Lyme Science Blog

Mother Describes Challenges in Getting Treatment for Newborn with Lyme Disease A newborn with Lyme disease can present with subtle symptoms that are easy to overlook. In a published case report, a mother described the frightening experience of seeking treatment for her infant after noticing a tick and early signs of illness. Her account highlights […]

Cascade of Unnecessary Tests: When Lyme Goes Undiagnosed Cascade of care in Lyme disease often occurs when the correct diagnosis is missed. Patients with fatigue, neurologic symptoms, joint pain, or cognitive dysfunction may undergo extensive testing across multiple specialties before Lyme disease is considered. Instead of unnecessary tests triggering the cascade, the cascade begins because

Lyme Disease and Anesthesia Considerations Lyme disease anesthesia considerations are important for patients undergoing surgical procedures. Undiagnosed Lyme disease, neurologic involvement, and cardiac complications can affect perioperative management and anesthetic choices. In her article “Lyme Disease and Anesthesia Considerations,” Smit discusses several issues anesthetic practitioners should consider when caring for patients with Lyme disease. Key

Successful removal of pacemakers in patients with Lyme carditis Reversible heart block from Lyme disease means patients may not need permanent pacemakers for life. Two cases demonstrate successful removal of permanent pacemakers after antibiotic treatment restored normal cardiac conduction. Both patients maintained 1:1 conduction at heart rates exceeding 120 beats per minute during exercise stress

‘Near-universal’ negative experiences with healthcare providers reported by Lyme disease patients “Healthcare providers frequently struggle to provide effective care to patients with chronic Lyme-associated symptoms…potentially causing these patients to feel misunderstood or neglected by the healthcare system,” the authors wrote. They listed 6 themes that emerged from the participants experiences: Late diagnosis, abandonment, loss, unpredictability,

Lyme Meningitis Leading to Hyponatremia (SIADH) Hyponatremia from Lyme disease can signal underlying neuroborreliosis causing syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion. An 83-year-old woman developed persistent low sodium levels (125-126 mmol/L) initially attributed to blood pressure medication, but after one month of diagnostic confusion and medication changes, a lumbar puncture finally revealed Lyme meningitis

Lyme Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Impact on Quality of Life Patients with both Lyme arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis may experience worse joint pain, reduced mobility, and poorer quality of life compared with those who have rheumatoid arthritis alone. A recent study found that infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, can worsen

Bullous Erythema Migrans: An Atypical Lyme Disease Rash Erythema migrans rash does not always appear as the classic bull’s-eye lesion associated with Lyme disease. Several reports have described urticarial, linear, granulomatous, and bullous variants, which can lead to misidentification, delayed diagnosis, and delayed treatment. In their article, “Vesiculobullous Lyme disease: A case series,” the authors

Doxycycline After Tick Bite: Does It Prevent Lyme? A single dose of doxycycline is often recommended after a tick bite to prevent Lyme disease. However, the evidence supporting this strategy is limited and primarily shows a reduction in the Lyme disease rash known as erythema migrans rather than reliable prevention of Lyme disease itself. Key

Fatal Babesiosis: When a Tick-Borne Infection Turns Deadly Fatal babesiosis is uncommon but well documented. While many cases occur in older or immunocompromised patients, severe infection can occasionally develop in individuals without classic risk factors. In this case report, a man without asplenia or advanced age died from babesiosis despite receiving appropriate treatment. Key Point: