Archive for July, 2019

Metabolites of Prostaglandin Synthases As Potential Biomarkers of Lyme Disease Severity & Symptom Resolution

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30121835/

2019 Jan;68(1):7-17. doi: 10.1007/s00011-018-1180-5. Epub 2018 Aug 18.

Metabolites of prostaglandin synthases as potential biomarkers of Lyme disease severity and symptom resolution.

Jarosz AC1, Badawi A2,3.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Lyme disease or Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the commonest vector-borne disease in the North America. It is an inflammatory disease caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The role of the inflammatory processes mediated by prostaglandins (PGs), thromboxanes and leukotrienes (LTs) in LB severity and symptoms resolution is yet to be elucidated.

OBJECTIVES:

We aim to systematically review and evaluate the role of PGs and related lipid mediators in the induction and resolution of inflammation in LB.

METHODS:

We conducted a comprehensive search in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE(R), Embase and Embase Classic to identify cell-culture, animal and human studies reporting the changes in PGs and related lipid mediators of inflammation during the course of LB.

RESULTS:

We identified 18 studies to be included into this systematic review. The selected reports consisted of seven cell-culture studies, seven animal studies, and four human studies (from three patient populations). Results from cell-culture and animal studies suggest that PGs and other lipid mediators of inflammation are elevated in LB and may contribute to disease development. The limited number of human studies showed that subjects with Lyme meningitis, Lyme arthritis (LA) and antibiotic-refractory LA had increased levels of an array of PGs and lipid mediators (e.g., LTB4, 8-isoPGF2α, and phospholipases A2 activity). Levels of these markers were significantly reduced following the treatment with antibiotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

CONCLUSION:

Dysregulation of prostaglandins and related lipid mediators may play a role in the etiology of LB and persistence of inflammation that may lead to long-term complications. Further investigation into the precise levels of a wide range of PGs and related factors is critical as it may propose novel markers that can be used for early diagnosis.

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**Comment**

Systematic reviews are only as good as the studies they utilize. The area of Lyme research is notoriously controlled by “The Cabal,” a highly vested group of individuals rife with conflicts of interests.

The “limited” number of human studies is two-fold: 1) the entrance parameters into studies requires a positive on the CDC-two tiered testing (which misses half of all cases & leaves out a huge subset of patients) as well as having the EM rash which is highly variable with patients (studies show 25-80% get it, and some not at all), and 2) anyone who doesn’t agree with the long-held CDC/IDSA narrative that Lyme is hard to catch and easy to treat and doesn’t persist, struggles to be heard and published: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/01/13/lyme-science-owned-by-good-ol-boys/  Numerous researchers have told the same sordid tale:

Christian Perronne, physician on the infectious diseases faculty at the University of Versailles-St Quentin, France, states,

“If you try to publish a little bit different from the guidelines, it’s anti-science.”

What researcher in their right mind wants to swim up this stream? Only a few and we are so thankful to have them!

I find it interesting that although patients improve with antibiotics (as clearly stated right here in this article) authorities state antibiotics don’t help. Their studies are rigged for a preconceived outcome. I would not be writing today without numerous long-term antibiotics used judiciously. I can say the same for many other patients. Antimicrobials, of course, are only one prong of treatment and it’s a holistic venture requiring many modalities, experience, and a lot of savvy.

The polarization continues.

Category:

Inflammation, Lyme, Uncategorized

Active Neuroborreliosis or Inflammation: Are the Diagnostic Guidelines at Stake? (You think?)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30556097/

2019 Jun;119(2):207-214. doi: 10.1007/s13760-018-01067-2. Epub 2018 Dec 17.

Active neuroborreliosis or inflammation: are the diagnostic guidelines at stake?

De Cauwer H1,2, Lagrou K3, Coeckelbergh E4,5, Bogaerts A6, Leenders J4, Vanneste D7,8.

Abstract

Neuroborreliosis can induce a variety of neurological syndromes: e.g., cranial neuritis, plexitis, radiculitis, meningitis, cerebellitis, … We report on five cases of patients with a diagnosis of neuroborreliosis based on clinical symptoms, serologic tests and MR imaging results. However, neither of them fulfils the diagnostic criteria for definite neuroborreliosis. Are the diagnostic criteria still valid or is there a need to revise them? Is our diagnosis correct? Are these cases post-Lyme auto-immune neuronal inflammation, and not due to still active spirochetal infection? Do we need to consider immunosuppressive therapy instead of third-generation cephalosporins?

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**Comment**

All I know is plenty of research has indicated persistent infection:  Peer-Reviewed Evidence of Persistence of Lyme:MSIDS copy

Also, not mentioned is the possible presence of other infections:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/10/30/study-shows-lyme-msids-patients-infected-with-many-pathogens-and-explains-why-we-are-so-sick/

Of course, the problem is that testing for ALL the coinfections that often come with Lyme is abysmal….

Will someone please do this very needed work?  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/04/13/chronic-lyme-post-mortem-study-needed-to-end-the-lyme-wars/

Don’t you think this question of persistence has been asked for long enough?

Category:

Lyme, research, Testing

FREE Tick Testing – Adds Bartonella Pathogen Assay

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bay-area-lyme-foundation-tick-testing-program-adds-bartonella-pathogen-assay-300883339.html

Bay Area Lyme Foundation Tick Testing Program Adds Bartonella Pathogen Assay

– Nationwide Free Tick Testing Initiative Will Inform Citizen-Science Studies to Better Understand the Spread of Ticks Carrying Diseases Throughout U.S. –

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Bay Area Lyme Foundation

Jul 11, 2019,

SILICON VALLEY, Calif., July 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Bay Area Lyme Foundation, a leading sponsor of Lyme disease research in the U.S., today announced the relaunch of its nationwide free tick testing program, which will include an assay for Bartonella, a disease-causing pathogen carried by ticks. Based on the success of the Free Tick Testing Citizen Science program, Bay Area Lyme Foundation has significantly increased funding for the 2019 nationwide collection effort, adding an automated submission process and increased research support. Researchers anticipate this citizen- science program will enable the organization to unearth further discoveries.

Results of the first citizen-scientist study were published in the peer-review journals PLOS ONE in 2018, and International Journal of Health Geographics in 2019. The study, which evaluated the prevalence of disease-carrying ticks throughout the United States, and included a massive sample of more than 16,000 ticks collected from 49 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, led to the discovery of ticks capable of carrying Lyme and other tick-borne diseases in 83 counties, in 24 states, where these ticks had not been previously recorded. The program received a six-fold increase in tick submissions over initial estimates, representing unprecedented national coordination of a ‘citizen science’ effort and diagnostic investigation.

“The tremendous response to our initial collection program from residents all across the country has demonstrated a national desire for a greater understanding of tick-borne diseases, compelling our increased commitment,” said Linda Giampa, executive director at Bay Area Lyme Foundation. “Through a greater understanding of tick-borne disease risk across the U.S., we hope to better arm patients, clinicians and researchers with valuable insight in hopes of improved education, faster diagnosis, and more informed research toward making Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses easy to diagnose and simple to cure.”

As the only national free tick testing service, the program is designed to offer insights into the pathogens carried by ticks, and the results, in addition to any symptoms, should be discussed with a healthcare provider. Results from the tick test are not intended to be a diagnostic and individuals should discuss any symptoms or changes in health status with their physicians, as some tick bites will not transmit agents that cause disease.  Since the founding of the program in 2016, institutions and local government entities across the U.S. have been inspired to initiate similar free tick testing programs for the purpose of diagnostics and/or research.

Testing is available through a partnership with the Nieto Lab at Northern Arizona University, which will accept ticks from any state in the U.S.

  • Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease
  • Borrelia miyamotoi, which causes hard tick-borne relapsing fever
  • Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis
  • Rickettsia rickettsii, the agent of Rocky-mountain spotted fever
  • Babesia microti, a protozoan pathogen
  • Bartonella spp.

Results will be available within twelve business days of receipt based on estimated volumes. The data will be reported to the sender by email, as well as added to our national database, to better understand ticks and tick-borne diseases.

“We are investigating changing trends in tick-borne diseases, and hope that improved understanding of the geography of human exposures to ticks and pathogens will revamp current perceptions of disease risk and the ticks’ spatial distributions,” said Dan Salkeld, PhD, research scientist, Colorado State University, who will be involved in evaluating data obtained from this program for potential future research publications.

U.S. residents seeking more information should visit: https://www.bayarealyme.org/lyme-disease-prevention/tick-testing/

About Bartonella
Bartonella are intracellular parasites that are transmitted by the bite of infected Ixodes ticks to humans, and infect red blood cells, macrophages, and endothelial cells. Symptoms of bartonella may consist of swollen or enlarged lymph nodes and may cause fevers and, more rarely, eye disorders, or infections of the liver, spleen, or bones. Many patients also experience an inflamed blemish at the transmission site which looks like a red bump on the skin and then may develop into a large pimple. Neurological involvement may also occur. There is a great need for an effective diagnostic and treatment for bartonella, and currently the most reliable assay for bartonella infection is through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in blood, spinal fluid, and tissue.

About Bay Area Lyme Foundation
Bay Area Lyme Foundation, a national organization committed to making Lyme disease easy to diagnose and simple to cure, is the leading public not-for-profit sponsor of innovative Lyme disease research in the US. A 501c3 non-profit organization based in Silicon Valley, Bay Area Lyme Foundation collaborates with world-class scientists and institutions to accelerate medical breakthroughs for Lyme disease. It is also dedicated to providing reliable, fact-based information so that prevention and the importance of early treatment are common knowledge. A pivotal donation from The LaureL STEM Fund covers overhead costs and allows for 100% of all donor contributions to Bay Area Lyme Foundation to go directly to research and prevention programs. For more information about Lyme disease or to get involved, visit www.bayarealyme.org or call us at 650-530-2439.

SOURCE Bay Area Lyme Foundation

Related Links

http://www.bayarealyme.org

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**Comment**

YES! This is wonderful news. Now, it’s up to us to flood them with ticks.

The more data they have, the better. Let’s show authorities just how common Bartonella, Babesia, Lyme, RMSF, Anaplasmosis, and relapsing fever really are and why people in Lyme-land are so sick.

For more information on the diseases mentioned in this article, type the disease into the search bar on this website. Treatment suggestions are given as well.

Category:

Anaplasmosis, Babesia, Bartonella, Lyme, research, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Testing, Tickborne Relapsing Fever, Ticks

Lyme Neuroborreliosis is a Severe & Frequent Neurological Disease in Mexico

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30554857/

2018 Aug;49(6):399-404. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2018.11.007. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Lyme Neuroborreliosis is a Severe and Frequent Neurological Disease in Mexico.

Gordillo-Pérez G1, Solorzano F2, Cervantes-Castillo A3, Sanchez-Vaca G4, García-Ramirez R4, Díaz AM5, Muñoz O2, Torres J3.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To describe clinical cases with neurological manifestations associated with Borrelia burgdorferi infection in a large cohort of children and adults from Mexico.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Patients with neurological manifestation (cranial neuritis, radiculoneuritis, meningitis and encephalomyelitis) were recruited in one pediatric and two general hospitals, during January 2006-December 2015. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were drawn from each patient at inclusion. IgM and IgG antibodies against B. burgdorferi were detected using a commercial ELISA test, and confirmed by Western-Blot test (WB) using three different antigens from Borrelia burgdorferi complex. Following CDC criteria were considered true cases with both positive tests.

RESULTS:

Of 606 patients recruited, 403 (66.5%) were adults and 203 (33.4%) children, 50.5% were male.

  • B. burgdorferi infection was diagnosed in 168 patients (27.7%), 97 adults, mean age 42 ± 14.7 years and 71 children, mean age 9.6 ± 5 years;
  • early disseminated disease occurred in 130 cases (77.4 %) and
  • chronic stage in 38 (22.6 %)
  • A previous tick bite was reported by 21% cases, and
  • 5% recalled an erythema migrans lesion
  • Polyradiculoneuropathy and encephalomyelitis were the most common manifestations, whereas
  • 14.8% presented an initial Guillain-Barré Syndrome
  • B. burgdorferi sensu stricto was identified in 142 (84%) cases,
  • B. garinii in 14 (8%),
  • B. afzelii in three, and
  • nine cases presented coinfection with two species

CONCLUSION:

Lyme neuroborreliosis is a frequent condition in patients with neurological diseases in Mexico.

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**Comment**

Although a year old, utilizing even older data, this is HUGE, and I’m sure has only gotten worse. Most don’t even consider Lyme disease in South America, much less a severe and frequent disease.

Please note that they only considered people positive IF they tested positive on the abysmal 2-tiered CDC testing that misses over half of all cases:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/09/12/lyme-testing-problems-solutions/  It’s interesting to me that they describe “clinical” cases of neurological symptoms, yet continue to utilize abysmal testing as their means of diagnosis. What a shame.

How many infected Mexican patients were missed due to poor testing?

Also, please note only 5% recalled an EM rash. This criteria also needs to be thrown to the way-side as a standard for diagnosis:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/03/26/formally-challenging-cdc-advice-on-lyme-disease-rashes/  Again, if you are lucky enough to get the EM rash, YOU HAVE LYME DISEASE; however, even if you don’t have the EM rash, you might STILL HAVE LYME DISEASE.

Notice nearly 15% presented with an initial Guillain-Barre Syndrome as well as the fact 9 cases had coinfection with TWO species of borrelia.

For more on Lyme in South America:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/02/06/lyme-in-the-southern-hemisphere-sexual-transmission/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/12/07/first-report-of-bb-antibodies-in-south-american-veterinarians/

Also, please remember Lyme (borrelia) is only one of many. Patients are typically coinfected with numerous other pathogens:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/10/30/study-shows-lyme-msids-patients-infected-with-many-pathogens-and-explains-why-we-are-so-sick/  If all they used was CDC 2-tiered Lyme testing, not only did they miss tons of patients who weren’t “positive enough,” yet still infected, they also missed the fact many were probably infected with other pathogens.

 

Category:

Lyme, research, Testing

How to Set Healthy Boundaries

https://anutherapy.com/blog/how-to-set-boundaries

HOW TO SET HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

By Kacie Mitterando. LMSW

“Daring to set boundaries is having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.” –Brene Brown

This week I read someone describe boundaries as the “new trend” in mental health. I like this mental health trend because boundaries are important, and setting them may even be the key adjustment we need to resolve feeling drained and spread too thin.

At the root of it, boundaries are the way in which we show others what we will accept and what will not accept in our relationships with them. For a multitude of reasons such as guilt or childhood trauma, we may not set these boundaries with those closest to us and are often left feeling used, drained and resentful towards people (or careers) we normally care deeply about. Boundaries are an example of self-love and setting them allows you to focus on protecting yourself and re-building your inner peace.

What are some signs you might need to set boundaries?

–        You’re having feelings of overwhelm several, or most, days of the week

–        When someone asks you for help with something you feel resentful towards them

–        You daydream about dropping your career or responsibilities and disappearing for a bit of time

–        You’re finding that time to yourself is limited as most of your time is spent with those around you

–        You initially think that you’re worried about hurting someone by being open and honest with your needs, however, you realize that you’re actually worried about their angry response

Understanding that it may be time for your to set boundaries in your life is step one, however, actually setting the boundaries with those around you can be difficult. While I recommend working alongside a therapist throughout the boundary-setting process, below are a few tips to help get you started and validate the importance of your needs.

1.     Become clear on what your boundaries are:

Take a mental inventory of what is important to you – Is it the way you are spoken to? Do you feel as though your physical needs and personal space are being violated? Are those around you shutting down your inner thoughts?

2.     Saying “no:”

I know this one always seems much easier said than done, however, sometimes we need to go back to the basics to find true peace. Sarri Gilman, an author and psychotherapist discusses a skill we all embody that helps us say no much easier – she calls it our inner sense of wisdom. This wisdom is often expressed through a tiny voice inside our head that either tells us “yes” or “no” to a task, event or opportunity that comes up. Practice tuning in to this inner wisdom to assist you in making decisions that are fulfilling and honoring your true needs.

3.     Expect to disappoint:

When setting boundaries with those around you, your loved one may initially become angry and upset with you. This can often cause you to want to pull back on the boundary and not honor your need, however, this reaction often proves that the boundary was necessary. Remind yourself that if you did not set this boundary, bitterness and resentment would likely have spread throughout the relationship over time and could have caused a large falling out. Even if someone is initially upset, those who respect your boundaries will end up becoming some of your most fulfilling relationships.

Sometimes boundaries my seem cold and distant, or like you’re trying to escape someone (or that someone is trying to escape you). Elizabeth Earnshaw stated “when people set boundaries with you, it’s their attempt to continue the relationship with you. It’s not an attempt to hurt you.” Ultimately, boundaries are our way of strengthening our relationships with those around us by deepening the connection with ourselves. By setting a boundary with the people you love the most you’re able to maintain, or begin, a healthy and strong connection with them.

No one becomes a master at setting boundaries immediately. It is a self-care practice that can take years to master. Know that you are worthy of honoring your innermost needs and fostering a fulfilling life of love and compassion with those around you.

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For More:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/07/08/how-to-deal-with-lyme-skeptics-get-the-support-you-need/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/05/27/have-you-been-told-its-all-in-your-head-the-new-biology-of-mental-illness/

Category:

Activism, Lyme, Psychological Aspects