Archive for the ‘Lyme’ Category

Molecular Detection of Anaplasma, Babesia odocoilei, Babesia spp. & Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Songbirds

https://www.jelsciences.com/articles/jbres1619.pdf

Molecular Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia odocoilei, Babesia species and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Songbirds

John D Scott1 *, Elena McGoey2, Ana Morales3 and Risa R Pesapane2,4 1 Upper Grand Tick Centre, 365 St. David Street South, Fergus, Ontario, N1M 2L7, Canada 2 School of Environmental and Natural Resources, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA 3 McGill Bird Observatory, Ste Anne de Bellevue, QC, Canada H9X 0A6 4 Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Rd., Columbus, OH 43210, USA

Abstract

The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is known to carry various tick-borne zoonotic pathogens with the potential to cause debilitating human and animal diseases. Juvenile I. scapularis parasitize songbirds and, perhaps, these avifauna are competent hosts of common microbial pathogens. We extracted brachial venous blood from 18 groundforaging passerine birds that were parasitized by I. scapularis larvae and nymphs. Using molecular identification, namely PCR, DNA sequencing, and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST), we targeted Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Overall,

  • 15 (83%) of 18 passerine birds were positive for 3 microbial zoonotic pathogens that comprised of A. phagocytophilum (n = 8), Babesia odocoilei (n = 6), Babesia spp. 20-5A74 (n = 1), and B. burgdorferi sensu lato (n = 9).
  • The pathogen load consisted of 8 singles, 5 doubles, and 2 triples.
  • One novel Babesia sp. (Babesia spp. 20-5A74) was found, and the remaining Babesia infections were B. odocoilei.

Our findings reveal that ground-foraging, passerine birds are avian hosts of zoonotic pathogens. We provide the first-ever documentation that songbirds are hosts of B. odocoilei. Based on our data, B. odocoilei outnumbered other Babesia spp., and elucidated the authentic fact that B. odocoilei is the predominant Babesia sp. in North America. As avian hosts, passerine birds play a significant role in the enzootic transmission cycle of B. burgdorferi sensu lato, A. phagocytophilum, and Babesia species.

Important excerpts:

In the USA, tick researchers have reported B. odocoilei in Indiana [41-43], Michigan [44] Maine [42,43], Massachusetts [41-43], New York [45], Oklahoma [46,47], Pennsylvania [48,49] Texas [50,51], Virginia [52], and Wisconsin [42,43]. As well, B. odocoilei has been detected in I. pacificus in California [53]. In Canada, B. odocoilei has been detected in Saskatchewan [54], Ontario [7,15,55-59], and Quebec [55,57,58]. And yet, acarologists and ecologists have not reported B. microti in these three provinces [7,15,21,55-59]. Babesia odocoilei, which is a sequestering Babesia sp., can be recalcitrant to treat in human patients [7].

Not only do groundfrequenting songbirds transport ticks, they may also be hosts for tick-borne, zoonotic pathogens. Migratory songbirds widely disperse zoonotic pathogens across North America and, therefore, one does not have to frequent or live in an endemic area to contract human babesiosis caused by B. odocoilei.

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Category:

Anaplasmosis, Babesia, Lyme, research, Testing, Ticks

Master Herbalist and Friend Stephen Buhner Has Died & 2016 Interview

https://www.lymedisease.org/herbalist-and-healing-lyme-author-stephen-buhner-has-died/

Herbalist and “Healing Lyme” author Stephen Buhner has died

Stephen Harrod Buhner, a skilled herbalist and the author of many books about natural healing, has died, reportedly of pulmonary fibrosis.

In the Lyme disease community, he is probably best known for his book Healing Lyme: Natural Prevention and Treatment of Lyme Borreliosis and Its Co-infections.

A post on his Facebook page announced his passing like this:

There is a saying some places on the continent of Africa that says something like: When an old man dies, a library burns. It was a favorite among many of Stephen’s. An elder has died. Stephen died yesterday morning, December 8th around 9:30 am mountain time. He was in ceremony with friends and family. He was aware, conscious, present, open hearted and humorous. He was himself all the way through. And so very brave. Our hearts are heavy as they have ever been. We miss him terribly. He will be buried this morning in his beloved forest.

Five days earlier, the author made the following post on his Facebook page:

Regrettably, my body has taken a severe turn for the worst; it doesn’t look like it will be able correct. I spend most of the day sleeping; I am having seizures and mini-strokes now. Julie brings me back from them but it is getting harder and harder for her to do so. It’s only a few more days now. Sorry for this last long journey into night. I had hoped to find a different outcome.

Pulmonary fibrosis is not a kind disease and in many ways cancer is far more benevolent oddly enough. I have spent most of my time on the couch in front of the computer or about 20 feet away lying in bed, that is about all I can do and I have to have help to make it that far. I can no longer move on my own. Your very kind donations have allowed us to clear all our credit cards and buy a few expensive care items that we had hoped to have and which have helped immensely. You have helped us so much at the end; this has made more of a difference than you know and I can’t thank you deeply enough.

I am lucky enough to be buried deep in the Gila Forest in a place few people are aware of. luckily, New Mexico is still supportive of home and green burial. So it is just me and my beloved forest, right adjacent to the Aldo Leopold wilderness area which makes a lot of sense to me given my life work. The truth is that as I have grown older and more tired, I feel my connection to the land more deeply. I have been lucky enough to be buried in a handmade woolen shroud. One made with care and love, the deer buttons are quite lovely.

I did manage to finish my last book, Becoming Vegetalista. It will be out in a number of weeks. Only 500 or so; I did not get to see it in print. I left quite a number of signed stickers to be placed in some of the books though I don’t expect them to last long. I wish you all the best, safe travel in your lives.

Green blessings,

Stephen Harrod Buhner

According to its listing on Amazon, Becoming Vegetalista: Veriditas and the Journey to the Self, is the latest in a series that began with Sacred Plant Medicine, continued with the award-winning Lost Language of Plants, followed by The Secret Teachings of Plants, and most recently with Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm.

________________

**Comment**

It is with a sad heart I post this.  Buhner was a friend to the suffering and to those who couldn’t afford doctors, or chose not to see them.  To this day when helping a fellow patient who can’t afford traditional medicine and doctors, utilizing Buhner’s books which explain how to use whole, bulk herbs is still the cheapest treatment available.  It takes diligence and tenacity but has helped many recover their health.

A patient recently sent me this 2016 interview with Buhner.  Per usual, it’s excellent information:  https://thetrek.co/lyme-disease-misconceptions-interview-stephen-harrod-buhner/

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Category:

Activism, Herbs, Lyme, Treatment

What It’s Like To Live With Brain Fog

https://www.lymedisease.org/what-its-like-with-brain-fog/

What it’s like to live with brain fog

By Lindsey Bever, Washington Post

Haze. Slow. Drunk. Lost. These are the words some people use to describe “brain fog.”

The condition, a form of cognitive dysfunction, has been plaguing people with certain chronic illnesses for years. But now, a new wave of people with long covid are experiencing it, casting a spotlight on the often debilitating condition.

“It’s a moment where the public and the medical community are realizing that this is real. This is what happens after certain infections,” said Akiko Iwasaki, a professor of immunobiology at Yale University and a co-author of a review article on covid-19-related cognitive impairment.

READ MORE

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**Comment**

Long before COVID even existed, Lyme/MSIDS patients have suffered for decades with brain fog.

Per usual, dealing with the underlying infections will either improve or ameliorate this condition all together.  Detoxing also helps as well as balancing hormones, supplementing for deficiencies, dealing with mold, MCAS, and/or any other issue that is negatively affecting the immune system.  Diet is key and certain foods alone can cause brain fog.

Like everything with Lyme/MSIDS, it’s complex.

Category:

Lyme, Psychological Aspects, Viruses

Dr. Gatti is Back: New Paper Shows Metals and Parasites in Plasma From a Treated Lyme/MSIDS Patient & That DFPP With Chelating Agents Might Detox These Microparticles

https://popularrationalism.substack.com/p/pollutants-in-human-plasma-found

Pollutants in Human Plasma Found via Double-Filtration Plasmapheresis Plasma Exchange

Studies in toxicology usually study urine, feces, and other secretions and measure indirectly. Dr. Gatti, whose lab was raided for reporting detection of nanoparticles in vaccines, has a new study.
James Lyons-Weiler

Does everyone remember Drs. Gatti and Montanari?  We flew them in from Italy in 2017 to the IPAK Vaccine Safety Conference in Pittsburgh, PA? Probably not.

To help you remember:  https://www.ageofautism.com/2018/02/the-european-medicines-agency-attacked-gatti-and-montanari-last-year-in-british-medical-journal.html

and

Earlier this year, Dr. Gatti let me know they are back up and running.

The new study is of pollutants and toxins found in the extract of eluate from double-filtration plasmapheresis plasma exchange.

The new study, by Dr. Gatti and Dr. Felix Scholkmann, is entitled:

Particles in the Eluate from Double Filtration Plasmapheresis—A Case Study Using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (FE-SEM/EDX)

By using plasmapheresis, they found

“aflatoxin B1, chromium, lead, cadmium, arsenic, lindane, cobalt, polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons, disulfoton and aluminium (listed in descending concentration).”

The aluminum was found in various forms and types, bound with and free from silicon.

They also found unknown thread-like objects.

Makes me wonder if we should all detox this way once a year?

Dr. Gatti, congratulations on your new study and on surviving the attack on your lab by Italian authorities.

It should be possible to estimate the blood and body levels of compounds to which we are exposed, say, before and after vaccination.

Citation:

Scholkmann, Felix, and Antonietta M. Gatti. 2022. “Particles in the Eluate from Double Filtration Plasmapheresis—A Case Study Using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (FE-SEM/EDX)” Compounds 2, no. 4: 367-377. https://doi.org/10.3390/compounds2040030

_______________

**Comment**

Plasmapheresis or plasma exchange, around since the 50’s, has been used to treat autoimmune conditions, blood disorders, viral infections, chronic inflammation, pulmonary fibrosis, MS, Graves’ disease, Myasthenia gravis, transverse myelitis, HIV-related neuropathy, cancer, and even Lyme/MSIDS. Plasma is extracted from your blood, treated, and then put back into the body.

The limitation of this study is it was on a singular patient who had been treated for the following chronic infections: 

  • Borrelia afzelii
  • Borrelia burgdorferi (CH)
  • Borrelia burgdorferi (USA)
  • Borrelia garinii
  • Chlamydia pneumoniae
  • Babesia divergens
  • Bartonella henselae
  • Rickettsia Helvetica
  • Rickettsia conorii
  • Rickettsia helvetica

The thread-like object in Figure 4d, however, has a similar morphology and size as a thread-like parasitic nematode (roundworm) of the superfamiliy Filarioridea. Ticks can be also infected with these filarial nematodes [59,60].

Excerpt:

The pollution of nano- and microparticles is an emerging health concern [32,61] and novel ways of quantifying the individual exposure as well as methods to remove these particles from the body are of imminent interest for preventing and treating human diseases. DFPP, possibly in combination with the application of chelating agents, might be a powerful way to remove these nano- and microparticles from the body. The analysis of the eluate with FE-SEM/EDX seems be a useful approach to proof this possibility.
In summary, our analysis of the eluate obtained from a DFPP application revealed particles and objects in the nm and µm range of different shape and chemical composition. Our study is the first to date to investigate the composition of an eluate obtained by DFPP with FE-SEM/EDX.
IMO, while plasmapheresis might certainly help Lyme/MSIDS, the organism(s) often don’t remain in the blood for long but migrate to immunopriviledged sites like the brain, synovial fluid, spine, and organs.  This is the problem with all treatments, and testing which rely on delivery via blood, and perfectly illustrates why the current CDC monotherapy is an absolute joke.  Further, it doesn’t take into account the relapsing nature of these pathogens which change forms in the body.  Savvy treatment purposely cycles antimicrobials which helps address these complex issues, which mainstream medicine/research is completely oblivious about.
This clearly illustrates why we should not give another dime to corrupt public health/research because insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results.
For more:

Category:

Lyme, research, Treatment

Infected During Basic Training, Vet Urges “Real” Funding for Lyme Disease

https://www.lymedisease.org/lyme-infected-during-basic-training/

Infected during basic training, vet urges “real” funding for Lyme disease

Paul Owen gave the following public comments to the federal Tick-Borne Disease Working Group on November 21, 2022.

Thank you for having me today and thank you for hearing my story. I am a father, husband, friend, voter in Ohio, software executive, former NCAA sprinter turned ultra-marathon runner and a US Army Veteran.

I am now also, not by choice, but by circumstance, a Lyme warrior and advocate for the Lyme and tick-borne illness community.

My own Lyme journey, unbeknownst to me, started in 1989, during Army Basic Combat Training at Ft Dix, New Jersey. I was bitten by three ticks. In my subsequent 7 years of service, tick bites were a common occurrence, including at Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri.

As a young soldier, I thought nothing of the small pests and was not trained to treat them as a threat. This just was not the priority or the science of the day. I never got sick from the bites. I never saw an unusual rash. I drove on like every other soldier. In short, those bites were non-eventful.

It was not until after a shoulder surgery in 2015 that the effects of the tick bites became clear. On a Saturday morning, I ran and won a 5k. On Monday morning, I could not walk up my own stairs. There were the literally hundreds of tests. From spinal taps, to sleep tests, to blood tests, to liver tests, brain scans, endoscopy, you name it. The results were always ‘normal’ and conducted by either general practitioners or by specialist referral.

Seven-year headache

Over the next 7+ years, symptoms have only worsened, to include extreme headache for the entire time (yes, that is a 7+ year headache), tremors, extreme fatigue, memory loss, getting ‘lost’ on routine errands like picking up the kids from school, almost weekly localized seizures, loss of hearing and extreme, prolonged and consistent pain in joints and connective tissues. All of which are common in Lyme and other tick-borne disease patients. In short, these diseases torture everyday people for months, years and decades.

Also, over that period of time, I have tried every bespoke treatment from each of these specialists. I have spent tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket for treatments, co-pays on doctors and tests.

The costs of this epidemic on families, the economy and military readiness are incalculable. Tick-borne diseases affect millions in the United States (and around the world). Over 400,000 are added to that list every year.This is exacerbated by the denial of insurance or even the existence of the problem. This not only causes great financial hardship for American families, but also a drain on the economy In addition, military personnel are some of the more vulnerable to tick-borne disease by the nature of their environments.

What needs to be done

First, we need to mandate the recognition of and clinical diagnosis of Lyme disease. The testing is widely known not to be accurate. These symptoms are real and in no other environment would we say that the symptoms do not justify the diagnosis. Failure to come up with a test does not justify the denial of a diagnosis or treatment. It’s nonsensical.

Second, insurance needs to be mandated to cover the costs of this disease like any other. That will have the effect of driving costs down, expanding the research and improving the overall health and well being of both civilian and military populations.

Lastly, we need REAL funding to create reliable testing and treatments. I’m not talking about millions, or tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions. This is an epidemic as serious as COVID, breast cancer, and AIDS–and should be funded as such with billions in research on testing and cures.

Finally, I want to thank the working group for your tireless efforts to champion this cause and to inform Congress on solutions and prioritizing this epidemic. Thank you for your time.

_______________

**Comment**

Similarly to the beliefs of this patient, the answer does not lie in giving more funding to agencies that have done nothing but further the misery of Lyme/MSIDS patients for over 40 years.

And, contrary to this excellent, “must see” video, the answer also does not lie in “medical consensus,” as this information was published nearly 4 years ago with ZERO change in this highly sought after “consensus.”  The pervasive propaganda about Lyme/MSIDS is so complete that about the only hope for truth is that the deniers contract it, so they personally fully grasp the deception; however, even that doesn’t assure understanding as thousands are coming down with COVID, experiencing adverse reactions, and even dying after getting the COVID gene therapy injections and people are still rolling up their sleeves for more!  The disconnect is surreal, but there you have it:

A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.

Category:

Activism, Lyme