Borrelia miyamotoi Infection in Immunocompromised Man, California, USA, 2021

Abstract

Infection with Borrelia miyamotoi in California, USA, has been suggested by serologic studies. We diagnosed B. miyamotoi infection in an immunocompromised man in California. Diagnosis was aided by plasma microbial cell–free DNA sequencing. We conclude that the infection was acquired in California.

Characteristics of Hard Tick Relapsing Fever Caused by Borrelia miyamotoi, United States, 2013–2019

“…Third, B. miyamotoi might cause human infection in states where the condition is not subject to public health reporting. A recent case of HTRF caused by B. miyamotoi was identified in California; that finding, in combination with acarologic and seroprevalence assessments, suggests potential for additional cases of human illness along the Pacific Coast ( 28 , 29 , 49 , 50 ). Fourth, detailed data on clinical features, such as rash, clinical course and resolution, or immunocompromised status or other medical concurrent conditions, were not collected consistently as part of surveillance-based case investigations, limiting our ability to thoroughly describe the clinical course or examine the effect of immunocompromising conditions or other concurrent conditions on clinical severity or presentation of HTRF caused by B. miyamotoi infection.…”

Systematic investigation of the Borrelia miyamotoi spirochetes in ticks, wildlife and domestic animal hosts in Yunnan province, Southwest China

“…Laboratory findings have also included leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes. [ 17 ] Notably, in immunocompromised patients, prolonged course of disease, vision and hearing changes, meningoencephlitis were recorded in some case reports [ [18] , [19] , [20] ].…”