Lyme Science Blog

Can Lyme Disease Cause Myositis? MUSCLE SWELLING? LYME DISEASE CAN RARELY CAUSE MYOSITIS Yes—Lyme disease can rarely cause myositis, a condition involving inflammation of muscle tissue. In some cases, muscle swelling or eye symptoms may be the first sign of infection. This condition—sometimes referred to as Lyme myositis—is an uncommon but important manifestation of infection. […]

Lyme Carditis Symptoms: When Heart Block Is the Only Clue No rash. No joint pain. Only heart block. Lyme carditis symptoms can be difficult to recognize when patients do not have the classic signs of Lyme disease. In some cases, an abnormal heart rhythm may be the only clue. This case highlights a 70-year-old man

Lyme Disease Biofilm: Round Bodies, Blebs, and Persistence Clusters of bacteria protecting themselves? Reduced response to treatment? Biofilms are one possible explanation under study. Lyme disease biofilm formation may help explain how Borrelia burgdorferi persists in the body despite treatment. Quick Answer: Borrelia burgdorferi can shift into different forms—including round bodies, blebs, and biofilms—which may

Do IV Antibiotics Help PTLDS? What the Research Shows Quick Answer: Intravenous antibiotics may improve certain symptoms—particularly fatigue—in some patients with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), but results are mixed and not all symptoms improve. Clinical Insight: Some studies suggest benefit from IV ceftriaxone, raising important questions about whether persistent symptoms reflect ongoing infection in

Borrelia miyamotoi Symptoms: Mild in Some, Severe in Others Symptoms may be mild or missed Flu-like illness is common Severe neurologic disease can occur Risk is higher if immunocompromised Borrelia miyamotoi symptoms can range from mild flu-like illness to severe neurologic disease, depending on the patient’s immune status. According to Cleveland and colleagues, immunocompetent individuals

Fatal Heartland Virus Infection in the Mid-Atlantic Region Heartland virus infection is an emerging tick-borne disease that can lead to severe illness and death. Although most cases have historically been reported in the Midwest and southern United States, investigators have now documented a fatal Heartland virus infection acquired in the Mid-Atlantic region. In their article

Borrelia Miyamotoi Ticks: Mother to Offspring Transmission Borrelia miyamotoi ticks can transmit the infection in multiple ways. In their article “Borrelia miyamotoi: A Comprehensive Review. Pathogens,” Cleveland and colleagues discuss Borrelia miyamotoi as an emerging tick-borne pathogen and how it can be transmitted from a mother tick to their offspring. Vertical transmission in Borrelia miyamotoi

Pacemakers for Lyme Carditis PACEMAKER NEEDED—OR LYME CARDITIS? HEART BLOCK FROM LYME DISEASE IS OFTEN REVERSIBLE Start here: Learn when heart symptoms may signal Lyme in our Lyme carditis guide. Pacemakers for Lyme carditis may be required when Lyme disease disrupts the heart’s electrical system—but in many cases, the condition is reversible. A patient presents

Similarities of Long-COVID and Lyme disease in children The authors explored the current Long-COVID literature, and specifically addressed the cardiovascular, thrombotic and cerebrovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and dysautonomia seen in Long-COVID. The authors did not include Lyme disease in their discussion. “One study found that fatigue, headache, dizziness, dyspnoea,

Stroke associated with Lyme disease in a 59-year-old man The study entitled “Ischemic Stroke With Hemorrhagic Conversion in a Case of Lyme Neuroborreliosis” by Sathi and colleagues describes the case of a 59-year-old man who presented to a hospital in Florida with ischemic stroke with aphasia and acute confusion that had been ongoing for two