Borrelia bergdorferi takes the rap as the prime cause of Lyme disease, but it seldom works alone. Ticks carry many other pathogens that often co-infect people with Lyme.
Here is a line-up of some of the most common co-pathogens and their clinical characteristics in the context of Borreliosis (Source: James Burrascano, Jr., MD):
Bartonella:
• Gradual onset of initial illness, manifesting as occasional night sweats.
• More nervous system, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms than musculoskeletal symptoms. These are usually excitatory and include sudden rage, panic, psychotic and antisocial behavior.
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Sore soles
• Morning fevers and swollen lymph glands
• Elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in some
Babesia:
• Abrupt onset of initial illness, with obvious night sweats.
• Symptoms tend to cycle every few days
• Profound fatigue, global headaches
• “Air hunger,” coughs.
• Hypercoagulability (responsive to heparin)
• Very severe Lyme symptoms and poor response to appropriate therapy
Ehrlichia/Anaplasma:
• Rapid onset of illness with high fevers and rash suggestive of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
• “Knife-like” headaches situated behind the eyes
• Low white cell counts, elevated liver function tests
Mycoplasma:
• Gradual onset of initial illness; light sweats; patients feel worse after exercise rather than better
• Major fatigue and profound neurologic dysfunction
• Metabolic dysregulation & extensive immune system damage