Archive for the ‘Bartonella’ Category

Review of PSI Joint Infections in Pediatrics – All With Negative Blood Cultures: Bartonella & Brucella, Among Others

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31130517

2019 May 23. pii: S1695-4033(18)30548-4. doi: 10.1016/j.anpedi.2018.07.017. [Epub ahead of print]

[Pyogenic sacroiliitis: Lessons learned from an atypical case series].

[Article in Spanish]
Arcângelo J1, Norte Ramos S2, Alves P3, Tavares D2, Gouveia C4.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Pyogenic sacroiliitis (PSI) is a rare condition that amounts to 1% to 2% of all joint infections in the paediatric age group. Its diagnosis is often difficult and delayed due to its nonspecific signs, symptoms and physical findings. Also, the identification of the causative microorganism is frequently challenging due to a high proportion of negative blood cultures and the risks involved in joint aspiration in this site.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

We performed a retrospective review of the health records of all patients aged less than 18 years admitted to a tertiary children’s hospital due to PSI between 2008 and 2016.

RESULTS:

We identified 6 cases of paediatric PSI. The blood cultures were negative, and the identification of the causative agent required joint fluid aspiration in one patient with infection by Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, and specific screening tests for less frequent agents in the other patients: Kingella kingae (n=2), Brucella melitensis (n=1) and Bartonella henselae (n=1). The patients were treated with specific antimicrobial regimens, and all had favourable clinical outcomes and were free from sequelae during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite the small sample size, our study evinced the low effectiveness of blood cultures for diagnosis of paediatric PSI. It also highlights the need for a high level of suspicion for atypical agents and the early use of adequate diagnostic methods, including imaging and serological testing or polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) analysis of blood samples, as well as prescription of effective antimicrobial therapy.

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**Comment**

Pyogenic sacroiliitis = puss forming joint infection in the sacroiliac joint.

iu-16

Brucella melitensis, a gram negative rod-shaped bacteria, is a human pathogen (Malta fever), B.abortus (Bang’s disease), and in rare cases, B. suis and B. canis. Transmission occurs through animal contact (birth) or animal products, inhalation of infected particles, STD, breastfeeding, bone marrow transplants, blood products, and yes, ticks.  Pathogens are found in macrophages which are transported to lymph nodes, then spread throughout the body.  Treatment consists of doxycycline, rifampicin, & gentamicin.  Also, Ciprofloxin 500mg twice a day for 7-14 days.  http://brucellamelitensis.com

http://drsusanmarra.com/patient-resources/lyme-disease/brucella/ It has been found in eggs, larvae and engorged females of Dermacentor marginatus ticks (that bite humans)  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877959X17303990

Hosts are most mammals including humans.  http://www.bristoluniversitytickid.uk/page/Dermacentor+marginatus/13/#.XPgbgS2ZPSc

Symptoms are very non-specific:  https://www.cdc.gov/brucellosis/symptoms/index.html

http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/brucellosis_melitensis.pdf  Actually the best information is found here.

And…according to the CDC:  https://www.cdc.gov/brucellosis/clinicians/brucella-species.html

*Three types of the bacteria that cause brucellosis – Brucella abortus, Brucella melitensis and Brucella suis – are designated as select agents. This means that they have the potential to be developed as bioterrorism agents due to their ability to undergo aerosolization.

Oh goody, another potential bioweaponized agent spread by ticks.

For more on the history of brucella as a bioweapon:  https://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/intro/bio_brucellosis.htm

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8425348?dopt=Abstract  Acute Lyme arthritis in the hip mimicking acute pyogenic arthritis in 5-year old girl.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358077/  Bartonella & all sorts of rheumatic symptoms in patients from Lyme endemic regions with histories of cat, dog, mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, and biting fly exposure.

Staph is usually the culprit, but this case report highlights that Lyme, Bartonella, Brucella, and mycoplasma should be tested for as well.  Things to watch for in children/babies – pain with diaper changes, limping, fever, irritability, decreased range of motion in the pelvic area.  This review stated the highest incidence was in adolescents:  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00431-019-03333-8, but that it’s an under recognized entity in infants with an unidentified bacterial source.  Could this be a manifestation of congenital Lyme/MSIDS that’s flying under the radar?

 

 

 

 

Category:

Bartonella, Lyme, research, Testing, Ticks, Transmission, Treatment

High Titers of Bartonella Found in Patients With Musculoskeletal Complaints

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31115789

2019 May 22. doi: 10.1007/s10067-019-04591-5. [Epub ahead of print]

The seroprevalence of Bartonella spp. in the blood of patients with musculoskeletal complaints and blood donors, Poland: a pilot study.

Łysakowska ME1, Brzezińska O2, Szybka M3, Konieczka M3, Moskwa S3, Brauncajs M3, Makowska J2, Pastuszak-Lewandoska D3, Grzegorczyk J3.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Bartonella spp. can cause a variety of diseases, such as lymphadenopathies, cat scratch disease, and trench fever, but can also give rise to many non-specific symptoms. No data exists regarding the prevalence of Bartonella spp. in patients with musculoskeletal complaints, nor among blood donors in Poland.

METHODS:

The presence of anti-Bartonella IgM and IgG in the serum of blood donors (n = 65) (Lodz, Poland) and in the patients of the Department of Rheumatology Clinic (n = 40) suffering from musculoskeletal symptoms was tested by immunofluorescence. Blood samples were cultured on enriched media. Epidemiological questionnaires were used to identify key potential risk factors, such as sex, age, contact with companion animals, and bites from insects or animals.

RESULTS:

Altogether,

  • 27 of the 105 tested subjects were seropositive for Bartonella henselae IgG (23%)
  • 3 for Bartonella quintana IgG (2.85%)
  • IgMs against B. henselae were found in 3 individuals (2.85%)
  • IgMs against B. quintana were found in one (1.54%)

No statistically significant difference was found between the prevalence of B. henselae in the blood of donors or patients and the presence of unexplained musculoskeletal complaints (23% vs 30%). Individuals who had kept or been scratched by cats were not more likely to be B. henselae seropositive (p > 0.01). Tick bites were more commonly reported in patients, but insignificantly (p > 0.01).

CONCLUSION:

This is the first report of a high seroprevalence of anti-Bartonella IgG in patients with musculoskeletal symptoms and in blood donors in Poland. The obtained results indicate that such seroprevalence may have a possible significance in the development of musculoskeletal symptoms, although it should be confirmed on a larger group of patients. Asymptomatic bacteremia might occur and pose a threat to recipients of blood from infected donors. Hence, there is a need for more detailed research, including molecular biology methods, to clarify the potential risk of Bartonella spp. being spread to immunocompromised individuals.

KEY POINTS:

•This is the first study presenting high seroprevalence of Bartonella spp. in Poland. • IgG and IgM antibodies against B. quintana were found in blood samples of blood donors.

 

Category:

Bartonella, research, Testing, Ticks

How Vector-Borne Diseases Impact Heart Health

https://www.galaxydx.com/bartonella-lyme-impact-heart-health/

written on

How Vector-Borne Diseases Impact Heart Health

Both bartonellosis and Lyme disease are associated with dangerous heart conditions that can be fatal in some cases. The heart has three important aspects that can be affected by disease: electrical, structural, and muscular. Bartonella and Borrelia species can negatively impact all three of these.

Electrical

The electrical function of the heart causes the muscles to contract in a specific sequence for ideal blood flow. These electrical patterns can be seen on an ECG (electrocardiogram) tracing. Specific pathways carry electrical impulses at different speeds to cause the heart to beat correctly. If an impulse is too fast or too slow, the heart will beat inefficiently, which may be fatal.

Carditis is a localized or diffuse swelling of the heart tissues. It can disrupt electrical signals in the heart, causing a “heart block.” An example of this is when the signal from the atrioventricular node (AV node) is interrupted. Less commonly, a patient may also experience atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heartbeat that can reduce the amount of blood moving through the heart.

A heart block can be detected as an abnormality on an ECG. A severe heart block can prevent the heart from getting the electrical stimulation necessary to beat, leading to sudden death.

 

The AV node sends electrical impulses through the heart, leading to muscle contractions. If a complete or partial heart block occurs, the signal is interrupted (Source: CDC). 

 

Borrelia spirochetes have a characteristic corkscrew shape. They can be seen in stained heart tissue (Source: CDC).

“Lyme carditis” is carditis caused by Lyme disease and occurs in up to 10% of people who contract Lyme disease. It occurs when Borrelia spirochetes infiltrate heart tissue, resulting in inflammation.

Heart blocks can be treated with a pacemaker. It is important to know if the heart block is caused by Lyme carditis. If it is, the patient can use a temporary pacemaker until the carditis is resolved with antibiotic treatment eliminating the need for a permanent pacemaker.

Since these slow heartbeats are the most common result of infection, fast heartbeats can be missed as a symptom of infection. Nevertheless, different kinds of fast electrical impulses like tachycardia and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) can also be caused by infections.

Structural

The structure of the heart valves consists of fibrous material and collagen with very little blood supply into the tissue. Healthy valves allow blood to flow through the chambers of the heart while preventing backward flow. The cells in heart valves are extremely slow-growing and slow-dividing. Consequently, valves are unable to heal the way other tissue does and are susceptible to infection.

Abnormalities in heart valves can increase the risk of infection. About one in fifty people have abnormalities in how their valves developed in gestation. As people age, their valves can develop additional abnormalities, including calcification. Genetic differences such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) can also make valves more likely to deteriorate over time.

 

The heart is made up of four chambers that receive blood sequentially. The tricuspid and mitral valves prevent backward flow of blood (Source: NIH).

Endocarditis is a swelling of the inner layer of the heart. It is often caused by a pathogen that can strike these vulnerable structures. Sometimes inflammation from the pathogen causes fibrin and other materials in the blood to stick to the heart valves. As more of this material sticks together, it grows in the shape of a plant off of the heart valve. The growth is called a “vegetation” because of this shape.

If someone has endocarditis, blood samples will be taken to see if the pathogen can be identified. If no pathogen is identified, the diagnosis is “culture-negative endocarditis.” A common cause of culture-negative endocarditis in humans and animals is Bartonella species infection. A recently published case described a 28-year old patient with a history of homelessness who was positive for Bartonella quintana using PCR. Bartonella quintana is transmitted to humans via lice and is the most common species associated with culture-negative endocarditis, but B. henselae, B. kohlerae, and other species have been implicated in these cases as well.

Rarely, Borrelia species including the species that causes Lyme disease can cause endocarditis. This is most likely because Borrelia typically do not remain in the bloodstream long after infection occurs. Likewise, research shows that Bartonella can cycle in and out of the bloodstream over the course of an infection. If endocarditis causes damage to the heart valves, the patient may require heart valve surgery.

Muscular

The muscles of the heart contract to move blood through the chambers of the heart. These muscles have a rich blood supply. Over time, the blood vessels supplying the heart can become damaged. Each time a blood vessel is damaged, the body makes a kind of band-aid for the damage out of cholesterol and fibrin. Eventually these build up into plaques which can block blood supply to the heart. This process is called coronary artery disease (CAD).

As plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, blood flow becomes restricted. This results in coronary artery disease. (Source: CDC).

Rarely, Lyme disease and Bartonella species infections affect the muscle of the heart directly. This can cause angina (heart pain) and damage like a heart attack. When the muscle is damaged, it releases chemicals that can be tested for in the blood. Usually heart muscle damage is caused by CAD. However, with Lyme disease, the test may be positive even though there is no problem with blood flow. In one small study, patients who were assumed to have CAD were tested for several infectious diseases; a number of them had Borrelia species infections, including Lyme disease.

Inflammation from the immune response to infectious disease can increase the cycle of damage to the heart vessels that is repaired with even more aggressive plaques, leading to earlier and more severe CAD than a person otherwise would have had. Despite this logical cause of disease, research on the association of CAD with Lyme disease or Bartonella species infections has had mixed results. It may be that the association between infectious disease and CAD involves additional variables that are unknown at this time.

Conclusion

Bartonellosis and Lyme disease can damage the heart in a variety of ways. Some of this damage may be permanent or require surgery. When a heart problem develops, it is important to consider infectious causes including bartonellosis and Lyme disease so that antibiotic treatment can be initiated and further damage or death can be prevented.

References

Hinton, R. B., & Yutzey, K. E. (2011). Heart valve structure and function in development and disease. Annual Review of Physiology, 73, 29-46. doi:10.1146/annurev-physiol-012110-142145 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4209403/

Scheffold, N. et al. (2015). Lyme carditis—Diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 112(12), 202-208. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2015.0202 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4395762/

Zainal, A. et al. (2019). Lyme carditis presenting as atrial fibrillation. BMJ Case Reports, 29(4), e228975. doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-228975 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31036741

Fatima, B. et al. (2018). Lyme disease—An unusual cause of a mitral valve endocarditis.  May Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 2(4), 398-401. Doi:10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2018.09.003 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6260468/

Gilson, J. et al. (2017). Lyme disease presenting with facial palsy and myocarditis mimicking myocardial infarction. Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives, 7(6), 363-365. doi:10.1080/20009666.2017.1396170 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5738646/

Kubánek, M. et al. (2012). Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in endomyocardial biopsy specimens in individuals with recent-onset dilated cardiomyopathy. European Journal of Heart Failure, 14(6), 588-596. doi:10.1093/eurjhf/hfs027 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22379178

Stöllberger, C. et al. (2001). Seroprevalence of antibodies to microorganisms known to cause arterial and myocardial damage in patients with or without coronary stenosis. Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, 8(5), 997-1002. doi:10.1128/CDLI.8.5.997-1002.2001 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC96185/

Patel, S. et al. (2019). A case of Bartonella quintana culture-negative endocarditis. American Journal of Case Reports, 20, 602-606. doi:10.12659/AJCR.915215 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31026253

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**Comment**

Great article; however, a reminder that nobody’s really got a bead on how many with Lyme/MSIDS have heart issues.  When testing misses over half of all cases with mainstream medicine’s head in the sand, there are many with heart issues flying under the radar or blamed on something else.

Please note that the article states the importance of knowing if the heart issues ARE caused by Lyme/MSIDS as proper treatment will often ameliorate the problem.  This is true with nearly every other symptom as well.  Knowing is everything but mainstream medicine at this point in time would rather diagnose you with anything BUT Lyme/MSIDS so you need to see ILADS trained health professionals. I could pull up 100 articles of people who went to doctor after doctor only to be misdiagnosed for years that had an underlying Lyme/MSIDS infection that could have been treated. Due to the delay, many never retrieved their health back.

Diagnosing Lyme/MSIDS requires a shift in thinking that mainstream doctors haven’t been wiling to make. Plus, we do not fit into a 10 minute Western Medicine managed care paradigm.

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/03/10/when-lyme-hurts-your-heart-warning-signs-solutions/

LET’S SUFFICE IT TO SAY, HEART ISSUES WITH TICK BORNE ILLNESS IS NOT RARE.

 

Category:

Bartonella, Heart Issues, Lyme

Woman Wakes up With Black Eye & Swollen Face After Cat Scratch That Left Her on IV Drip For Four Days

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7053027/Woman-42-wakes-BLACK-EYE-swollen-face-scratched-cat.html

Woman, 42, wakes up with a BLACK EYE and swollen face after being scratched by her cat that left her on an IV drip for four days

  • Heidi Plamping had been trying to calm down her cat, Storm, who was scared
  • The cat scratched her on the face and arm, but Ms Plamping wasn’t worried
  • Three days later she woke up with a mild reaction she thought was due to dust
  • But her face was soon covered in a rash, and she needed to visit the hospital 

By VANESSA CHALMERS HEALTH REPORTER FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 21 May 2019 

A woman woke up with a black eye and swollen face after being scratched by her pet cat.

Heidi Plamping, from Canada, had been trying to calm down her cat, Storm, who had been freaked by a large dog.

As three-year-old Storm clambered on to her head for refuge, her claws caught Ms Plamping’s skin, drawing blood.

When the 42-year-old’s eyes and hands started to swell three days later, she thought dust mites were to blame.

But her face worsened over the next few days, to the point where it was covered in a rash.  She was given pills by her doctor and sent home.

However, they did not work and she needed to go to the hospital every day for four days to receive a drip of antibiotics to fight her swelling.

Doctors warned her cat scratches can be very serious – cats carry and can transfer bacteria, which, in very rare cases, can lead to life-threatening complications such as sepsis.

Heidi Plamping, 42, of Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, had been trying to calm down her cat, Storm, who scratched her face and arm as she clambered onto her head for safety
Heidi Plamping, 42, of Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, had been trying to calm down her cat, Storm, who scratched her face and arm as she clambered onto her head for safety

Ms Plamping's face swelled and became covered in a rash that worsened over the course of a few days. Pictured, on May 8, six days after being scratched

Ms. Plamping’s face swelled and became covered in a rash that worsened over the course of a few days.  Pictured, on May 8, six days after being scratched.

Ms Plamping had to go to hospital every day to receive a drip of antibiotics. Pictured on May 10

Ms. Plamping had to go to the hospital every day to receive a drip of antibiotics.  Pictured May 10.
As three-year-old Storm clambered onto Ms Plamping's her head for refuge, her claws caught Ms Plamping's skin ten times. Pictured, cuts to her face
As three-year-old Storm clambered onto Ms Plamping’s head for refuge, her claws caught Ms Plamping’s skin ten times.  Pictured, cuts to her face.

Ms Plamping, a digital marketing consultant who lives in Cochrane, Alberta, had travelled to British Columbia at the start of May with Storm to stay and work with friends for the summer.

When they arrived on May 2, Ms Plamping let Storm out on her lead as she had done countless times before when they’ve visited the unidentified friend.

However, since their last visit, Ms Plamping’s friend had got two Great Danes who were very friendly and excited to meet Storm.

The large dogs scared her and she started to get tangled in her lead as she panicked to get away.

Ms Plamping said: ‘Their dogs are very friendly, but my cat hasn’t met a dog before so when one of them showed up she freaked out.’

Ms Plamping rushed to Storm’s rescue and started to untangle her beloved cat as she climbed up her face to the safety of her head.

Ms Plamping said: ‘Eventually I picked her up so I could bring her inside. She was so scared she climbed my face to my head while I screamed murder and put her inside.’

As a result, Ms Plamping had seven scratches on her face and three more on her hand and arm.

When she woke up the next day with a black eye, Ms Plamping thought nothing more of her injuries.

But by May 5, Ms Plamping had a swollen hand and eyes. Due to having sensitive skin, she thought that she could possibly be having a reaction to any dust that could have been present in her new surroundings.

Storm, pictured, was freaked by a Great Dane dog at Ms Plamping's friend's houseStorm, pictured, was freaked by a Great Dane dog at Ms Plamping’s friend’s house

When Ms Plamping woke up the day after the scratches with a black eye (pictured), but didn't think much of her injuries
When Ms Plamping woke up the day after the scratches with a black eye (pictured), but didn’t think much of her injuries
But by May 5, Ms Plamping had a swollen hand and eyes (pictured). Due to having sensitive skin, she thought that she could possibly be having a reaction to dust mites
But by May 5, Ms Plamping had a swollen hand and eyes (pictured). Due to having sensitive skin, she thought that she could possibly be having a reaction to dust mites
On May 7, pictured, Ms Plamping's face was significantly more swollen and covered in rashes so she went back to the doctor she had seen the day before

On May 7, pictured, Ms Plamping’s face was significantly more swollen and covered in rashes so she went back to the doctor she had seen the day before

Ms Plamping said: 'When they had to order antibiotics that had to go into me through an IV, I knew it was serious'. Pictured, an IV line to administer the drugs

Ms Plamping said: ‘When they had to order antibiotics that had to go into me through an IV, I knew it was serious’. Pictured, an IV line to administer the drugs

She said: ‘I haven’t had a bad skin reaction in a long time but since high school I have had sensitive skin.

‘I have had rashes off and on all my life from dust, detergent, perfumes and dyes.’

The next day her symptoms were worse, and she went to a doctor where she was given pills and told to come back the next day if her condition deteriorated.

On May 7, Ms Plamping’s face was significantly more swollen and covered in rashes so she went back to the doctor who was shocked.

Ms Plamping said: ‘This time they were a bit freaked out by my face and informed me how bad cat scratches and bites can get. It can lead to sepsis and even death.’

Cats carry bacteria, one of which, called Bartonella henselae, can cause infection in a human when it is transmitted through a deep cut or bite.

About three to 14 days after the skin is broken, a mild infection can occur at the site of the injury, and then progress to become swollen, red and painful.

Known as ‘cat-scratch disease’, it can become fatal if not treated quickly. The CDC and NHS are quick to assure people that the dangerous cases are generally rare.

But other experts warn that cat bites and scratches can be ‘devastating in terms of infection and permanent disability’, if left untreated.

Official figures suggest around 12,000 Americans get cat scratch disease each year. It is unsure how many Britons develop the infection.

Ms Plamping, a digital marketing consultant, said it wasn't the first week in British Columbia she had been hoping for. Pictured, on May 13 when the swelling and rashes had almost gone

Ms Plamping, a digital marketing consultant, said it wasn’t the first week in British Columbia she had been hoping for. Pictured, on May 13 when the swelling and rashes had almost gone

Ms Plamping, pictured before the drama, said if she had to rescue Storm again, she would
Ms Plamping, pictured before the drama, said if she had to rescue Storm again, she would
Ms Plamping has had Storm ever since she was four months old and said that this incident hasn't changed their relationship. Pictured together
Ms Plamping has had Storm ever since she was four months old and said that this incident hasn’t changed their relationship. Pictured together 
Ms Plamping was put on an IV and had to return every day for four days to get a new dose of antibiotics administered.

She said: ‘They said it is common for cat scratches or bites to cause infection. When they had to order antibiotics that had to go into me through an IV, I knew it was serious but was just thankful that we were heading in the right direction to make me better.

‘The next day, the swelling was going down but a rash was spreading on my arm. 

‘The doctor outlined my arm where the rash was and told me to go to the emergency room if it spread any further that night. Thankfully it didn’t and once the hand swelling went down they finally gave me prednisone [a medication to calm the immune system] to help with the swelling and rash in my face.’

The medication made Ms Plamping nauseous and sleepy, and she said: ‘I started getting upset when my face was so tight and itchy.

‘I knew it would get better, but I was growing impatient. So, it wasn’t exactly the first week in British Columbia that I had pictured for myself.’

Following her ordeal, animal lover Ms Plamping said that Storm looked at her funny for a few days whilst the swelling went down.

But the two forgave each other instantly and Ms Plamping said she wouldn’t hesitate to rescue Storm again if the situation arose.

Ms Plamping has had Storm ever since she was four months old and said that this incident hasn’t changed their relationship, but Storm is now more wary of going outside.

‘Storm is very hesitant to leave the cabin. Back home in Alberta she freely goes outside. Here she is nervous about the dog,’ said Ms Plamping.

‘If I had to protect her again and pick her up, I would. I don’t have kids. She is my baby. My fur baby.

‘I wasn’t aware that cat scratches were so infectious. If you get a cat scratch or bite, go to your doctor right away.’

CAN YOU GET AN INFECTION FROM A CAT SCRATCH?

Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a bacterial infection spread by cats. The disease spreads when an infected cat licks a person’s open wound, or bites or scratches a person hard enough to break the surface of the skin. 

About three to 14 days after the skin is broken, a mild infection can occur at the site of the scratch or bite.

The infected area may appear swollen and red with round, raised lesions and can have pus. The infection can feel warm or painful. A person with CSD may also have a fever, headache, poor appetite, and exhaustion.

Later, the person’s lymph nodes closest to the original scratch or bite can become swollen, tender, or painful.

CSD is caused by a bacterium called Bartonella henselae. About 40% of cats carry B. henselae at some time in their lives, and it is more common in kittens. 

Although rare, CSD can cause people to have serious complications. CSD can affect the brain, eyes, heart, or other internal organs.

These rare complications, which may require intensive treatment, are more likely to occur in children younger than five years and people with weakened immune systems.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU’RE BITTEN BY AN ANIMAL? 

  • Clean the wound immediately by running warm tap water over it for a couple of minutes, even if the skin does not appear broken.
  • Remove any dirt or foreign objects from the wound.
  • Encourage the wound to bleed slightly by gentle squeezing (unless already bleeding freely).
  • If there is heavy bleeding, place a clean pad or sterile dressing over wound and apply pressure.
  • Dry the wound and cover with a clean dressing or plaster.
  • Seek medical advice unless the wound is very minor.
  • For severe wounds, go to A&E. 

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**Comment**

Bartonella with cat scratch and fairly immediate & severe symptoms, while scary, is fairly straight forward.  Bartonella, without cat exposure that smolders over years, along with potential tick bites and other pathogen involvement can be devastating, fly under the radar, and remain undiagnosed for years.  This is what many Lyme/MSIDS patients struggle with.  

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/05/07/fox-news-bartonella-is-the-new-lyme-disease/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/03/24/cat-scratch-disease-caused-teens-schizophrenia-like-symptoms-report-says/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/03/02/skin-inflammation-nodules-letting-the-cat-out-of-the-bag/  Cases of Bartonella with NO cat exposure listed in comment section.

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/04/24/human-bartonellosis-an-underappreciated-public-health-problem/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/05/09/bartonella-transmitted-to-children-at-birth-causing-chronic-infections/

More about Bartonella & Treatments: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/01/03/bartonella-treatment/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/05/05/good-news-for-bartonella-patients-identification-of-fda-approved-drugs-with-higher-activity-than-current-front-line-drugs/

Pets can also bring ticks into the house to infect you:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/08/12/pet-owners-have-nearly-2-times-the-risk-of-finding-ticks/

 https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/01/29/woman-links-lyme-disease-diagnosis-to-pet-cat-sleeping-in-bed/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/05/28/septic-shock-caused-by-rmsf-in-suburban-texas-patient-with-pet-dog-exposure-a-case-report/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/09/20/tick-infestations-of-wildlife-companion-animals-in-ontario-canada-with-detection-of-human-pathogens-in-ixodes-scapularis-ticks/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/04/16/april-lyme-prevention-month-for-dogs-a-pet-owners-guide/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/05/14/tick-population-soaring-as-local-vets-see-lyme-disease-cases-in-dogs-quadruple/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/10/02/fda-flea-tick-meds-for-pets-causing-seizures-neurological-issues/

If you are currently treating your fur baby with Bravecto, Nexgard or Simparica you need to be careful. According to the FDA, some animals treated with these medications

“have experienced adverse events such as muscle tremors, ataxia, and seizure.”1 There is also another product in that class of drugs called, Credelio (it recently received FDA approval).

Category:

Activism, Bartonella, Inflammation, Treatment

What Role Do Co-infections Play in Lyme Disease Diagnosis?

https://www.bca-clinic.de/en/what-role-do-co-infections-play-in-lyme-disease-diagnosis/

What Role Do Co-infections Play In Lyme Disease Diagnosis?

10. May 2019in BCA-clinic

Chronic Lyme disease is an intimidating enough prospect by itself. Unfortunately, a large number of cases are compounded by Lyme co-infections – additional diseases that are transferred simultaneously with the Lyme-causative Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Ticks are responsible for all these transmitted infections; they carry the strains that are passed on to their human hosts. Unfortunately, many patients don’t realise that co-infections even exist, and more crucially, many doctors don’t either. It’s extremely important to test for co-infections at the same time as Lyme disease diagnosis, as they can compound or revitalise the primary debilitating symptoms of the umbrella infection. This makes simultaneous diagnosis an important area of study for Lyme-literate doctors.

The majority of co-infections will exacerbate the symptoms of chronic Lyme itself. They modulate and stymy the immune system, as well as providing resistance to therapy. Chronic Lyme disease diagnosis in itself is a controversial topic, whose waters do not need muddying further. Acute Lyme is relatively straightforward to diagnose, if the distinctive bullseye rash is present. This rash – a red circle surrounded by a larger red circle, forming the shape of a bullseye – will be noticeable in the majority of cases, although it can be easily missed. Once the infection develops to chronic Lyme, however, the process of diagnosis becomes much more difficult, as Lyme is not usually considered among potential diseases.

Lyme is sometimes nicknamed ‘the Great Imitator’, due to its symptoms mimicking the symptoms of other significant diseases. The symptoms themselves bear very little resemblance to the initial ones presented by acute Lyme, instead differing in severity from patient to patient. Broadly, they encompass everything from fatigue, joint pain and muscle pain to depression, neurological issues, headaches and sleep disturbances. These symptoms are so broad that it’s easy to see why under-educated doctors will often reach for something more common, like multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia. When it comes to Lyme, misdiagnosis rates are estimated to be extremely high, with the full extent unknown. Co-infections can cloud diagnosis by adding more symptoms, presenting new ones, or making others more pronounced. To fully benefit Lyme disease treatment, the full spectrum of issues must be investigated and laid out before the process begins.

The full range of symptoms must be examined during Lyme disease diagnosis.

BCA-lab, who are Lyme specialists based in Augsburg, Germany, understand co-infections very well. They will run a full gamut of tests early on in the treatment process in an effort to understand exactly what the patient is suffering from, and how precisely they’re suffering from it. Some of the main diseases they test for can severely change the way Lyme develops within the body, and how it should be treated. Some co-infections can even revitalise the Lyme disease symptoms after the primary Borrelia infection has been dealt with, leading patients to believe that either they are not fully cured, or that they were never suffering from Lyme in the first place.

One of the most common Lyme co-infections is Bartonellosis. If this co-infection is present in the initial tick bite, and is allowed to run amok within the system, it can be expected to have substantial significance to the overarching Lyme infection. The clinical manifestations of both diseases contain numerous overlaps, and the symptoms presented by both are undeniably broad. Bartonellosis is still not well understood by the medical community at large; it was initially thought to be relatively benign. However, the long-term effects and symptoms of the disease are intimidating, especially if paired with Lyme. They include fever, fatigue, joint pain, muscle ache and brain fog. More alarmingly, the disease can have a range of neurological effects, resulting in symptoms such as panic attacks, seizures, depression, epilepsy and psychosis. Many of these symptoms are extremely similar to the ones presented by chronic Lyme, which makes differentiating them at the diagnostic stage a critical first step.

Another common co-infection is Chlamydophila pneumoniae, the primary manifestation of which is the well-known and well-understood pneumoniae. However, left over a long period of time, Chlamydophila pneumonia can severely compromise the body’s immune system by placing it under extreme stress. Upper respiratory infections can be a huge drain on the immune response, especially if they are recurring. Given the fact that chronic Lyme already sends the immune system haywire, Chlamydophila pneumoniae is a very dangerous co-infection, if left to its own devices. To compound this, the infection is quite hard to both detect and treat, as chlamydia are much smaller than other pathogens. Mixed in with Lyme disease and possible other co-infections, it can often go undetected.

Chlamydophila pneumoniae can be one of the more dangerous Lyme co-infections.

 

Bartonellosis and Chlamydophila pneumoniae are just two examples of co-infections that can cause severe problems for Lyme patients if they are not dealt with adequately. Currently, the answer to the question posed by this article, ‘what role do co-infections play in Lyme disease diagnosis’, is simply ‘not enough’. There needs to be a combined and concerted effort on the part of medical health professionals everywhere to engage with co-infections and recognise the danger they pose to Lyme patients. Diagnosis is often the hardest part of the Lyme battle; it’s the stage where we should strive to get everything right the first time. Correct diagnosis across the Lyme disease spectrum lays a strong foundation for successful patient treatment and subsequent recovery.

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**Comment**

Great article overall, just remember this is written by a lab that does testing for profit, so their first priority is selling tests.

Testing throughout the history of Lyme/MSIDS has been extremely poor.  Most testing is serological testing – utilizing blood, where frankly these pathogens do not hang out.  They are stealth pathogens and burrow deep within the body to avoid the immune system, treatment, AND testing.

LLMD’S (Lyme literate doctors) are educated in the symptomology of these diseases and can diagnose you clinically.  Treatment is often a bit of “Let’s try this and see,” approach as everyone is so different with numerous variables.  This is why mainstream medicine is woefully unprepared and uneducated for all of this.  They simply are ignorant.

To date, nobody has a true bead on what the implications of multiple pathogens fighting synergistically to the body are, but this work is screaming to be done as recent research has borne polymicrobialism out to be true:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/10/30/study-shows-lyme-msids-patients-infected-with-many-pathogens-and-explains-why-we-are-so-sick/

Mainstream medicine STILL hasn’t acknowledged or dealt with this FACT.

It makes the CDC/IDSA mono-therapy of doxycycline a true joke. As well as their FDA-approved 2-tiered testing which misses half of all cases.

Bartonella, as mentioned in this article, is a HUGE player that up until recently has been considered a benign disease with required of cat exposure, yet any Lyme literate doctor OR patient will tell you Bart is far from benign, and a plethora of case studies have proven you don’t have to be around cats to contract it.  In fact, personally, it is my Achilles heel.  It’s what I deal with – perhaps forever.

Great read on the types of chlamydia:  https://articles.mercola.com/chlamydia/types.aspx The first two are mentioned in the abstract:

  • Chlamydia trachomatis can be passed from one person to another via unprotected sexual intercourse. Pain English: this is a STD.
  • Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae), a nonsexually transmitted disease that infects the lungs and causes bacterial pneumonia.
  • Chlamydia psittaci is another chlamydia strain that can lead to a rare condition called psittacosis, aka “parrot fever.”

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/10/07/chlamydia-like-organisms-found-in-ticks/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/04/19/first-study-showing-borrelia-chlamydia-mixed-biofilms-in-infected-human-skin-tissues/  Excerpt:  

IN SUMMARY, OUR STUDY IS THE FIRST TO SHOW BORRELIA–CHLAMYDIA MIXED BIOFILMS IN INFECTED HUMAN SKIN TISSUES, WHICH RAISES THE QUESTIONS OF WHETHER THESE HUMAN PATHOGENS HAVE DEVELOPED A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP FOR THEIR MUTUAL SURVIVAL.

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/03/09/researchers-identify-herpes-1-chlamydia-pneumoniae-several-types-of-spirochaete-as-major-causes-of-alzheimers/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/04/04/correlation-of-natural-autoantibodies-heart-disease-related-antibacterial-antibodies-in-pericardial-fluid-mycoplasma-bb-chlamydia/  Excerpt:

Mycoplasma pneumoniae antibody positive patients had significantly higher anti-CS IgM levels. In CABG patients we found a correlation between anti-CS IgG levels and Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Borrelia burgdorferi antibody titers. Our results provide the first evidence that natural autoantibodies are present in the PF and they show significant correlation with certain antibacterial antibody titers in a disease specific manner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category:

Activism, Bartonella, Lyme, Psychological Aspects, Testing, Ticks, Treatment