Lyme Science Blog

Lyme Disease Mistaken for Dementia: When Confusion Is Reversible Confusion and memory loss in older adults may be mistaken for dementia. Lyme neuroborreliosis can cause reversible cognitive decline when treated early. Spinal fluid findings and CXCL13 may help distinguish infection from neurodegeneration. Can Lyme disease mimic dementia? Yes. In some cases, confusion, memory loss, and […]

Lyme Carditis Heart Block Progression Can Occur Within Hours Heart block from Lyme disease can worsen rapidly. A normal EKG may not stay normal for long. Continuous cardiac monitoring can be lifesaving. Lyme carditis heart block progression can occur with alarming speed. Two cases show conduction deteriorating from normal rhythm or first-degree block to complete

Babesiosis Missed Diagnosis: Persistent Fever After Tick Bite Persistent fever may signal Babesia. Lyme treatment alone may not be enough. Co-infections can be missed. 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

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

Why Doctors Get Frustrated With Lyme Disease Patients Patients feel dismissed Doctors feel uncertain Testing creates confusion Education gaps persist Doctors frustrated with Lyme disease patients is a growing issue—but the reasons are more complex than they appear. A qualitative study found that many clinicians experience difficulty diagnosing and managing patients with suspected Lyme disease—especially