Lyme Science Blog

Can Lyme Disease Trigger Sarcoidosis? The relationship between Lyme disease and sarcoidosis has drawn increasing interest among researchers. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disorder characterized by granulomas—clusters of immune cells that can affect multiple organs, most commonly the lungs and lymph nodes. According to the American Lung Association, an “infection or exposure to something in the […]

Tick Bites on Children: Why Prevention Is Failing Tick bites on children are more common than many parents realize. A 2021 study found that children younger than 9 years old account for the highest number of emergency department visits related to tick bites. A study published in April 2021 examined emergency department (ED) visits for

Powassan Virus Encephalitis: Does It Affect Everyone? Can Powassan virus encephalitis or other neurologic damage affect everyone who becomes infected? The Powassan virus (POWV) can be transmitted in as little as 15 minutes and is spread primarily through the bite of an infected deer tick. There is currently no specific treatment for Powassan virus infection,

How Long Does It Take to Get Lyme Disease After a Tick Bite? A study by Eisen and colleagues addressed a frequently asked question: How long does it take to get Lyme disease? According to their findings, the probability of becoming infected with Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb)—the bacterium that causes Lyme disease—increases the longer an infected

Maine woman dies from deer tick virus This case report describes an elderly woman from Maine, who was diagnosed post-mortem with a rare deer tick virus, known as the Powassan virus. The 72-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with myalgias, chills, and an erythema migrans rash on her left scapula. She reportedly had 2

Can Ticks Be Tested for Lyme Disease? Ticks can be tested for Lyme disease and other tick-borne pathogens. Laboratories may analyze a removed tick for Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease. However, the accuracy of tick testing may depend on whether the tick is engorged. A study by Gasmi et al. found that

Can Lyme Disease Cause Stomach Pain? Stomach pain can be a symptom of Lyme disease. In some cases, severe abdominal pain is not caused by a gastrointestinal disorder at all but by neurologic Lyme disease affecting the nerves that supply the abdominal wall. In one reported case, stomach pain from Lyme disease sent a 71-year-old

What repels ticks naturally? As the number of tick-borne diseases grows and the geographical spread of ticks continues, there is an increasing interest in what repels ticks naturally and which products are effective and safe to use. Little is known about exactly how ticks detect odors and what smells repel them. “Improving our understanding of

Lyme disease protein tricks immune system, ignites arthritis Lyme disease patients often struggle with ongoing symptoms including arthritis. Findings from this latest study are a “testament to how unique this bacterium is — and how we need to keep working to understand more about what is going on behind the scenes in order to develop

Patient with facial palsy from Lyme disease fails treatment In this case report, Hareem and colleagues describe a 71-year-old man with facial palsy from Lyme disease who failed treatment. The authors offer an inside look at what led up to the failed treatment.¹ Steroids associated with treatment failure? The man was initially treated in August