October 2026

Bottom Line “Possible” mechanisms below range from well-supported pathways to rare or theoretical ones. They should not be interpreted as proof that an infection caused an individual patient’s clot. Potential Pathways 1. Acute Systemic Inflammation Activating Coagulation Serious infections release inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and tumor-necrosis factor. These can: This infection-associated immunothrombosis is well established generally and is most

How Three Tick-Borne Germs Live In and Damage the Heart’s Tiny Blood Vessels Your heart is fed by a network of extremely small blood vessels called capillaries. They are so narrow that red blood cells have to squeeze through them one at a time. Three germs spread by ticks — Borrelia (Lyme disease), Bartonella, and Babesia — can all cause

Below are 15 mechanisms or biological pathways for each organism, emphasizing cells, signaling, vascular effects, and consequences for brain function. They are sometimes successive steps in the same pathway rather than 15 independent processes. Evidence Labels: For Borrelia, the discussion concerns Lyme-associated B. burgdorferi sensu lato, rather than all relapsing-fever Borrelia. Reference codes correspond to the full bibliography at the

Introduction Below are 15 mechanisms or biological pathways for each infection few know. Borrelia or Lyme Bacteria: 15 Ways It Can Affect the Brain and Its Supporting Cells Bartonella: 15 Cellular and Vascular Pathways Relevant to the Brain Babesia: 15 Pathways by Which Infection Can Impair the Brain Full References Author lists are abbreviated with et al. for longer papers;