Muscle weakness and constipation in Lyme disease may be caused by neurologic and autonomic nervous system dysfunction—even when imaging and gastrointestinal tests are normal. This is a classic Lyme disease pattern: real symptoms—but normal tests. Why this matters: When muscle weakness and constipation occur together, they

What Lyme Disease Does to the Brain: Brain Fog, MRI, and White Matter Brain fog is common. Standard tests may appear normal. But the brain may still be affected. Lyme disease can affect the brain, particularly in individuals with persistent symptoms after treatment. Patients may experience brain fog, memory problems, slowed thinking, and difficulty concentrating.

Lyme disease causes diaphragm paralysis, resulting in breathing problems According to the authors, diaphragm paralysis as a complication of Lyme disease was first reported in 1986. Since then, there have only been 4 cases involving bilateral paralysis of the diaphragm, which can cause breathing problems in patients.  “… the presented case will be the fifth

Lyme Carditis Causing Chest Pain and High-Grade AV Block Lyme carditis can affect the heart’s electrical system. Chest pain and shortness of breath may signal cardiac complications. A young woman developed persistent high-grade AV block after Lyme disease. Lyme carditis can present with chest pain, shortness of breath, heart rhythm abnormalities, and high-grade atrioventricular (AV)