The Lyme Educator

06/03/2026

A recent study finds that 46% of people with ME/CFS were unknowingly infected with one of these two pathogens...🧵

Fifty people experiencing chronic fatigue and neurological symptoms similar to those in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) were tested for evidence of:
- Bartonella (a bacterium often spread by fleas or ticks)
- Babesia (a tick-borne parasite)

Here is what they found.

Researchers detected infections with:
- Babesia (a tick-borne parasite) in 10 individuals (20%),
- Bartonella (a bacterium often spread by fleas or ticks) in 11 (22%),
- and both in 2 (4%).

Overall, nearly half (46%) showed evidence of at least one pathogen in their blood.

These infections are known to cause:
- anxiety
- prolonged fatigue
- neurological issues
- and irritability even without classic acute signs

They identified the different species using PCR tests on blood and enriched blood cultures.

However, PCR tests can yield false positives, underscoring the need for a more robust study that screens for pathogen-specific antibodies.

Do a subset of patients with ME/CFS-like symptoms suffer from a Babesia or Bartonella infection?

Let us know what you think about this study.

Read more: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/15/1/2

If you liked this, you'll love our new Substack, where we discuss papers like these in more detail.
https://substack.com/

05/29/2026

Big news for the Lyme disease community.

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced new efforts to combat Lyme disease, a condition that affects hundreds of thousands of Americans each year and continues to expand across the Northeast, Midwest, and other regions of the country. The plan includes increased focus on improving diagnosis, advancing research, supporting patients, and increasing public awareness about tick-borne diseases. HHS has also launched a dedicated Lyme disease resource hub to provide news, data, and educational information.

For years, many patients have struggled with delayed diagnoses, limited treatment options, and difficulty finding knowledgeable providers. It is encouraging to see Lyme disease receiving greater national attention and recognition as a serious public health issue.

As tick populations continue to expand and Lyme cases increase across the United States, continued research, education, and patient advocacy remain critically important.

05/29/2026

Coinfections may be common – at least among those with chronic Lyme disease. MyLymeData research found that in patients with chronic Lyme disease over 50% had coinfections, with 30% reporting two or more coinfections. If you are not feeling well after treatment for Lyme disease you may need to treat a co-infection.
LEARN MORE: https://www.lymedisease.org/coinfections-lyme-times/

05/28/2026

I had to have cavitation surgery a few years back for this very reason.

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

Did you know researchers have explored possible links between Lyme disease and neurodegenerative illness? 🧠🦠

Dr. Alan MacDonald’s research identified Borrelia DNA in Alzheimer’s brain samples, raising important questions about the role infections may play in neurological disease and inflammation. While more research is urgently needed, findings like these remind us why continued investment in tick-borne disease research, early detection, and education is so critical.

At the LivLyme Foundation, we remain committed to advancing awareness, supporting scientific discovery, and advocating for patients and families impacted by Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. 💚🌎

Awareness leads to action. Research leads to answers.

Learn more:
livlymefoundation.org

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

This is what they are working on.

Scientists are hoping to use genetic engineering to reduce the transmission of Lyme disease. The scientists' target is not the deer or the ticks often associated with the disease; it's wild mice.

05/24/2026

I am getting SO many messages daily about tick bites right now. This is a good graphic of the Lone Star tick, which can trigger Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy to beef, pork, lamb, bison, gelatin, dairy, and more after a bite. Most people I personally know who have been bitten this year are noticing the tick with the white dot. This is just one type of tick as well.

If you get bitten, save the tick and consider sending it off for testing to check for possible infections so you can properly address them if needed. Most importantly: wear light-colored clothing, use tick repellent, do thorough tick checks, and shower immediately after coming home to check again. Stay safe out there this season.