Lyme Science Blog

Can Lyme Disease Cause a Heart Murmur? HEART SYMPTOMS? LYME DISEASE CAN AFFECT THE HEART—RARELY THE VALVES Yes—Lyme disease can affect the heart and, in rare cases, may lead to a heart murmur. In some cases, heart symptoms may be one of the first signs of Lyme carditis. A heart murmur in Lyme disease may […]

Can One Tick Bite Cause Multiple Infections? A single tick bite may transmit multiple pathogens. Coinfections can complicate diagnosis and treatment. This case involved Lyme disease, Babesia, and Anaplasmosis. Tick bite coinfections are more common than many realize. A single tick can transmit multiple pathogens simultaneously, leading to complex illness that may be difficult to

Lyme Disease vs Bell’s Palsy: When Facial Paralysis Is Misdiagnosed Facial paralysis may be an early sign of Lyme disease Lyme neuroborreliosis can be mistaken for Bell’s palsy Delayed recognition may postpone neurologic treatment Bell’s palsy is often considered an isolated facial nerve disorder. But in some patients, facial paralysis may actually be an early

Can Lyme Disease Cause Bone Loss? Bone loss in Lyme disease is not widely recognized. But infection, inflammation, and reduced activity may all play a role. Early research suggests a possible connection. Quick Answer: Lyme disease is not a well-established cause of bone loss, but early research and case reports suggest that Borrelia burgdorferi infection

Does Lyme carditis differ in children vs. adults? The authors analyzed charts of pediatric and adult patients with heart block and a positive Western Blot test for Lyme disease, who were hospitalized at Maine Medical Center. The study included 10 children and 20 adults who were admitted for Lyme carditis between January 2010 and December

Lyme Disease in Germany: Delayed Diagnosis and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Patients reported years before diagnosis. Brain fog and depression were common. Many experienced relapse after treatment. Lyme disease in Germany may be associated with delayed diagnosis, cognitive symptoms, poor quality of life, and neuropsychiatric complications, according to a study of 252 patients. Researchers used an online

Autopsy Finds Lyme Disease Spirochetes in Patient With Lewy Body Dementia A woman diagnosed with Lyme disease at 54 later developed Lewy body dementia. An autopsy confirmed Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes in her brain and spinal cord. Whether the infection caused or contributed to her dementia remains an open question — but one clinicians should consider.

Borrelia miyamotoi: A Fast-Spreading Tick-Borne Infection Carried by the same ticks as Lyme disease Can be transmitted faster than Lyme Often missed due to overlapping symptoms Borrelia miyamotoi (B. miyamotoi) was first reported in the United States in 2013 and has since become increasingly recognized as a human pathogen. It is transmitted by the same

Babesia Positive Test But No Treatment: What This Case Reveals Positive Babesia tests can create treatment uncertainty Coinfections may complicate interpretation of symptoms Delayed treatment decisions may carry risks In his article, Wormser discusses the case of a 61-year-old woman who went untreated for a Babesia infection despite positive test results. The patient, who lives

First Report: Babesia odocoilei Causes Babesiosis in Humans Babesia odocoilei may cause persistent babesiosis symptoms in humans Researchers identified the parasite using PCR testing and DNA sequencing Some patients experienced relapsing symptoms despite treatment Babesia odocoilei has been identified in two individuals based on PCR testing and DNA sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene, writes