Lyme Science Blog

Lyme Arthritis After Surgery: Five Reported Cases Lyme arthritis can develop after orthopedic surgery and may be mistaken for postoperative infection. In a review of the medical literature, Hess and colleagues describe five cases in which patients developed Lyme arthritis after joint procedures. Hess et al. reported these cases to highlight an important diagnostic challenge […]

Tick Bites During Pregnancy: A Clinical Perspective Tick bites during pregnancy raise important concerns about Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. Some authors recommend prophylaxis with a single 200 mg dose of doxycycline after a tick bite, suggesting the risk to the unborn baby is low. However, the evidence supporting this recommendation remains limited, and

Babesia in Dogs: What Hunting Dogs Reveal About Human Tick-Borne Disease Risk Babesia in dogs may help predict human risk for tick-borne disease. Investigators studied tick-transmitted infections including Babesia in hunting dogs to determine potential risks to humans. Because dogs and humans share the same outdoor tick habitats, infection patterns in dogs may provide an

Lyme Carditis: A Serious Lyme Disease Complication Lyme carditis is a rare but serious complication of Lyme disease that can slow the heart rate and cause fainting or collapse. In a commentary, renowned vaccine researcher Stanley Plotkin described how Lyme disease suddenly affected his own family. “One day, when traveling in California for a meeting,

POTS and Lyme Disease: Does Standing Worsen Brain Fog? Patients with autoimmune disorders are at risk for POTS, along with individuals who have had a viral illness or serious infection such as Lyme disease. In fact, patients with POTS and Lyme disease often present with similar symptoms. Key Point: Research suggests that patients with POTS

One Dose of Doxycycline for Tick Bite: Is It Enough to Prevent Lyme Disease? One dose of doxycycline after a tick bite is often recommended to prevent Lyme disease. But does this approach actually work — especially in children? A recent article by Carriveau and colleagues in Nursing Clinics of North America raises important questions

Disseminated Lyme Disease in Immunocompromised Patients Disseminated Lyme disease may occur more frequently in patients with weakened immune systems. A small study examined the risk of disseminated Lyme disease among individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Patients with weakened immune systems may be at greater risk for disseminated infection, raising important questions about Lyme disease in immunocompromised

New Lyme Disease Treatments: Dapsone, Disulfiram and Azlocillin New treatments for Lyme disease are being investigated as researchers attempt to understand why some patients continue to experience symptoms after standard antibiotic therapy. Some investigators believe persistent infection, drug-tolerant bacteria, or immune system dysfunction may contribute to ongoing symptoms in a subset of patients. These concerns

Central Sensitization Syndrome Worsens Lyme Disease Symptoms? Central sensitization syndrome (CSS) involves changes in the central nervous system, particularly the brain and spinal cord. This syndrome “is thought to involve hyperactivation of central neurons, leading to various synaptic and neurotransmitter/neuromodulator changes,” writes Batheja. Central sensitization syndrome can lead to widespread pain, fatigue, and sensory hypersensitivity