Lyme Science Blog

Northern “Immigrant” Ticks Causing Concern in the South Changes in tick behavior may increase Lyme disease risk in regions previously considered lower risk. Ticks locate hosts through a behavior known as “questing.” According to the CDC, ticks hold onto leaves and grass with their hind legs while extending their front legs outward, waiting to latch […]

Amoxicillin for Lyme Disease: Cure Rate After 14 Days Amoxicillin is commonly prescribed for early Lyme disease Most patients improve after treatment Some patients continue to experience persistent symptoms Does amoxicillin treat Lyme disease? For many patients with early Lyme disease, amoxicillin is an effective treatment option. However, questions remain regarding cure rates, treatment duration,

What Are Brazilian Ticks? Lyme-Like Disease in Brazil Brazilian ticks may carry Lyme-like risks Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome can resemble Lyme disease Bullseye rashes and neurologic symptoms may be missed What are Brazilian ticks, and can they cause Lyme-like illness? Brazilian ticks—including species in the Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus genera—have been linked to a condition called Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome,

Lyme disease presenting as acute transverse myelitis Acute transverse myelitis is a rare neurologic complication of Lyme disease. Symptoms may include weakness, numbness, bladder dysfunction, and constipation. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve recovery. Acute transverse myelitis (ATM) is a rare neurologic condition that leaves approximately one-third of patients with severe neurologic disability. It is

Lyme Disease in Veterans: Coinfections and Missed Diagnoses Symptoms vary widely Coinfections are common Testing can be inconsistent Diagnosis may be missed Lyme disease in veterans may be underrecognized—especially when testing results are inconsistent. This study highlights the complexity of symptoms, the role of coinfections, and the risk of missed diagnoses. Study Overview Researchers evaluated

Lyme Disease Manifesting as Acute Transverse Myelitis Lyme disease may rarely involve inflammation of the spinal cord Back pain, muscle spasms, and sensory symptoms may reflect neurologic Lyme disease Early recognition and treatment may improve neurologic recovery Acute transverse myelitis is an inflammatory disorder involving the spinal cord that may arise from autoimmune, infectious, inflammatory,

Can Blood Smears Diagnose Borrelia miyamotoi Disease? Blood smears may miss Borrelia infections Thick and thin smears have important limitations PCR testing may improve diagnostic accuracy Some doctors have suggested that blood smears should be used to confirm the diagnosis of Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD). But as Telford and colleagues demonstrated, blood smears may not

Can Lyme Disease Cause Eye Twitching? A Child With Opsoclonus Eye twitching and abnormal eye movements Rare neurologic manifestation of Lyme disease Complete recovery after antibiotic treatment Many patients ask whether Lyme disease can cause eye twitching or abnormal eye movements. Although uncommon, Lyme neuroborreliosis has been associated with opsoclonus, a disorder characterized by rapid

Somatic Symptoms vs Depression in Lyme Disease Depression scores in Lyme disease patients may reflect physical symptoms rather than a primary mood disorder. A one-year prospective study followed 52 adult Lyme disease patients presenting with erythema migrans (EM). Participants reported symptoms including fatigue, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, and cognitive complaints. Patients with more severe

Can Lyme Disease Cause Endocarditis? A Rare Case Involving the Mitral Valve Rare cardiac complication of Lyme disease Mitral valve infection led to heart failure symptoms Borrelia burgdorferi identified in valve tissue In March 2017, a 68-year-old man was admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, with symptoms suggestive of advanced heart failure. Although