Lyme Disease, Co-Infections & Testing | InHealthRVA Podcast ft. Dr. Richard Marconi

Why is Lyme disease still so difficult to diagnose, and why is there still so much controversy around testing, treatment, and chronic symptoms? In this episode, Dr. Richard Marconi, microbiologist, researcher, and professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, joins the InHealthRVA Podcast to break down the science behind Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections. We explore what makes Borrelia such a unique bacterium, why standard two-tier Lyme testing can miss cases, how bacterial diversity affects diagnostics, and why early infection can be especially hard to detect. Dr. Marconi also explains the difference between active infection and long-term consequences after infection, why Lyme remains so misunderstood, and what current research is doing to improve both diagnostics and vaccines. We also talk about co-infections like anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and babesiosis, why they matter more than many people realize, and how some tick-borne illnesses may not respond to standard Lyme treatment. Dr. Marconi shares insights from decades of research, including his work on canine Lyme vaccines, newer human vaccine efforts, and the future of broader protection against multiple tick-borne diseases. If you have ever wondered why Lyme disease is so debated, why test results can be confusing, or why co-infections need more attention, this conversation is packed with practical insight and current science.