Lyme Science Blog

Can anaplasmosis cause heart problems? Anaplasmosis heart problems can include myopericarditis and atrial fibrillation. In their article, “Case report: human granulocytic anaplasmosis causes acute myopericarditis with atrial fibrillation,” Levy et al. describe the case of a 65-year-old man who presented to the emergency room with fever and malaise, which had persisted for one week.¹ An […]

Can Lyme disease cause speech issues? WORD-FINDING TROUBLE—BUT YOU KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY? COULD IT BE LYME DISEASE? “I know what I want to say—but I can’t find the words.” Some patients with Lyme disease describe a frustrating change in speech. Words feel just out of reach. Conversations slow down. Thoughts don’t come

Black Children More Likely to Be Diagnosed Later With Lyme Disease Studies suggest that Black children may be more likely to receive a later diagnosis of Lyme disease compared with white children. Delayed recognition of early Lyme disease may contribute to higher rates of disseminated infection at the time of diagnosis. One study found that

What Does an Erythema Migrans (EM) Rash Look Like? Not Always a Bull’s-Eye DOES A LYME RASH HAVE TO BE A BULL’S-EYE? MOST DON’T. THAT’S WHY THEY’RE MISSED. An erythema migrans (EM) rash is the most common early sign of Lyme disease—but it does not always look like a bull’s-eye. An erythema migrans rash is

Lyme Disease and Pregnancy: Risks, Symptoms, and What to Do Lyme disease during pregnancy raises questions. Symptoms can be subtle or missed. And the risks are still being studied. Lyme disease pregnancy is an area of ongoing research, with important questions about risks to both mother and child. In one large international survey, participants with

How common is Lyme carditis in patients referred for pacemaker implantation? In the study “Prevalence of Lyme Carditis in Patients with Atrioventricular Blocks,” Kaczmarek and colleagues aim to identify patients in whom Lyme carditis (LC) should be considered as the underlying cause of AV conduction disturbances.¹ Investigators examined 130 patients with AVB who had been

Chronic Babesia: Why Some Infections Won’t Clear Chronic Babesia infection can persist or relapse despite treatment—especially in immunocompromised patients. Quick Answer: Chronic Babesia infection can continue for months or years when the immune system cannot fully clear the parasite. Relapse is common, and treatment often requires combination therapy and extended duration. Start here: For a

Top Lyme Disease Blogs of 2022 These top Lyme disease blogs of 2022 were the most popular articles for readers during the year. The list highlights important clinical insights about Lyme disease, Babesia, Borrelia miyamotoi, anaplasmosis, and other tick-borne illnesses. Click on the headline to read the full blog. Top Lyme Disease Blogs of 2022

Can Lyme Disease Affect the Thyroid? What to Know About Thyroiditis Can Lyme disease affect the thyroid? In rare cases, infection with Borrelia burgdorferi has been associated with autoimmune thyroiditis—raising important questions about how infection may influence immune function. Lyme disease and thyroid problems may occasionally occur together, particularly when infection triggers inflammation affecting multiple

Lyme Arthritis vs Septic Arthritis in Children: When MRI Can Prevent Unnecessary Surgery Symptoms can overlap closely Children may appear seriously ill Misdiagnosis can lead to surgery MRI may help guide decisions Distinguishing Lyme arthritis vs septic arthritis in children can be difficult. Both conditions may present with similar symptoms, leading to diagnostic uncertainty and,