Even after appropriate treatment, a proportion of Lyme disease patients suffer from a constellation of symptoms, collectively called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). Brain PET scan of patients with PTLDS have demonstrated likely glial activation indicating persistent neuroinflammatory processes.
It is possible that unresolved bacterial remnants can continue to cause neuroinflammation.
In previous studies, we have shown that non-viable Borrelia burgdorferi can induce neuroinflammation and apoptosis in an oligodendrocyte cell line.
In this follow-up study, we analyze the effect of sonicated remnants of B. burgdorferi on primary rhesus frontal cortex (FC) and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants. Five FC and three DRG tissue fragments from rhesus macaques were exposed to sonicated B. burgdorferi and analyzed for 26 inflammatory mediators. Live bacteria and medium alone served as positive and negative control, respectively. Tissues were also analyzed for cell types mediating inflammation and overall apoptotic changes.
Non-viable B. burgdorferi induced significant levels of several inflammatory mediators in both FC and DRG, similar to live bacteria. However, the levels induced by non-viable B. burgdorferi was often (several fold) higher than those induced by live ones, especially for IL-6, CXCL8 and CCL2. This effect was also more profound in the FC than in the DRG. Although the levels often differed, both live and dead fragments induced the same mediators, with significant overlap between FC and DRG. In the FC, immunohistochemical staining for several inflammatory mediators showed the presence of multiple mediators in astrocytes, followed by microglia and oligodendrocytes, in response to bacterial remnants. Staining was also seen in endothelial cells. In the DRG, chemokine/cytokine staining was predominantly seen in S100 positive (glial) cells. B. burgdorferi remnants also induced significant levels of apoptosis in both the FC and DRG. Apoptosis was confined to S100 + cells in the DRG while distinct neuronal apoptosis was also detected in most FC tissues in response to sonicated bacteria.
Non-viable B. burgdorferi can continue to be neuropathogenic to both CNS and PNS tissues with effects likely more profound in the former. Persistence of remnant-induced neuroinflammatory processes can lead to long term health consequences.
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**Comment**
An important work for sure which shows even non-viable pathogen remnants cause health problems in patients. The fact remains; however, that unresolved infections CAN ALSO cause major health problems in patients, yet is not politically correct and therefore researched by those espousing with the current accepted narrative.
Bannwarth syndrome in early disseminated Lyme disease
Welcome to another Inside Lyme Podcast with your host Dr. Daniel Cameron. In this episode, Dr. Cameron will be discussing the case of a 66-year-old man with Bannwarth syndrome with urinary retention in early Lyme disease.
The man presented to the emergency room with generalized myalgia, fatigue, and severe neck pain. The symptoms had been occurring for two weeks and began shortly after he was bitten by two ticks while performing yard work.
The patient reported having dull mid-back pain, intermittent headaches, and neck stiffness. His doctor initially suspected he had pneumonia and prescribed an antibiotic. But his symptoms worsened.
“His pain then radiated down his entire spine into his upper and lower extremities, leading to right arm weakness and new urine retention onset,” the authors wrote.
“His paraspinal tenderness and diminished deep tendon reflexes bilaterally.” His pain score was 8 out of 10. The ESR rate was 100 and C-reactive protein of 8.8 mg/L.
“Physicians need to be aware of the rare neurological manifestations of [Lyme neuroborreliosis] … Prompt diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics can reduce unnecessary imaging, patient anxiety, and, most importantly, avert debilitating complications.”
Test results indicated a white blood cell count of 12 k/uL, C-reactive protein of 8.8 mg/L, sedimentation rate of 100 mm/h, and creatinine kinase of 27 units/L.
Western blot and ELISA Lyme disease tests were positive and confirmed an early stage infection with Borrelia burgdorferi.In addition, a spinal tap showed lymphocytic pleocytosis and a positive Lyme disease titer.
The man was diagnosed with Bannwarth syndrome (BWS) based on his severe radiculopathy, upper extremity weakness, and urinary dysfunction. “All of these findings are pathognomonic for [Bannwarth syndrome],” wrote the authors.
Typically, Bannwarth syndrome affects a person’s limbs. In this case, Lyme disease induced sacral radiculitis leading to neurogenic urinary dysfunction.
The authors were not sure why the patient’s urinary tract was affected. They suggested, “the influence of the radiculitis on innervating fibers” and “direct invasion of the spirochetes into the bladder wall” might have played a role.
“Early recognition of this rare presentation associated with Lyme disease and treatment with antibiotics can prevent disease progression and detrimental neurological sequelae.”
The man was treated with a 21-day course of IV ceftriaxone and “his symptoms improved with complete resolution of his urinary retention,” the authors wrote.
About Bannwarth syndrome
Bannwarth syndrome has been reported most often in Europe. And despite disputes over its incidence in the United States, “the condition does occur but is often misdiagnosed.”
BWS is characterized by a wide range of symptoms including:
radicular pain (100%)
sleep disturbances (75.3%)
headache (46.8%)
fatigue (44.2%)
malaise (39%)
paresthesia (32.5%)
peripheral nerve palsy (36.4%)
meningeal signs (19.5%)
paresis (7.8%)
The syndrome can cause severe pain. “BWS typically manifests itself with severe zoster-like segmental pain that is worse at night,” the authors wrote. “The pain has a burning, stabbing, biting, or tearing character and usually responds poorly to all common analgesics.”
Author’s Conclusion:
“The constellation of neurological symptoms, particularly when associated with a recent or suspected tick bite in an endemic region, should prompt thorough evaluation for [Lyme neuroborreliosis] and assessment for BWS,” the authors wrote.
The following questions are addressed in this Podcast episode:
What is Bannwarth syndrome?
How is BWS diagnosed and treated?
What is radicular pain?
What is the significance of the spinal tap findings?
What is the significance of an elevated sedimentation rate and c-reactive protein?
Why is BWS rarely diagnosed in the USA?
What can we learn from this case?
Thanks for listening to another Inside Lyme Podcast. Please remember that the advice given is general and not intended as specific advice to any particular patient. If you require specific advice, please seek that advice from an experienced professional.
Inside Lyme Podcast Series
This Inside Lyme case series will be discussed on my Facebook page and made available on podcast and YouTube. As always, it is your likes, comments, and shares that help spread the word about this series and our work. If you can, please leave a review on iTunes or wherever else you get your podcasts.
References:
Omotosho YB, Sherchan R, Ying GW, Shayuk M. A Unique Case of Bannwarth Syndrome in Early Disseminated Lyme Disease. Cureus. Apr 25 2021;13(4):e14680. doi:10.7759/cureus.14680
DENVER (KDVR) — Natural immunity was six times stronger during the delta wave than vaccination, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The report, published Jan. 19, analyzed COVID outcome data from New York and California, which make up about one in six of the nation’s total COVID deaths. (See link for article)
What the article doesn’t mention are the overwhelming amount of adverse reactions and deaths recorded in VAERS after the COVID shots.
“We found that NAb against the WT virus persisted in 89% and S-IgG in 97% of subjects for at least 13 months after infection.”
As measured by neutralizing antibody assays, immunity to SARS-CoV-2 from vaccination wanes after 3-4 months.
This study in the European Journal of Immunology has some good news: Survivors of severe COVID-19 from had very high immunity against Delta 13 months after their initial infection with earlier variants.
The study was conducted on 2586 subjects ≥18 years of age whose native language was Finnish or Swedish who lived within five selected hospital districts in Finland and with a “PCR-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis”.
The authors examined neutralizing antibody levels (Nab) against Wild-Type (Wuhan), Alpha, Beta and Delta proteins, studying both the Spike glycoprotein (S-protein)) and the viral nucleoprotein (N-protein)) at 8 and 13 months following infection.
The Spike protein Nab measured as antibodies against two epitopes) was higher at 13 months than against the nucleoprotein (N-protein), as would be expected given the easier access of the spike protein to our immune system. That said, N-protein NAb production was still very high.
The greatest result, which is very, very welcome, came when the authors examined the Nab in subgroups. They looked at NAbs in people who had mild infections and those who had severe COVID-19.
Those who had severe COVID-19 have the highest Nabs against both proteins. And that’s excellent news for people who had to suffer severe COVID-19. (See link for full article)
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**Comment**
Despite the well known scientific fact that natural immunity is always far-superior to vaccines, which Fauci even admitted pre-2019, our corrupt government and any organization that follows in lock-step has misrepresented and denied this plain, simple fact. People have lost their jobs. Soldiers have been kicked out of the military. Children have lost out on educations due to this injustice.
But Fauci states his pre-2019 comment about natural immunity was taken out of context, and then erroneously stated:
“The issue of vaccines actually, at least with regard to SARS-CoV-2, can do better than nature,” Fauci said at the time.
The collateral damage due to ignoring natural immunity can not be overstated.
All of a sudden mainstream is talking about natural immunity and an opinion piece in the WSJ, Dr. Makary states that Omicon provides “superimmunity” which will be stronger against new variants & future coronaviruses, making “normal” life possible even as the virus continues to spread and mutate – just like the flu bug does every single year. Ironically,experts have been saying this the whole time but it’s finally making mainstream news. They remain mum on the fact these injections, which aren’t vaccines, actually reprogram innate immune responses, as well as on results of autopsies on the “vaccinated“, which show horrific findings, revealing they will only go so far with transparency, and pointing to a predetermined, agreed upon outcome.
Facts and data are getting harder and harder to deny.
Hear what CDC Director, Rochelle Walensky had to say.
Del BigTree was “fact-checked” by Snopes stating he took this out of context and that the deaths were among the fully “vaccinated” patients, and that somehow this supports the idea that the “vaccines” are effective.
BigTree than went back and showed the Aug. 2020 report, before the mass “vaccination” campaign, that showed that 94% of COVID deaths had over two comorbidities.
The clear point is the majority of COVID deaths are among the already ill, whether you are “vaccinated” or not. This is important to understand for public policy. As BigTree points out, we should not be masking healthy people, stopping children’s education, firing people, stopping the world, blaming the unvaccinated, and mandating a shot that is non-sterilizing, ineffective, and dangerous.
I have heard many people say that at this moment—January 2022—testing will save us. They cite success stories like the National Basketball Association’s bubble (of 2020) to show what testing can accomplish. Unfortunately, here are nine considerations that they are missing when it comes to mass testing.
1. No one has any tests.
2. Many tests have limited sensitivity.
3. Low pre-test probability.
4. The distribution of testing.
5. Testing is only helpful if you have the resources to make salutatory choices as a result of the information.
6. Risk reduction vs delaying infection.
7. Harms of testing.
8. Contact tracing is impossible in most circumstances.
Two years into the global pandemic of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, there is scant guidance from government agencies, universities, or professional medical organizations to help individuals recover from the SARS-CoV-2 infection that causes COVID-19 without the need for hospitalization.
Although the recovery rate for SARS-COV-2 infections is between 97 and 99.5 percent,4 and most people recover without hospitalization, there are currently 125,922 people hospitalized with COVID in the U.S., and numbers are on an upward trend.5 Recent estimates of costs associated with inpatient treatment for COVID average from $31,339 to $472,213 per person, depending upon the severity of the case.6
The article then highlights the following treatments:
Monoclonal antibodies
While a number of doctors have successfully treated COVID with monoclonal antibodies, there have been reported infusion-related reactions to activation of the immune system by the monoclonal antibodies, such as flushing, itching, shortness of breath and low blood pressure,14 and there is a possibility of immediate or delayed serious adverse events, including cytokine release syndrome, acute anaphylaxis, serum sickness, infections, cancer, autoimmune disease and cardiotoxicity.1516 There is uncertainty about whether the currently available monoclonal antibodies are effective in treating the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.17
Further, Dr. Ruby states the experimental monoclonal antibodies are like renting an army for a day, vs your own immune system which sticks around in case they are needed.
Controversy has surrounded the use of the drug ivermectin29 and other zinc ionophores. A meta-analysis published in August 202133 concluded that there was moderate-certainty evidence for large reductions in COVID deaths using ivermectin. A June 2020 systematic review published in the medical journal Antibiotics34 identified ivermectin as having “antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-cancer properties.” The authors stated that the drug “is highly effective against many microorganisms including some viruses.”
Metabolic Syndrome Ignored As Risk Factor In COVID-19 Response
Despite the contribution of obesity and metabolic disorders to the disease burden of COVID, weight loss and prevention of metabolic disorders are not currently part of any published COVID public health policy.
Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI) and Lyme disease
Welcome to another Inside Lyme Podcast with your host Dr. Daniel Cameron. In this episode, Dr. Cameron will be discussing the case of a 63-year-old woman who was diagnosed with Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness (STARI).
The patient was bitten by a lone-star tick on her right leg while camping in Gainesville, Florida. She noticed a pruritic target erythematous lesion after removing the tick.
Two weeks later she was evaluated and reported having a persistent fever, headache, and diffuse myalgias for 4 days following the tick bite. On presentation, she had a fever of 100.5 F and a tachycardia of 127 BPM, low white count, anemia, low platelet count and elevated liver function tests.
Fortunately, the patient’s symptoms resolved with a 14-day course of doxycycline.
The authors discuss the differences and similarities of STARI and Lyme disease:
“The associated rash is similar if not indistinguishable from Lyme disease erythema migrans, with lymphocytic dermal infiltrate.”
Both the diagnosis of STARI and Lyme disease are based on clinical evidence. “At the present time, there is no approved diagnostic modality to identify STARI; thus, the diagnosis must be made on clinical evidence including erythema migrans and tick exposure.”
The diagnosis of STARI and Lyme disease often rely on geography. “Diagnosis usually relies on geographic association (STARI from central Texas and Oklahoma eastward across the southern states and along the Atlantic coast as far north as Maine, versus Lyme disease in northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper mid-west).”
However, the authors did not address reports documenting the presence of lone-star ticks in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest and of deer ticks in the South.
It has been assumed that STARI does not have any long-term sequelae.
“A recent study has suggested that STARI is transmitted by the lone-star tick Amblyoma americanum; however, it may take some time before all the necessary data can be collected, since much is still unknown about STARI.”
The treatment of STARI is also uncertain. “STARI is often treated as Lyme disease with doxycycline twice daily for 14 days; however, there is no approved treatment yet.”
The authors conclude, “STARI is an emerging Lyme-like illness that causes the characteristic rash, erythema migrans. The current incidence of STARI remains unknown as it is not nationally reportable.”
The following questions are addressed in this Podcast episode:
What is STARI?
Are there differences between STARI and Lyme disease rashes?
Are there differences in the ticks?
How is STARI diagnosed, compared to Lyme disease?
What clinical evidence does one need to diagnose STARI?
What are the consequences if Lyme disease or co-infections is overlooked?
What do we know about ticks in the South?
Thanks for listening to another Inside Lyme Podcast. Please remember that the advice given is general and not intended as specific advice to any particular patient. If you require specific advice, please seek that advice from an experienced professional.
Inside Lyme Podcast Series
This Inside Lyme case series will be discussed on my Facebook page and made available on podcast and YouTube. As always, it is your likes, comments, and shares that help spread the word about this series and our work. If you can, please leave a review on iTunes or wherever else you get your podcasts.
References:
Abdelmaseih R, Ashraf B, Abdelmasih R, Dunn S, Nasser H. Southern Tick-Associated Rash Illness: Florida’s Lyme Disease Variant. Cureus. May 28 2021;13(5):e15306. doi:10.7759/cureus.15306
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**Comment**
When I speak with experts they state STARI IS LYME. Southerners have fought to be heard. Patients have been turned away undiagnosed and untreated and are told, “You can’t have Lyme because Lyme doesn’t exist here,” which of course is asinine. Until the birds quit flying, rodents quit crawling, lizards and humans quit moving, and transporting ticks everywhere they go, ticks will continue to travel.
High cost of treating Lyme arthritis in children with surgery
A study by Tout and colleagues investigated how operative management impacts the clinical course and health care costs of pediatric patients hospitalized with Lyme arthritis.
“We hypothesized that surgery does not improve clinical outcomes for children with Lyme arthritis but does increase resource utilization and cost,” the authors wrote.
All of the children met the CDC case definition, had Lyme arthritis, and wereculture negative. The average age of the children was 6.7 years with a range of 4.5 to 9.7 years.
Out of the 149 patients, 47 underwent orthopedic intervention.
The study found:
1 in 3 children underwent surgery
2 out of 3 underwent open surgery
The remaining children underwent arthroscopic surgery. One child underwent arthroscopic surgery followed by open surgery. And, just over 50% of the children underwent a synovectomy.
Two children were re-admitted for surgical complications — one for wound dehiscence and the other for “persistence of arthritis in the setting of inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy (first-generation cephalosporin).”
“This retrospective cohort study demonstrates that operative intervention for Lyme arthritis does not improve outcomes, though it does increase cost and health care utilization.”
“One child was admitted due to persistent symptoms despite appropriate antibiotic therapy (doxycycline) for therapeutic arthrocentesis,” Tout wrote.
Cost and Outcome for Operative Intervention
The length of stay for children undergoing surgery was longer (3.17 vs. 1.40 days) and the cost was higher ($27,850 vs. $10,716) than children who did not have surgery. However, the outcome was the same for both groups (98% for each).
The two children who did not experience symptom resolution were diagnosed with a rheumatologic condition (e.g., juvenile idiopathic arthritis).
The authors were not able to definitively comment on why each child was admitted and why a subset underwent surgery. One reason may have been the turnaround time for Lyme disease testing, as this was “typically 3 to 8 days, which is generally considered too long to wait if there was a concern for a septic joint.”
Authors’ Conclusion
“This retrospective cohort study demonstrates that operative intervention for Lyme arthritis does not improve outcomes, though it does increase cost and health care utilization.”
The authors emphasized the need for “rapid Lyme diagnostic testing in Lyme-endemic areas, the importance of increased provider awareness of the expanding distribution of Lyme disease when assessing acute undifferentiated arthritis, and the need for additional research in elucidating factors that can distinguish Lyme arthritis from septic arthritis.”
Editor’s perspective: The authors did not address the long-term cost of surgical intervention after open knee surgery and/or synovectomy. I always examine children diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis for evidence of a persistent tick-borne infection.
Tout AR, McClincy M, Anderson A, Nowalk A, Campfield BT. The Impact of Operative Intervention in Pediatric Lyme Arthritis. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Nov-Dec 01;41(10):e911-e916. doi: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000001959. PMID: 34483307.
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**Comment**
Of course the obvious issue this study doesn’t address is persistent/chronic infection which often improves or eradicates symptoms with appropriate antimicrobial treatment. Researchers/medical professionals continue to view this through a myopic, simplistic lens and until that changes patients will not obtain help from mainstream and will continue to have to hunt for experienced Lyme literate professionals.
I suspect Bartonella plays a major role in my knee/joint popping, which started when I became infected and has persisted to this day. I’ve struggled with a Baker’s cyst in my knee now for 6 months. I’ve tried many things over the years for inflammation/pain including DMSO & MSM, systemic enzymes, Class IV lasers, and biomats utilizing PEMF & red light therapy. The cyst has me pounding the pavement once more for possible treatments and relief. Here’s what I’ve discovered so far:
http://www.doctoryourself.com/index.html This wonderful website by Dr. Saul that is chuck full of conditions and remedies. When you click on the arthritis links on the far right hand side, you will discover that juicing(getting micronutrients already broken down), sprouting(more living micronutrients), and vitamins D, A, C, and niacinamide have miraculously helped those with severe arthritis. I’ve begun all of these modalities, some of which I was already doing, but now am spreading the niacinamide doses throughout the day which is making a big difference.
It has been found in the treatment of joint dysfunction that the manner in which the daily dosage of niacinamide is divided has an important bearing on the the therapeutic results achieved; e.g., 300 mg niacinamide given three times daily (900 mg/24 hours) is inferior in its therapeutic action to 150 mg niacinamide administered every 3 hours for 6 daily doses (900 mg/24 hours).
“Niacin: The Real Story: Learn About the Wonderful Healing Properties of Niacin,”
“Vegetable Juicing for Everyone: How to Get Your Family Healthier and Happier.” and
“Orthomolecular Treatment of Chronic Disease: 65 Experts on Therapeutic and Preventative Nutrition.
I’ve already had noticable results with the juicing, sprouting, and vitamin C/niacinamide supplements. Pain has diminished by over half and cyst is shrinking, allowing a greater range of movement.
