Author: Dr. Daniel Cameron
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First report: Babesia odocoilei causes babesiosis in humans
Babesia odocoilei has been identified in two individuals based on PCR testing and DNA sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene, writes Scott and colleagues in the study “Detection of Babesia odocoilei in Humans with Babesiosis Symptoms.” ¹ According to the authors, “the same two human subjects had the hallmark symptoms of human Babesiosis, including night…
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Lyme disease associated with eye problems
In their article, “Contrast Sensitivity Loss in Patients With Posttreatment Lyme Disease,” Rebman and colleagues report that Lyme disease can cause eye problems, specifically a loss in contrast sensitivity.¹ Contrast sensitivity (CS) is most important when the contrast between objects and their background often is reduced such as low light, fog or glare. For example,…
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Lyme disease: a persistent infection
There are multiple studies indicating that Lyme disease can result in a persistent infection, causing chronic symptoms that may require treatment with extended courses of antibiotics. The National Institute of Health (NIH) conducted three Lyme disease trials, which validated the existence and severity of chronic manifestations of Lyme disease.2-4 The study’s patients were ill for…
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Lyme disease and COVID-19 — Understanding the risks
Listed below are several questions from the Lyme disease and COVID-19 survey. Your answers can assist us with understanding the potential side effects from COVID-19 and/or the vaccine in people with Lyme disease. Please note, anyone with Lyme disease can take this survey ─ even those who have not had COVID or received the vaccine.…
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Babesia symptoms can be deadly: a family’s story
Babesia symptoms can be wide-ranging and difficult to recognize by clinicians and a missed or delayed diagnosis can be deadly. In hopes of raising awareness, one family shares their story of a Babesia diagnosis that came just a little too late. Jeff, a 51-year-old husband and father, was hospitalized with symptoms of jaundice, agitation and…
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PTSD, COVID-19 and Lyme disease: a perspective
Patients with chronic Lyme disease have reported symptoms of PTSD. Now, an article entitled “PTSD as the second tsunami of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic,” by Dutheil et al. indicates that some COVID-19 patients are experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder, as well.¹ The authors highlight several observations on the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic and PTSD that would also apply to…
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Lyme carditis diagnosis during a COVID-19 quarantine
A 42-year-old man from New York City received a Lyme carditis diagnosis after quarantining in upstate New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. The case is discussed in the article “A curious case of Lyme carditis in an urban hospital,” by Brissett et al. 1 “Lyme carditis was a surprise diagnosis in our hospital due to the…
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What is the Powassan virus?
In their article “Underrecognized Tickborne Illnesses: Borrelia Miyamotoi and Powassan Virus,” Della-Giustina et al. explain what is the Powassan virus and why it’s raising concerns. “We chose to review the Powassan virus because it only requires 15 min. of tick attachment for transmission, and the sequelae of the neurologic disease are devastating, in addition to…
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Can Lyme disease trigger an autoimmune disease?
Adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is often thought to be an autoimmune disease, but is, in fact, a systemic auto-inflammatory condition, believed to be caused by an over-reactive immune response to an infection, such as Lyme disease. As Cimmino points out, both diseases share several clinical characteristics.¹ Still’s disease can cause “a triad of high fever,…
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Sarcoidosis triggered by Lyme disease
According to the American Lung Association, an “infection or exposure to something in the environment can trigger the immune system to overreact,” resulting in sarcoidosis.¹ In a 2018 study, van Dee and colleagues suggest that Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease bacterium, may be one of those infectious pathogens capable of triggering sarcoidosis. ² Their study…