EPISODE · May 6, 2026 · 59 MIN
Bartonella and PANS: What Clinicians and Families Need to Know
from Demystifying PANS/PANDAS Podcast · host Nancy O'Hara MD
What if Bartonella is part of the reason some children with PANS remain stuck in cycles of rage, confusion, sleep disruption, and chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms? In this episode of Demystifying PANS/PANDAS, we speak with Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt about why Bartonella deserves much more attention in the PANS world—and why the term 'vector-borne disease' is often more accurate than simply saying Lyme.We discuss the broad range of vectors that may transmit Bartonella, why symptom overlap makes diagnosis difficult, the significance of striae-like skin lesions, and why standard tests often miss infection. Dr. Breitschwerdt also explains how Bartonella can persist in tissues, why triple-draw and molecular testing may improve detection, and why chronic infection, inflammation, and immune dysfunction need a much bigger research response.- - - - -About the Guest:Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt, DVM, DACVIM, PhD is a professor of medicine at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, a professor at Duke University, and co-founder of Galaxy Diagnostics. He is a leading expert in Bartonella and vector-borne infectious diseases, with decades of research spanning both animal and human health.A veterinary internist and infectious disease researcher, Dr. Breitschwerdt has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and helped redefine Bartonella as a cause of persistent infection, neurologic disease, and neuropsychiatric illness. His work emphasizes the need for more sensitive diagnostics and expanded research into chronic infection and immune dysfunction.- - - - -Social Handles:Website: https://www.galaxydx.com/; https://cvm.ncsu.edu/people/ebbreits/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galaxydxInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/galaxydiagnostics/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/galaxy-diagnostics-inc-/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GalaxyDiagnosticsVideosExplore A Blind Spot on Autism — a powerful resource that challenges misconceptions and brings clarity to the autism journey. Learn more today at ablindspotonautism.com.- - - - -Nancy O’Hara, MD, MPH, FAAP, FMAPSWebsite: https://www.drohara.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnancyohara/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhoharamd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-o-hara-md-mph-faap-390781258/Join our listeners on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio.- - - - -PODCASTThank you for listening.Please subscribe and share.This podcast is produced by DrTalks.comhttps://drtalks.com/podcast-service/
What this episode covers
What if Bartonella is part of the reason some children with PANS remain stuck in cycles of rage, confusion, sleep disruption, and chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms? In this episode of Demystifying PANS/PANDAS, we speak with Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt about why Bartonella deserves much more attention in the PANS world—and why the term 'vector-borne disease' is often more accurate than simply saying Lyme.We discuss the broad range of vectors that may transmit Bartonella, why symptom overlap makes diagnosis difficult, the significance of striae-like skin lesions, and why standard tests often miss infection. Dr. Breitschwerdt also explains how Bartonella can persist in tissues, why triple-draw and molecular testing may improve detection, and why chronic infection, inflammation, and immune dysfunction need a much bigger research response.- - - - -About the Guest:Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt, DVM, DACVIM, PhD is a professor of medicine at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, a professor at Duke University, and co-founder of Galaxy Diagnostics. He is a leading expert in Bartonella and vector-borne infectious diseases, with decades of research spanning both animal and human health.A veterinary internist and infectious disease researcher, Dr. Breitschwerdt has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and helped redefine Bartonella as a cause of persistent infection, neurologic disease, and neuropsychiatric illness. His work emphasizes the need for more sensitive diagnostics and expanded research into chronic infection and immune dysfunction.- - - - -Social Handles:Website: https://www.galaxydx.com/; https://cvm.ncsu.edu/people/ebbreits/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galaxydxInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/galaxydiagnostics/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/galaxy-diagnostics-inc-/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GalaxyDiagnosticsVideosExplore A Blind Spot on Autism — a powerful resource that challenges misconceptions and brings clarity to the autism journey. Learn more today at ablindspotonautism.com.- - - - -Nancy O’Hara, MD, MPH, FAAP, FMAPSWebsite: https://www.drohara.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/drnancyohara/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nhoharamd/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-o-hara-md-mph-faap-390781258/Join our listeners on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart Radio.- - - - -PODCASTThank you for listening.Please subscribe and share.This podcast is produced by DrTalks.comhttps://drtalks.com/podcast-service/
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Bartonella and PANS: What Clinicians and Families Need to Know
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