Lyme Science Blog

How Effective Is Permethrin-Treated Clothing in Preventing Tick Bites? Permethrin-treated clothing can reduce tick contact, but effectiveness declines with wear and washing. A study by Connally and colleagues examined how wearing and repeated washing affect the ability of permethrin-treated clothing to repel and kill Ixodes scapularis nymphs. Investigators exposed ticks to treated clothing for 30 […]

Are Southern Nymphal Deer Ticks Hiding? Southern nymphal deer ticks may behave differently than those in the Northeast, potentially reducing human exposure. In their article, Tietjen and colleagues from Texas A&M University explored whether immature stages of Ixodes scapularis reside in leaf litter or soil rather than on vegetation. Researchers collected samples of leaf litter,

Lyme Disease Mimics Prosthetic Joint Infection After Knee Replacement Lyme disease can mimic prosthetic joint infection, leading to unnecessary surgery and delayed diagnosis. An 83-year-old man from Pennsylvania was admitted with knee pain, erythema, and fever for 3 days. Examination revealed a moderate effusion and limited range of motion in a knee that had undergone

Delayed Babesia Diagnosis: Why Follow-Up Visits Matter A delayed Babesia diagnosis can occur when symptoms emerge after initial Lyme disease treatment, highlighting the importance of follow-up care. Doctors treated a 67-year-old woman for early Lyme disease with a 21-day course of amoxicillin after she presented with an erythema migrans rash. (She was allergic to doxycycline.)

Mono and Lyme Disease Can Occur Together Patients can have both mono and Lyme disease at the same time, and misdiagnosis can delay appropriate treatment. These conditions are often viewed as separate illnesses, with reports suggesting that each can mimic the other. However, a study by Koester and colleagues describes cases where Lyme disease and

Infected Ticks in Urban Areas in the United Kingdom Infected ticks in urban areas are an emerging concern, as studies show significant Lyme disease risk even in city environments. A recent study by Medlock and colleagues highlights the growing public health threat of Lyme disease in the United Kingdom. “There has been an increase in

Babesia Combination Therapy: First-Line Treatment Options Babesia combination therapy is essential because standard Lyme antibiotics like doxycycline do not treat Babesia infections. Babesia is a parasite, not a bacterium, and requires a different treatment approach—typically involving combination therapy. In an article published in The Nurse Practitioner, Paparone reviews clinical presentations of babesiosis and outlines treatment

Can We Avoid Using a Pacemaker for Lyme Carditis With High-Degree AV Block? Avoiding permanent pacemaker implantation in Lyme carditis can spare young patients years of device-related complications. When Lyme carditis is recognized early, temporary pacing and antibiotics may allow complete recovery without a permanent device. By Dr. Daniel Cameron Why Avoiding Pacemakers Matters Identifying

Heartland Virus Cases: What We Know from 10 Patients Heartland virus cases are increasing, yet this potentially deadly tick-borne illness remains poorly understood. Symptoms overlap with other tick-borne illnesses, including fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Patients typically become ill about two weeks after a tick bite. There is

Lyme Disease Risk for International Travelers to the United States Lyme disease remains a significant risk for international travelers visiting the United States, particularly in endemic regions. “Despite being a top international tourist destination, few sources describe the spectrum of infectious diseases acquired among travellers to the USA,” writes Stoney in the Journal of Travel