Lyme Science Blog

Lyme Carditis Heart Block Progression Can Occur Within Hours Lyme carditis heart block progression can occur with alarming speed. Two cases show conduction deteriorating from normal rhythm or first-degree block to complete heart block within hours to overnight. A 33-year-old woman progressed from first-degree to complete block within hours of admission, while a 72-year-old man […]

Babesiosis missed diagnosis can have serious consequences—especially when patients are infected with both Lyme disease and Babesia. This case highlights why clinicians must consider tick-borne co-infections in endemic areas. The woman had a three-week history of fever (maximum temperature 104°F), chills, nausea, and a productive cough with yellow sputum. Six weeks before the onset of

Top 10 Podcasts for 2021!   1.) Involuntary body movements due to Lyme disease dismissed as psychosomatic A man in his 70’s had an abrupt onset of involuntary body movements, including jerks in his left arm. Doctors initially dismissed him as having a functional disorder. However, his involuntary body movements were due to Lyme disease.

Top 10 Lyme disease blogs for 2021!   1.)  Should Lyme disease patients with an impaired immune system get the COVID-19 vaccine? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted mRNA COVID-19 vaccination considerations for people who have a weakened immune system. “People with HIV and those with weakened immune systems due to other

Pediatric Lyme Disease Seasonality in Endemic Regions A study examining pediatric Lyme disease seasonality found that most children in endemic regions present during the summer months. However, the findings also raise questions about how Lyme disease is diagnosed in children and how many cases may be overlooked. The study’s objective was to evaluate the seasonality

Lyme Disease Patients and Physicians: Different Points of View The relationship between Lyme disease patients and physicians can become strained when symptoms persist but clear diagnostic findings are lacking. A study by Raffetin and colleagues explored the perceptions, experiences, and frustrations of patients with suspected Lyme disease who had nonspecific symptoms without objective clinical findings.

High cost of treating Lyme arthritis in children with surgery In their article “The Impact of Operative Intervention in Pediatric Lyme Arthritis,” Tout et al. described 149 children admitted to a tertiary care children’s hospital in Pennsylvania who had been diagnosed with Lyme arthritis between 2008 and 2018.¹ All of the children met the CDC

Powassan Virus Meningoencephalitis: Case Report This Powassan virus meningoencephalitis case describes a patient who presented to the hospital with fevers, headaches, fatigue, and a history of night sweats, according to the case report, “Powassan Meningoencephalitis: A Case Report Highlighting Diagnosis and Management.” He had a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Lyme disease, and reactive

Physician Frustration With Lyme Disease Patients Some physicians report frustration when caring for patients with Lyme disease or suspected tick-borne illness. In a qualitative study, clinicians described challenges in counseling patients who arrive with strong beliefs about Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment. “Providers described challenges and frustrations in counseling patients with strong preconceptions of Lyme

Mitral valve dysfunction from Lyme carditis The 22-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with cardiac problems. He suffered from morbid obesity and  complained of chest pain and lightheadedness for several days. During his examination, he was sweaty with a fast pulse of 115. He also reported having an erythema migrans (EM) rash. Clinicians initially