Lyme Science Blog

Babesia microti in Suffolk County: High Prevalence in Ticks Babesia microti is increasingly common in Suffolk County ticks. Coinfections with Lyme disease are frequently identified. High prevalence rates raise concern for missed babesiosis. Babesia microti Suffolk County infections are a growing concern, with tick surveillance studies showing high prevalence across multiple sites in New York […]

Ketamine for Lyme Disease Pain Relief: Could It Help? Pain may persist after Lyme disease treatment Ketamine reduced pain in one PTLDS case report More studies are needed before broader use Chronic pain after Lyme disease can be difficult to manage, especially when symptoms persist despite multiple therapies. Researchers described a woman with post-treatment Lyme

Can Lyme Disease Increase Suicide Risk? Psychiatric symptoms may complicate Lyme disease Depression and suicidality may be underrecognized Recognition and treatment may improve outcomes Lyme disease suicide risk remains a difficult and controversial topic, but psychiatrists and clinicians have argued that psychiatric manifestations associated with Lyme disease deserve greater recognition. Neuropsychiatric symptoms including depression, anxiety,

Borrelia burgdorferi South America: Evidence Found in Brazil Borrelia burgdorferi South America findings provide important evidence supporting Lyme-like illness in Brazil and highlight gaps in surveillance. According to investigators, 2 of 35 Ixodes spp ticks tested positive for B. burgdorferi sensu lato (Bb s.l.). [1] This discovery was not entirely unexpected, given prior reports of

Chronic Lyme Disease Controversy: Doctors Seek Answers Chronic Lyme disease controversy continues as physicians debate the quality of evidence and the need for better treatment studies. Greenberg’s Letter to the Editor states, “The recently published article by Shapiro et al hoped to be topical in this age of ‘alternative facts’ but fell short, providing mainly

Pediatric PTLDS Symptoms: Children Remain Ill After Lyme Treatment Pediatric PTLDS symptoms can persist in some children after Lyme disease treatment, leaving families and clinicians searching for answers. The authors of a Netherlands study concluded that persistent symptoms were not due to active infection, largely because they lasted longer than 6 months. “As more than

Transfusion Transmitted Babesiosis in Non-Endemic States Transfusion transmitted babesiosis is an emerging risk even in regions where Babesia is not considered endemic, raising concerns about coinfections and blood supply safety. Transfusion-transmitted babesiosis (TTB) is a growing concern — even in states where Babesia isn’t endemic. Cases have been reported in Maryland, South Carolina, and Nebraska,

Autonomic Dysfunction Lyme Pain: Could It Explain CRPS? Autonomic dysfunction Lyme pain may help explain severe, unexplained pain syndromes such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in patients with Lyme disease. The article published in Clinical Autonomic Research cites several cases demonstrating how infections can affect the autonomic nervous system. In one case, a 46-year-old

Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease: Depression, Rage, and Suicide Risk Psychiatric symptoms have been reported in Lyme disease. Researchers describe depression, rage, and sleep disruption. Neuroinflammation may play a role. By Daniel J. Cameron, MD, MPH Neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with Lyme disease have been described in the medical literature for decades. Researchers have reported mood changes, irritability,

Can Lyme Disease Cause Uveitis? Eye inflammation may rarely be linked to Lyme disease Diagnosis depends on exposure history and clinical context Antibiotics may help when steroids alone fail Lyme disease uveitis is uncommon but remains an important consideration when patients present with unexplained eye inflammation alongside compatible symptoms or tick exposure. Because Lyme disease