Lyme Science Blog

Turning a Blind Eye on Lyme Disease Lyme disease is often dismissed when it presents without classic signs—leading some patients to be overlooked despite significant, persistent symptoms. “Our ignorance is often unbearable and may lead us to turn a blind eye on non-lesional diseases,” writes Raoult. He argues that throughout medical history, some conditions were […]

Do Deer Get Lyme Disease? Deer and Tick Relationship Deer carry ticks but rarely infect them The deer and tick relationship is more complex than it seems Reducing deer alone may not stop Lyme disease Many people assume deer directly spread Lyme disease. The reality is more complicated. Understanding the deer and tick relationship helps

Can Lyme Disease Cause a Stroke? A Case of Lyme Neuroborreliosis Stroke-like symptoms may rarely occur with Lyme neuroborreliosis Neurologic complications can complicate diagnosis Early recognition may influence recovery “We here describe the case of an 83-year-old man for whom we strongly suspect Lyme neuroborreliosis as the etiology of his stroke,” writes Moreno Legast and

Preventing Unnecessary Surgery for Children With Lyme Arthritis Lyme arthritis in children is frequently mistaken for septic arthritis—leading to unnecessary surgery that could be avoided with early recognition and testing. This diagnostic challenge is especially important in emergency settings, where children present with an acutely swollen, painful joint and rapid decisions must be made. Lyme

Babesia urban cases are on the rise — and this South Bronx case shows why clinicians must consider tick-borne diseases even in patients living in cities. A single day trip to a state park was enough to cause a serious Babesia infection. While many of these cases may be due to infections acquired when travelling

Lyme Disease in Travelers: A Missed Diagnosis Abroad Lyme disease in travelers is often missed when clinicians in non-endemic regions fail to consider exposure history. This case highlights how easily Lyme disease can be overlooked when symptoms present outside of North America or Europe. A Misleading Presentation in Japan A woman living in New York

Lyme Disease Brain Tumor Symptoms in Children: A Missed Diagnosis Lyme disease may rarely mimic brain tumor symptoms in children Head pressure, papilloedema, and neurologic symptoms may occur without rash Early recognition of neuroborreliosis may help prevent delayed diagnosis Lyme disease can occasionally present with neurologic symptoms that resemble a brain tumor or other causes

Lyme Carditis and Heart Block: Why Early Diagnosis Can Prevent a Pacemaker Symptoms may be nonspecific Diagnosis is often delayed Heart block can be severe Antibiotics can reverse the condition Lyme carditis heart block can present with nonspecific symptoms and be difficult to diagnose. But early recognition is critical—because appropriate treatment can reverse conduction abnormalities

Can Different Lyme Strains Cause Reinfection? Reinfection with a different strain of Borrelia burgdorferi may increase infectivity and raise the possibility of superinfection. New research in mice suggests that not all Lyme exposures behave the same—especially when different strains are involved. What Happens With Reinfection? In a study by Bhatia and colleagues, researchers examined how

Persistent Lyme Symptoms: Patients Pay a High Price in Quality of Life Patients with persistent Lyme symptoms experience significantly reduced quality of life—even after standard antibiotic treatment. A Netherlands study highlights the burden faced by these patients and raises important questions about treatment limitations. Quality of Life Was Severely Impaired Before treatment, patients reported poor