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Bullying & PANS/PANDAS
January 4, 2026
Bullying & PANS/PANDAS

Bullying & PANS/PANDAS Bullying is a frequent concern within the PANS/PANDAS community. Bullying is never the child’s fault. When symptoms are misunderstood, children may be labeled as...

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Babesia and Bartonella Species DNA in Blood and Enrichment Blood Cultures from People with Chronic Fatigue and Concurrent Neurological Symptoms.

Breitschwerdt EB, Maggi RG, Bush JC, Kingston E. Babesia and Bartonella Species DNA in Blood and Enrichment Blood Cultures from People with Chronic Fatigue and Concurrent Neurological Symptoms. Pathogens. 2026; 15(1):2. doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15010002

  • Study included 50 individuals with chronic fatigue lasting 6 months to 19 years and neurological symptoms
  • 23 of 50 participants had evidence of Babesia and/or Bartonella infection
    • Babesia DNA detected in 12 of 50 participants (24%)
    • Bartonella DNA detected in 13 of 50 participants (26%)
    • Co-infection with both genera confirmed in 2 participants
  • Findings support a potential association between these infections and presentations consistent with ME/CFS
  • Authors emphasize the need for larger, prospective studies to clarify contribution or causality
Ecological dynamics of blacklegged ticks, vertebrate hosts, and associated zoonotic pathogens in northeastern forests

LaDeau, Shannon L., KellyOggenfuss, AlexanderSchmidt, SaravananThangamani, and Richard S.Ostfeld. 2025. “Ecological Dynamics of Blacklegged Ticks, Vertebrate Hosts, and Associated Zoonotic Pathogens in Northeastern Forests.” Ecosphere16(12): e70508. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.70508

Researchers tested 2,000+ blacklegged ticks in New York over 9 years

38% of ticks carried at least one pathogen capable of infecting humans

About 10% carried multiple pathogens (co-infection)

• The most common combination was Lyme disease + Babesia microti

Babesia was found in 21% of ticks, higher than previous estimates

Bartonella was not detected in the ticks tested at these study sites