Saravanan Thangamani, PhD (photo by Jim Howe) Saravanan Thangamani, PhD (photo by Jim Howe) Deer ticks, known for transmitting the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, can also carry distantly related bacteria called Borrelia miyamotoi. Upstate microbiologist and immunologist Deer ticks, known for transmitting the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, can also carry distantly related bacteria called Borrelia miyamotoi. Upstate microbiologist and immunologist Saravanan Thangamani, PhD Saravanan Thangamani, PhD, explains what is known about how the Borrelia miyamotoi disease is transmitted from ticks to humans. A larger percentage of deer ticks carry the Borrelia mayonii, which causes Lyme, than carry Borrelia miyamotoi. Symptoms of the two diseases are similar, he notes, and the treatment is the same., explains what is known about how the Borrelia miyamotoi disease is transmitted from ticks to humans. A larger percentage of deer ticks carry the Borrelia mayonii, which causes Lyme, than carry Borrelia miyamotoi. Symptoms of the two diseases are similar, he notes, and the treatment is the same.