A Day in the Woods in Pregnancy: Fetal and Neonatal Implications.

Abstract

Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD), also known as hard-tick relapsing fever, is an emerging tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia miyamotoi. This pathogen is transmitted primarily by Ixodes ticks, also known as deer ticks or black-legged ticks. BMD poses significant public health concerns because of its potential to cause severe hemodynamic and hematologic disturbances, particularly in vulnerable populations such as pregnant individuals. BMD often presents with symptoms like other tick-borne infections, including fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches, but often lacks the characteristic rash seen in Lyme disease and does not typically have a greater-than-24-hour tick attachment period for transmission. A high index of suspicion in the late spring and summer months in the Northern hemisphere is essential for early diagnosis of BMD and treatment to prevent maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.