Lyme Science Blog

Atypical Lyme Disease Rash With Negative Testing A Lyme disease rash may not look like a bull’s-eye Negative testing does not always exclude early Lyme disease Recognition of atypical rashes may improve diagnosis and treatment An atypical Lyme disease rash may appear very different from the classic bull’s-eye rash many clinicians expect. Khanna and colleagues […]

Muscle Weakness and Constipation—Could It Be Lyme Disease? Muscle weakness and constipation in Lyme disease may be caused by neurologic and autonomic nervous system dysfunction—even when imaging and gastrointestinal testing appear normal. This pattern can be confusing because patients often undergo extensive gastrointestinal evaluations before Lyme disease is considered. For a broader overview, see Lyme

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 Diaphragm Paralysis: A Rare Cause of Breathing Problems Diaphragm paralysis as a complication of Lyme disease was first reported in 1986. Since then fewer than five cases of bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis from probable Lyme neuroborreliosis have been documented — making this a rare but important presentation to recognize. For a broader overview of

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)

Lyme Meningitis Symptoms: Can Lyme Disease Cause Meningitis? Lyme disease can cause meningitis in some patients Confusion, weakness, fatigue, and cognitive changes may occur Neurologic Lyme disease should remain in the differential diagnosis Lyme meningitis symptoms can include headache, fatigue, weakness, confusion, neurologic changes, and sometimes dementia-like symptoms. In some cases, Lyme disease may present

Borrelia antibodies found in patients with coronary heart disease How many patients who underwent surgery for coronary heart disease (CHD) had evidence of a prior infection with Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacterium which causes Lyme disease)? A study by Pietruszka and colleagues, “Serologic Status of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Patients with Cardiovascular Changes,” sought to

Can Lyme Disease Trigger Autoimmune Disease Like Lupus? Can infection trigger autoimmunity? In rare cases, Lyme disease may contribute to immune dysregulation. Lupus-like symptoms can sometimes emerge after infection. Lyme disease may trigger autoimmune disease in some patients, including conditions such as lupus. In rare cases, infection with Borrelia burgdorferi may contribute to immune dysregulation

Lyme Carditis: Complete Heart Block May Be an Early Sign Lyme carditis can cause heart block, fainting, and palpitations Symptoms may appear even when classic Lyme signs are absent Early recognition may prevent unnecessary permanent pacemaker placement Lyme carditis often presents with non-specific symptoms, such as lightheadedness, syncope, dyspnea, palpitations, and chest pain, the authors

Lyme Disease and Vision Loss: When It Mimics Giant Cell Arteritis Sudden vision loss is a medical emergency. But the cause is not always clear. This is where Lyme disease can be missed. Lyme disease can cause vision problems, including rare cases of sudden vision loss—sometimes mimicking other serious conditions such as giant cell arteritis