Lyme neuroborreliosis is a common feature of Borrelia burgdorferi infection (as a neurological manifestation occurring in 10%–15% of all Lyme disease cases) and may involve any part of the nervous system, and its coverings, but usually manifests as lymphocytic meningitis, cranial neuritis, and/or radiculoneuritis. This review describes the imaging findings in Lyme neuroborreliosis: the focal point is on the manifestations of involvement visible on brain and spine imaging.
This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?].
Abstract
The immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is critical in both controlling primary infection and preventing re-infection. However, there is concern that immune responses following natural infection may not be sustained and that this may predispose to recurrent infection. We analysed the magnitude and phenotype of the SARS-CoV-2 cellular immune response in 100 donors at six months following primary infection and related this to the profile of antibody level against spike, nucleoprotein and RBD over the previous six months. T-cell immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 were present by ELISPOT or ICS analysis in all donors and are characterised by predominant CD4+ T cell responses with strong IL-2 cytokine expression. Median T-cell responses were 50% higher in donors who had experienced an initial symptomatic infection indicating that the severity of primary infection establishes a set-point for cellular immunity that lasts for at least 6 months. The T-cell responses to both spike and nucleoprotein/membrane proteins were strongly correlated with the peak antibody level against each protein. The rate of decline in antibody level varied between individuals and higher levels of nucleoprotein-specific T cells were associated with preservation of NP-specific antibody level although no such correlation was observed in relation to spike-specific responses. In conclusion, our data are reassuring that functional SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses are retained at six months following infection although the magnitude of this response is related to the clinical features of primary infection.
Firstly, it was wrong to claim that this virus was novel.
Secondly, It was even more wrong to claim that the population would not already have some immunity against this virus.
Thirdly, it was the crowning of stupidity to claim that someone could have Covid-19 without any symptoms at all or even to pass the disease along without showing any symptoms whatsoever.
SAGE made – and continues to make – two fatal errors in its assessment of the SAR-CoV-2 pandemic, rendering its predictions wildly inaccurate, with disastrous results. These errors led SAGE to conclude that the pandemic is still in its early stages, with the vast majority (93%) of the UK population remaining susceptible to infection and that, in the absence of more action, a very high number of deaths will occur.
Error 1: Assuming that 100% of the population was susceptible to the virus and that no pre-existing immunity existed.
Error 2: The belief that the percentage of the population that has been infected can be determined by surveying what fraction of the population has antibodies.
Both of these points run entirely counter to known science regarding viruses
Sunetra Gupta Takes on Deepti Gurdasanti Regarding Herd Immunity
Although mainstream media have been terming Deepti Gurdasani an “epidemiologist” and “peer” of Sunetra Gupta, (who is a Professor of Theoretical Epidemiology at the University of Oxford), her LinkedIn profile [1] and academic page [2] indicate this may be a weak claim. Her present role is “Senior Lecturer Machine Learning”. In any case, her publications to date [2] appear irrelevant to SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19. For more on viruses and herd immunity: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/10/31/covid-19-exposed/
In this episode Sarah talks with Canadian researcher Dr.Leona Gilbert, originally from Thunder Bay, and currently living in Finland. Dr. Gilbert tells us about an interaction with a patient that led her to focus on testing for Lyme disease. She points to research showing that patients who suffer from long term effects of Lyme disease often test positive for multiple microbes.
Tickplex is a diagnostic kit that tests for six different forms of borrelia, ten other forms of microbes as well as antibodies which correlate to three different disease stages – all in one test! Dr. Gilbert explains the benefit to this method (also known as polymicrobial theory) over testing for one microbe with one antibody at a time. She points out that many long time sufferers of Lyme disease and co-infections are unable to build an adequate immune response to these microbes, but with treatment their immune system starts to respond and is then able to create antibodies. Research is also showing that outcomes are much better for those patients who are diagnosed early, tested for multiple microbes and then treated. She also talks about how multiplex testing is identifying patients who are “shining up” due to a hyperactive immune system.
“We need to let the science drive us and let the needs of the patient also influence where we’re going with the science as well.”
Dr. Leona Gilbert
Dr. Gilbert explains that polymicrobial theory, although accepted in other disease models, will take time to be accepted in relation to Lyme disease and points out the importance of creating individual treatment protocols based on multiple microbe testing as well. She strongly believes that both the science and the needs of the patient should drive researchers and points out that her group collaborates with patient groups, advocacy groups, scientific groups, as well as national and international organizations.
Dr. Gilbert explains for us the difference between co-infections and opportunistic infections and touches on the role of decreased immune function and opportunistic infections in Lyme patients.
Did you know that Lyme bacteria can persist even after treatment? Dr. Gilbert outlines research done not only in the lab, but also in animals and in humans that proves that persister forms of Borrelia exist despite antibiotic treatments. She discusses some of the theories behind how borrelia is able to evade treatment, including within biofilms, by transforming into round body forms and by moving into certain places in the body. Dr. Gilbert talks about other research that’s happening to better understand these persister forms. She explains how we can access the Tickplex test from overseas.
“People that have been sick for a very long time, even five to ten years, that they actually can’t even build up an immune response to actually resolve these microbes.”
For the first time, Garg et al. show a 85% probability for multiple infections including not only tick-borne pathogens but also opportunistic microbes such as EBV and other viruses.
Additionally, 83% of all TBD diagnostic tests performed by the commercial laboratories in the USA accounted for only LD. Globally, the commercial laboratories’ ability to diagnose LD has increased by merely 4%(weighted mean for ELISA sensitivity 62.3%)in the last 20 years. This study provides evidence regarding polymicrobial infections in patients suffering from different stages of TBDs. Literature analyses and results from this study followed Hill’s criteria indicating a causal association between TBD patients and polymicrobial infections. Also, the study outcomes indicate that patients may not adhere to traditional IgM and IgG responses.
This is groundbreaking information that doesn’t get any recognition.
OPINION: NEUROLOGIC PROBLEMS IN LYME DISEASE ALSO SEEN IN COVID-19
Doctors have been describing neurologic problems in Lyme disease patients for decades. Thirty years ago, Lyme encephalopathy and Lyme neuropathy were discussed in the New England Journal of Medicine. Since then other neurologic problems in Lyme disease have been described including Neuropsychiatric Lyme disease and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Now, patients with COVID-19 are reportedly experiencing neurologic problems.
More than 8 out of 10 COVID-19 patients suffered from neurologic complications.
Nearly 1 out of 3 COVID-19 patients suffered from headaches, encephalopathy, and dizziness, which are also common neurologic symptoms in Lyme disease.
Other symptoms included myalgia and fatigue, which occurred in 43% of patients at the onset of illness and in 79% of patients during COVID-19 disease.
COVID-19 patients with encephalopathy were less likely to have a good outcome.
COVID-19 patients with encephalopathy were hospitalized 3 times longer than COVID-19 patients who did not have encephalopathy.
Author’s Note: Encephalopathy typically refers to altered sensorium and central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction. There is no standardized test for encephalopathy. It appears the authors diagnosed their cases of encephalopathy using clinical judgment.
Encephalopathy has been associated with a poor outcome in other diseases. Some patients with Lyme encephalopathy have had a poor outcome. I have found that patients with this condition can be more challenging to treat.
The authors encourage further research and studies of encephalopathy in patients including those with “Covid-19 who complain of protracted inability to concentrate or decreased short-term memory (referred to as ‘brain fog’).”
There are several potential causes of encephalopathy in this group of COVID-19 patients, which include: systemic disease and inflammation, coagulopathy, direct neuroinvasion by the virus, endotheliitis, post-infectious autoimmune mechanisms, intensive care unit delirium, sedation and analgesia doses, disruption of sleep/wake cycles, and infectious complications.
But due to limitations from the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors were unable to determine the exact cause of their patients’ encephalopathy.
Although I am unable to determine the cause of encephalopathy in Lyme disease patients, I encourage doctors to recognize the condition, so that prompt treatment may occur, improving the chances for a complete recovery.
Screening for encephalopathy
The authors advocate for broader recognition and targeted treatment of encephalopathy. “Broad recognition and screening for encephalopathy as a contributor to disease severity in Covid-19 may have utility in resource allocation and potential to improve patient outcomes,” writes Liotta.
“Prospective cognitive and neurologic-focused evaluations through specialized clinics dedicated to further diagnostic assessment and tailored rehabilitation needs could play a significant role in recovery from this pandemic,” the authors write.
Liotta EM, Batra A, Clark JR, et al. Frequent neurologic manifestations and encephalopathy-associated morbidity in Covid-19 patients. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2020.
Johnson L, Shapiro M, Stricker RB, Vendrow J, Haddock J, Needell D. Antibiotic Treatment Response in Chronic Lyme Disease: Why Do Some Patients Improve While Others Do Not? Healthcare (Basel). 2020;8(4).
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**Comment**
The concern is people being misdiagnosed with COVID-19 when they have Lyme/MSIDS.
I was just contacted by a patient right here in Wisconsin who tested POSITIVE for Lyme THREE times but was told by the infectious disease doctor it was a “false negative.”
Wow.
Nothing has changed in Lyme-land. Infectious disease doctors are typically the worst in my experience regarding tick-borne illness. They still follow ancient unscientific advice from the CDC that Lyme/MSIDS is hard to catch and easy to treat. Get to a Lyme literate doctor asap!
Success of Prescription & Alternative Medicine Lyme Treatments
By Dr. Mary Ross
In my Lyme Q&A webinars and my clinical practice at Marty Ross MD Healing Arts, I answer questions about which treatments work best to recover from chronic Lyme.
Which prescription or herbal antibiotics really work for chronic Lyme disease and how long do they take? What about alternative medicine Lyme disease treatments like:
Rife machines,
stem cell therapy,
ozone,
hyperbaric oxygen,
hyperthermia,
supportive oligonucleotide therapy (SOT),
low dose immunotherapy (LDI), or
IV hydrogen peroxide?
(Go to link for article)
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**Comment**
Dr. Ross states that in the past he would have had to rely solely upon his clinical experience to address the issue of what works in treating Lyme/MSIDS as the NIH stopped funding clinical research on Lyme disease treatments over 15 years ago and only had studies looking at short term antibiotic use of three months or less.
In this article; however, he utilizes not only his clinical experience but that of MyLymeData, a registry of over 12,000 patients who submit information about their experience with treatment. Learn more or sign up to participate in MyLymeData at lymedisease.org.
In brief:
76% of those that got well used prescription antibiotics but that this took a year or more to accomplish.
patients did best when working with an ILADS trained doctor
patients found numerous other alternative therapies helpful (see Ross’ article for the breakdown)
Dr. Ross states that the results match his clinical experience
Ross also found that hyperthermia benefits lasted only 2-3 months
Ross’ review of the science leads him to believe that ozone, hydrogen peroxide and other oxygen therapies do not kill germs due to anti-oxidants in the blood working as killing neutralizers, but that patients often feel better due to helping the mitochondria.
Ross feels stem cell therapy is an expensive disappointment.
He finds those using Rife get benefit 35% of the time.
He feels CBD from cannabis is not a good germ killer in humans but that it can treat symptoms.
He is skeptical of both SOT and LDI.
He also lists many other issues Lyme/MSIDS patients experience (please see article)
All in all, a great informative article. I’m so thankful whenever doctors write about their clinical experience as there is so little out there on what works. The fact that patients and Dr. Ross are stating the same things is also quite helpful and fruitful.
We may not have NIH funded studies but we have experience on our side.
