Archive for the ‘Bartonella’ Category

A Bacterial Toxin Facilitating Chronic Infection

https://www.biozentrum.unibas.ch/news/detail/a-bacterial-toxin-facilitating-chronic-infection

A bacterial toxin facilitating chronic infection

Some pathogens persist in the body causing chronic infections. Researchers led by Prof. Christoph Dehio and Prof. Tilman Schirmer at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, have now discovered a mechanism of highly selective targeting of host proteins by a bacterial toxin that is critical for the bacteria to establish chronic infection. The study recently published in “PNAS” provides new insights into the activity and function of bacterial toxins.

The bacterial pathogen Bartonella (purple) in interaction with human host cells (green).

When pathogens invade our body the immune system is put on alert. The body’s immune cells are recruited to the site of infection and an inflammatory reaction is initiated to rapidly eliminate the invaders. Some pathogens, however, have developed clever strategies to evade this line of defense. Bartonella is one of them. Manipulating the body’s cells to its advantage enables the pathogen to persist in the host.

Researchers led by Prof. Christoph Dehio and Prof. Tilman Schirmer at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, have now elucidated an important mechanism how Bartonella  ensures long-term survival in the body. It injects a bacterial toxin into the body’s cells, which deactivates a specific group of proteins important for the immune response. This mechanism is vital for the pathogen’s capacity to cause chronic infection.

Bacterial toxins modulate signaling pathways in host cells

In mammalian cells, so-called Rho GTPases serve as molecular ON-OFF switches controlling a wide range of signaling pathways and thus pivotal cellular activities, such as cell movement, cytoskeletal dynamics and also the innate immune response. Due to their central regulatory role, this protein family is a target of choice for bacterial toxins. These thwart cellular signaling and facilitate the pathogen to survive in the host. However, many bacterial toxins targeting multiple GTPases cause massive collateral damage to the cells and typically limits pathogen survival to the acute infection phase.

Bartonella subtly colonizes the host

In contrast, Bartonella hijacks the host in a “gentle” way. The pathogen employs toxins that very selectively target host cell functions. In doing so, Bartonella reduces the efficacy of the immune system without causing collateral damage, enabling the pathogen to persist in the host. “We have now been able to elucidate the mechanism of highly selective recognition of specific host proteins by the Bartonella toxin Bep 1,” says Dehio. “Bep 1 exclusively targets proteins of the Rac-subfamily but not the other members of the large Rho GTPase family that are typically inactivated all together by toxins with primary acute infection patterns.”

Elucidating bacterial toxin selectivity

Employing a combination of structural analysis, modeling and biochemical methods, the researchers have now been able to elucidate the mechanism underlying this unique target selectivity. “The spectrum of target proteins is determined by large on shape complementarity and the electrostatic interactions of a short structural element in Bep1 with two protein segments unique to the Rac-subfamily,” explains Dehio. This simple, yet elegant, evolutionary treat equips Bartonella with a precise molecular tool to selectively interfere with host signaling.

Original publication:
Nikolaus Dietz, Markus Huber, Isabel Sorg, Arnaud Goepfert, Alexander Harms, Tilman Schirmer and Christoph Dehio. Structural basis for selective AMPylation of Rac-subfamily GTPases by Bartonella effector protein 1 (Bep1). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) 2021

Contact: Communications, Katrin Bühler

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**Comment**

This right here, is why patients remain sick.  We are typically filled with multiple stealth pathogens with the capability to quietly impede the normal mechanisms the body uses to clear infections.  Sadly, Bartonella is not the only organism capable of this guerrilla warfare – Borrelia, the causative agent of Lyme disease also changes its outer surface protein to remain cloaked and accepted by the immune system.  If antimicrobials are used, it also has the ability to shape shift and go into a dormant state only to reemerge when conditions are conducive for growth.

When will mainstream medicine get the memo?

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Category:

Bartonella, research

Best Herbal Antibiotic Plans for Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia

https://treatlyme.com/guide/best-herbal-antibiotics-for-lyme-bartonella-babesia/

Best Herbal Antibiotic Plans for Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia

By Dr. Marty Ross

best-herbal-antibiotics-for-lyme-bartonella-babesia
Updated: January 24, 2025

Science Meets Buhner for Best Herbal Antibiotic Options

History Speaks

Historically, most herbal antibiotic regimens for used tick-borne infections are based on the writings and experience of master herbalist Stephen Buhner. His work is science related. However, most of the herbal antibiotics he recommends do not have actual studies showing they work in the lab or in humans for killing specific tick-borne infections. For instance, he recommends Andrographis to kill Borrelia based on science showing it kills another spirochete called Leptospirosis. And Buhner recommends Sida Acuta to address Babesia because it is used as an antimalarial, even though there is no research showing it works for Babesia.

Buhner’s writings occurred before the discovery of persister Borrelia (Lyme) and Bartonella which I describe below. So, his writings did not specifically address how to deal with these hibernation forms of germs.

Enter Science

Over the last few years, researchers are rushing to find new ways to kill the terrible Bs (Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia). Some of the interest in looking at herbal medicine options is the discovery of hibernating persister growth states of Borrelia and Bartonella that do not respond to classic herbal medicines or prescription regimens that target growing states of these germs. Out of this laboratory work, we now know that Buhner’s Andrographis does not work against Borrelia, but many other agents do.

In 2023 Shor and Schweig published their review of newer laboratory studies showing which herbal medicines work in the lab to kill the growing, persister, and biofilm states of Borrelia and Bartonella. This work also reveals numerous agents that can kill Babesia. Table 1. below is drawn from the Shor-Schwieg article. My table is more limited than the one published in their paper but focuses on what I have found clinically to be the most relevant herbal antibiotics.

Table 1. Herbal Antibiotic Actions

How to Interpret Table 1
  • About G P B. Borrelia and Bartonella exist in growing states, hibernation states, and biofilm communities. The growing states are also called active states. The hibernators are also called persisters or stationary states. Biofilms are mostly known as biofilms. I prefer to use the terms growing (G), persister (P) and biofilms (B) while Shor and Schweig refer to active, stationary, and biofilm states. Keep this in mind if you review their article and more extensive table.
  • About Blank. In some instances, a blank space in the table means the research did not look to see if an herbal agent actually addresses the identified problem. For instance, Zhang and colleagues showed that cinnamon, clove, and oregano oils kill Borrelia biofilms, but their research did not look at whether these herbal oils help Bartonella biofilm. Given the similarity of biofilm structures, cinnamon, clove and oregano oils may actually be good agents against Bartonella biofilms.
  • About Sida Acuta and Houttuynia. Buhner recommends Sida Acuta and Houttuynia to address Bartonella. He also recommends Sida Acuta for Babesia. These key herbal antibiotics are not included in my table or the work of Shor-Schweig because there was no research conducted looking at these agents. This does not mean they do not work, but based on science, we do not know.  (See link for article)

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**Comment**

The article gives numerous treatment options for each pathogen.  We can be extremely thankful to have all of this information in an easy to find and use format which is supported by science.

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Category:

Babesia, Bartonella, Herbs, Lyme, research, Treatment

Antibodies to Bb & Bartonella in Serum and Synovial Fluid in Those With Rheumatic Diseases & Synovectomy for Lyme Arthritis

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10986562/

. 2024 Mar 14;12(4):e01653-23. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.01653-23

Antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi and Bartonella  species in serum and synovial fluid from people with rheumatic diseases

 1,✉,  1,  2,  3,  3,  3,  4,✉
Editor: Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska5
PMCID: PMC10986562  PMID: 38483477
ABSTRACT

Vector-borne infections may underlie some rheumatic diseases, particularly in people with joint effusions. This study aimed to compare serum and synovial fluid antibodies to B. burgdorferi and Bartonella spp. in patients with rheumatic diseases. This observational, cross-sectional study examined paired synovial fluid and serum specimens collected from 110 patients with joint effusion between October 2017 and January 2022. Testing for antibodies to B. burgdorferi (using CDC criteria) and Bartonella spp. via two indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assays was performed as part of routine patient care at the Institute for Specialized Medicine (San Diego, CA, USA). There were 30 participants (27%) with positive two-tier B. burgdorferi serology and 26 participants (24%) with IFA seroreactivity (≥1:256) to B. henselae and/or B. quintana. Both B. burgdorferi IgM and IgG were detected more frequently in synovial fluid than serum: 27% of patients were either IgM or IgG positive in synovial fluid, compared to 15.5% in serum (P = 0.048). Conversely, B. henselae and B. quintana antibodies were detected more frequently in serum than synovial fluid; overall only 2% of patients had positive IFA titers in synovial fluid, compared to 24% who had positive IFA titers in serum (P < 0.001). There were no significant associations between B. burgdorferi or Bartonella spp. seroreactivity with any of the clinical rheumatological diagnoses. This study provides preliminary support for the importance of synovial fluid antibody testing for documenting exposure to B. burgdorferi but not for documenting exposure to Bartonella spp.

https://danielcameronmd.com/what-do-i-do-when-specialists-disagree/

Synovectomy for Lyme Arthritis

She had been ill for nearly two years when synovectomy for Lyme arthritis was recommended.

Her knee remained swollen, painful, and limiting despite treatment for Lyme arthritis. She had completed antibiotic therapy. When the swelling persisted, she was told the infection had been treated and what remained was inflammation.

Surgery was presented as the next step.

What was not discussed was how limited the supporting evidence actually is.

What Synovectomy Does—and Does Not Do

A synovectomy removes inflamed synovial tissue, most commonly from the knee. In some inflammatory arthritides, this can reduce swelling and improve joint function.

In synovectomy for Lyme arthritis, the procedure addresses local joint inflammation only. It does not treat Lyme disease systemically and has not been shown to prevent persistent or recurrent tick-borne infection in other organs.

The Evidence Supporting Synovectomy for Lyme Arthritis

The evidence supporting synovectomy for Lyme arthritis is narrow.

It rests primarily on a small case series published more than three decades ago involving patients with persistent knee effusions after antibiotic therapy. There are no large contemporary trials and no studies demonstrating that synovectomy alters the overall course of Lyme disease or prevents disease persistence outside the joint.

This context should be part of informed consent—but often isn’t.

Symptoms Beyond the Joint

Although the treatment plan focused on her knee, her illness extended beyond a single joint.

She experienced fatigue, cognitive slowing, and generalized symptoms that did not fit neatly into a surgical framework. These symptoms were not addressed in surgical discussions, despite their impact on daily function.

What Happened After Delay

After a period of delay, she was retreated medically.

Her improvement was gradual but meaningful. Over time, systemic symptoms eased and function improved—despite the prolonged course and delayed intervention.

Clinical Experience with Complex Lyme Arthritis Cases

In my practice, I see patients who have been told their joint inflammation is purely post-infectious, even when systemic symptoms suggest a broader process. Synovectomy may help select patients with truly isolated, refractory synovitis. But when symptoms extend beyond the joint, a careful re-evaluation—and, in some cases, medical retreatment—can be more clinically meaningful than focusing solely on tissue removal.

The decision should be based on the whole patient, not just the inflamed joint.

What Was Missing

A complete discussion would have made clear that synovectomy is a procedure aimed at reducing local joint inflammation, not at treating Lyme disease itself. It would have acknowledged that surgery has not been shown to prevent persistent or recurrent tick-borne infection elsewhere in the body, including the nervous system or other organs.

It also would have explained that the evidence supporting synovectomy in Lyme arthritis is limited, based largely on a small, decades-old case series rather than modern comparative trials. Importantly, it would have emphasized that even after prolonged symptoms, other medical options may still be appropriate, particularly when the clinical picture extends beyond a single joint.

Without this context—without an honest discussion of what is known, what is uncertain, and what alternatives remain—patients cannot fully understand their choices. And without that understanding, consent cannot truly be considered informed.

❓ Common Questions Patients Ask About Synovectomy for Lyme Arthritis

Does synovectomy cure Lyme disease?
No. Synovectomy does not cure Lyme disease. It removes inflamed tissue from a joint but does not treat infection elsewhere in the body.

Is there strong scientific evidence supporting synovectomy for Lyme arthritis?
No. The evidence is limited and largely based on a small case series published in the early 1990s. There are no modern randomized trials.

Can synovectomy prevent persistent Lyme infection in other organs?
No studies have shown that synovectomy prevents persistent or recurrent tick-borne infection in the nervous system, heart, or other tissues.

🩺 Clinician Perspective

Most patients with Lyme arthritis improve with antibiotics. A smaller subset develops persistent joint inflammation. In carefully selected cases, synovectomy may reduce localized synovitis.

However, the evidence remains limited, and the procedure has not been shown to alter systemic Lyme disease or prevent persistent infection in other tissues. Ethical care requires that these limits be disclosed as part of informed consent.

Resources
  1. Lochhead RB, et al. Post-infectious Lyme arthritis and immune-mediated synovitis. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol.
  2. Schoen RT, et al. Arthroscopic synovectomy in antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 1991.
  3. CDC. Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease
  4. Dr. Daniel Cameron: Lyme Science Blog. Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease
  5. Dr. Daniel Cameron: Lyme Science Blog. Lyme Disease Symptoms

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Category:

Bartonella, Lyme, research, Treatment

Lyme Disease Coinfections & the Brain

http://

Lyme Disease Coinfections and the Brain

Feb 26, 2026
Clinical Strategies for Neuropsychiatric and Neurological Recovery
Join Dr. Aylin Ozdemir for an expert-led exploration of the neurological and neuropsychiatric complexities of Lyme disease and associated co-infections, based on a recently published peer-reviewed research paper (June 2025).
This webinar examines why Lyme disease is frequently misdiagnosed in patients presenting with cognitive, behavioural, and neurological symptoms, and how expanded diagnostic approaches can reveal underlying immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation when standard testing falls short.
Drawing from real-world clinical cases, viewers will learn about integrative therapeutic approaches to support neurological and neuropsychiatric recovery. We’ll explore practical strategies to better recognise, treat, and support recovery in complex neuro-Lyme presentations:
Why Lyme disease often presents as psychiatric or neurological illness The limitations of standard testing How expanded diagnostics improve detection Clinical insight: Real-world case examples Recognising complex neuropsychiatric presentations Integrative therapeutic approaches: Antimicrobial strategies Immune modulation Neuroprotective and mitochondrial support Long-term maintenance protocols to help reduce relapse Dr. Kunal Garg provides a brief overview of the application of CARE Guidelines, highlighting the importance of rigorous case documentation and high-quality publishing in advancing evidence-informed Lyme disease care.
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Category:

Activism, Babesia, Bartonella, Lyme

Bartonella and Borrelia-Related Disease Presenting as a Neurological Condition Revealing the Need for Better Diagnostics

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/1/209

Bartonella and Borrelia-Related Disease Presenting as a Neurological Condition Revealing the Need for Better Diagnostics

by Marna E. Ericson1, B. Robert Mozayeni1, Laurie Radovsky2 and Lynne T. Bemis3,*
1T Lab Inc., Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA
2Laurie Radovsky, M.D. LLC., St. Paul, MN 55102, USA
3Department of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School Duluth Campus, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Microorganisms 2024, 12(1), 209; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010209
Submission received: 21 December 2023 / Revised: 16 January 2024 / Accepted: 18 January 2024 / Published: 19 January 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bartonella and Bartonellosis: New Advances and Further Challenges)

Abstract

The diagnostic tests available to identify vector-borne pathogens have major limitations. Clinicians must consider an assortment of often diverse symptoms to decide what pathogen or pathogens to suspect and test for. Even then, there are limitations to the currently available indirect detection methods, such as serology, or direct detection methods such as molecular tests with or without culture enrichment. Bartonella spp., which are considered stealth pathogens, are particularly difficult to detect and diagnose. We present a case report of a patient who experienced a spider bite followed by myalgia, lymphadenopathy, and trouble sleeping. She did not test positive for Bartonella spp. through clinically available testing. Her symptoms progressed and she was told she needed a double hip replacement. Prior to the surgery, her blood was submitted for novel molecular testing, where Bartonella spp. was confirmed, and a spirochete was also detected. Additional testing using novel methods over a period of five years found Bartonella henselae and Borrelia burgdorferi in her blood.
This patient’s case is an example of why new diagnostic methods for vector-borne pathogens are urgently needed and why new knowledge of the variable manifestations of Bartonellosis need to be provided to the medical community to inform and heighten their index of suspicion.
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**Comment**
You will recognize Marna Ericson’s name as her son had a severe bartonella infection.  She managed to take advanced imaging techniques on samples and found Bartonella alive and well in tissues surrounding where a PIC line had been removed.  She has teamed up with other researchers investigating Bartonella.  We can be extremely thankful for their work.
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Category:

Bartonella, Lyme, research, Treatment