Young boy develops Powassan encephalitis after camping trip
Although the Powassan virus is considered to be a rare tick-borne illness, the number of cases is rising, and at an alarming rate. A recent survey found, a 4-fold rise in the number of Powassan virus cases in the US from 2014 to 2023 (compared with 2004 to 2013). [3]
Abdominal pain, ileus and constipation due to Lyme disease
I will be discussing the case of a 65-year-old woman with abdominal pain, ileus/pseudo-obstruction and constipation due to Lyme disease.
Is It Lyme Disease? Unexpected Symptoms of Lyme disease
Is It Lyme Disease? We’re discussing the unexpected symptoms of Lyme disease that I've encountered in my practice.
Why Treating Lyme Disease Is More Complex Than You Think
Since opening my Lyme disease practice in 1987, I’ve witnessed significant changes in how we diagnose and treat this complex illness. Early on, I prescribed doxycycline for Lyme disease and Ehrlichia. However, my first three patients in 1987 did not respond to doxycycline, so I referred one to Boston for further consultation. They returned with a recommendation for amoxicillin, marking the first major shift in my treatment approach.
Don’t wait for a positive Lyme disease test
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends two-tier testing for Lyme disease, which includes a screening test with the ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and confirmation with the Western Blot. However, studies have found that these tests can miss more than 50% of patients with Lyme disease. In my practice, I treat patients based on clinical symptoms and medical history.
Rifampin for Lyme Disease: When Doxycycline Isn’t Enough
The treatment landscape for Lyme disease has undergone significant evolution over the years, offering a wider array of options to manage this multifaceted illness.
TMJ arthritis triggered by Lyme disease
A case report by Weise and colleagues demonstrates that Lyme disease can induce temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and may be misdiagnosed as a common temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
Can you get ticks from pets?
Ever wonder if you can get ticks from pets? A study by Jones et al. found that not only can pets transport ticks into the home and onto humans, but the risk of a tick bite is significantly higher for both dog and cat owners.
Dissociative amnesia in a patient with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome
Investigators describe the case of a 41-year-old patient, diagnosed with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), who, in addition to exhibiting typical PTLDS symptoms, also showed a severe retrograde episodic-autobiographical and semantic amnesia.
In 2015, the patient exhibited weakness and loss of energy, psychomotor slowing, night sweats, and difficulties with attention.
A few months prior to the onset of symptoms, the man had a low-grade fever and an Erythema Migrans (EM) rash.
He also experienced identity loss, specific phobias, dissociative symptoms, ...
Single tick bite leads to 3 diseases in elderly woman
In their article “Triple Tick Attack,” doctors describe the case of a 74-year-old woman living in Connecticut who developed three tick-borne diseases as the result of a single tick bite. While Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness, ticks can transmit other bacterium, causing various “co-infections,” which can be difficult to diagnose.
