Archive for the ‘research’ Category

Can Lyme Disease Impact Pregnancy Outcome?

https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-disease-pregnancy-outcome/

CAN LYME DISEASE IMPACT PREGNANCY OUTCOME?

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Although studies indicate that most infections have a similar effect on pregnant vs. non-pregnant women, several (such as influenza, hepatitis E, herpes simplex virus infections, malaria) may be more severe in pregnant women. Now, researchers investigate whether Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, the pathogen causing Lyme disease, might impact pregnancy outcome, as well.

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The study by researchers in Slovenia looked at the potential effects of Lyme disease on pregnancy outcome. In their article, “Course and Outcome of Erythema Migrans in Pregnant Women,” Maraspin and colleagues describe pregnancy course and outcome for 304 women who were treated with antibiotics for early Lyme disease.

All of the women had been diagnosed with Lyme disease based upon the presence of an erythema migrans (EM or bull’s eye) rash. They were evaluated before antibiotic treatment was initiated, then 2 weeks later, followed by 2, 6, 12 and 18-month follow-ups.

At the first visit, the majority (98%) of patients were treated with IV ceftriaxone (2g once daily). The remaining patients received either IV penicillin G (10,000,000 units twice daily), or oral phenoxymethylpenicillin (1g 3 times daily). Patients received a 14-day course of antibiotics.

Pregnancy outcomes following Lyme disease treatment

The outcome of pregnancy was unfavorable in 13.8% (42/304) of patients, the authors report.
There were

  • 22 preterm births
  • 10 fetal/perinatal deaths
  • 15 anomalies

However, several mothers had potential explanations for their unfavorable pregnancy outcomes.

The poor outcome for Lyme disease patients was not significantly different when compared to the general population. Still, they warn,

“multivariable analyses showed that patients who develop EM in the early stages of pregnancy might have a higher risk of unfavorable outcome.”

The authors concluded, pregnancy outcome is favorable with 2 weeks of treatment with IV ceftriaxone.

The outcomes for the mothers was unfavorable for women based on the rates of preterm births, fetal/perinatal deaths and anomalies.

Meanwhile, another study of 2,000 women with a history of Lyme disease did not demonstrate an increased risk of fetal death, decreased birth weight, or length of gestation at delivery. [2] In the same study of 2,000 women, a history of a tick bite within 3 years of conception was associated with congenital defects.

Editor’s note:

The authors enrolled early Lyme disease. Maraspin et al. did not follow the 262 women who gave birth with a favorable outcome for any long-term problems. Nor did the authors describe the outcome for women who were not treated for early Lyme disease.

The findings were based on a case series. Hopefully, their conclusions will encourage further research as to whether Lyme disease were responsible for even one preterm birth, fetal/perinatal death, or anomalies in pregnant women.

Related Articles:

Lyme podcast: Two mothers transmit babesia to their babies

Congenital transmission of babesiosis: Two case reports

Perspective: Treating tick bites during pregnancy

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**Comment**

This incredibly important issue hasn’t been studied in any depth.

It is also another perfect example of how the CDC cherry-picks it’s causes. In the instance of COVID, ‘authorities’ continue to insist children are dangerous transmitters and are heavily affected when reality shows few children are severely ill with it – and the ones that are need to be studied further regarding confounding factors.  Regarding Lyme, the CDC admits fetuses are infected but continue to play it down by stating it’s rare, therefore of no concern. Lyme has been around for over 40 years with little to no good, unbiased research – particularly on the subject of sexual and congenital transmission.

There are a number of issues to consider.  Once again, the above study only includes:

  1. Acute cases
  2. those with EM rashes
  3. a mono-therapy for a short duration of time
  4. a short follow-up

These limitations continue to leave out a huge subset of patients who do not fit the criteria.  And once again, researchers erroneously are treating the EM rash which has been shown to wax and wane over time.  Disappearance of the rash does not equate with disease elimination.  

Dr. Jones, a well-known Lyme literate doctor who has treated 12,000 children from around the world gave a talk at ILADS about this topic.  I’ve summarized it here:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/11/11/gestational-lyme-other-tick-borne-diseases-dr-jones/

Excerpt:

  • A retrospective study showed 480 children with gestational Lyme/MSIDS. Diagnosis was based on clinical physical and history. (3)
  • About 10% of Dr. Jones’ patients are infected gestationally.
  • Two cases of in vitro fertilization caused embryonic infection.
  • Mothers not treated resulted in 50% gestational transmission compared to mothers treated with 1 antibiotic resulting in a 25% transmission.  70% of infected mothers reported a difficult pregnancy.  ALL children improved with appropriate antibiotic treatment.  

Even the CDC quietly updated their website to include congenital transmission, although they state it’s ‘rare,’ despite the fact nobody’s counting:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/02/01/cdc-website-updated-today-possibility-of-mother-to-fetus-transmission-of-lyme-disease/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/06/19/33-years-of-documentation-of-maternal-child-transmission-of-lyme-disease-and-congenital-lyme-borreliosis-a-review/

Lastly, this current research has hardly made a blip in the research world but discovered some very interesting findings.  Again, because Dr. Fauci and company are fans of “big science”, I’m sure they barely sniffed at these case studies:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/06/12/formidable-evidence-for-sexual-transmission-of-lyme-disease-first-study-to-document-aca-rashes-in-canadian-patients/

Excerpt:

The study states that about 63% of patients infected with Lyme develop chronic Lyme disease.  Authorities keep telling us it’s only 10-20%. It also states Lyme colonizes in many immune-privileged sides including bone, brain, eye, ligaments & tendons, heart, kidney, bladder, liver, muscle, synovial cells, central nervous system, claim and neuronal cells, and fibroblasts/scar tissue.  It states Lyme can be an insidious neurologic pathogenesis with demyelination, and even fatal.

The study points out that Bb is pleomorphic with diverse forms (spirochetes, round bodies, blebs, granules, and biofilms). The study also touches upon the hopelessness many patients can experience which can lead to despair and suicide. Lyme may be potentially transmitted via intimate relations as well as gestationally.

Further:

Although ACA rashes are normally found on the lower extremities, this study illustrates that ACA rashes are not directly correlated with a tick bite, geographic area, age, Bbsl genospecies, exercise, or any given surface area of the body.

  • Case 4 provides confirmation for an ACA rash and gestational Lyme disease (club feet at birth).  Both parents tested positive for Bbsl.
  • One patient (Case 5) puts forth a Bbsl and Bartonella sp. co-infection with a complex ACA rash.
THIS STUDY DOCUMENTS ACA RASHES ON LYME DISEASE PATIENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN CANADA as well as a proven gestational case with club feet at birth, and with both parents infected.
Where is the media on these findings?  This is huge and warrants further research, but it’s buried like all other research that doesn’t fit the CDC narrative.

 

 

 

Category:

Lyme, research

Bartonella Is An Entity Often Diagnosed in Breast Imaging Department During Axullary Lymph Node Assessment

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32821616/

. 2020 Jul 19;12(7):e9272.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.9272.

Cat Scratch Disease Is an Entity Often Diagnosed in Breast Imaging Department During Axillary Lymph Node Assessment

Michael V Lin 1, Nga T Nguyen 1, You-Wen Qian 2, Vincent T Phan 1, Quan D Nguyen 1

Abstract

Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an infectious disease process of generally immunocompetent children and young adults. This infection can be introduced through skin trauma by direct exposure to the saliva of an infected kitten or cat. CSD is typically associated with constitutional symptoms and self-limited regional lymphadenopathy. In the sole presence of swollen lymph nodes, however, the differential diagnosis for CSD is relatively broad, including an active infection, an ongoing inflammatory process, and a metastatic process. CSD can present as axillary lymphadenopathy without typical constitutional symptoms. With proper clinical and laboratory investigation, CSD can be accurately identified and correctly diagnosed, as demonstrated in this case series featuring five symptomatic young adults with axillary lymphadenopathy. Breast imaging clinic specializes in lymph node assessment because metastatic lymphadenopathy is one of the most common presenting signs of breast cancer. Most isolated axillary lymphadenopathy without breast mass is benign reactive lymphadenopathy, but biopsy is necessary to exclude malignancies, such as metastatic lymphadenopathy or lymphoma.

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

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/category/bartonella-treatment/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/02/27/advanced-imaging-found-bartonella-around-pic-line/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/01/23/chest-imaging-of-cat-scratch-disease-in-2-year-old-immunocompetent-baby-with-no-history-of-cat-contact/

Bartonella is found in ticks:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/?s=Ticks+bartonella

 

Category:

Bartonella, research

Finally Confirmed! Vitamin D Nearly Abolishes ICU Risk in COVID-19

https://chrismasterjohnphd.com/covid-19/finally-confirmed-vitamin-d-nearly-abolishes-icu-risk-in-covid-19

Finally Confirmed! Vitamin D Nearly Abolishes ICU Risk in COVID-19

By Chris Masterjohn PhD, Nutritional Science

September 3, 2020

The first randomized controlled trial (RCT) of vitamin D in COVID-19 has just been published. The results are astounding: vitamin D nearly abolished the odds of requiring treatment in ICU. Although the number of deaths was too small to say for sure, vitamin D may actually abolish the risk of death from COVID-19.

The Vitamin D Treatment Protocol

The vitamin D was provided as oral calcifediol, also known as calcidiol, 25(OH)D, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D.  The treatment in this RCT was soft capsules of 532 mcg 25(OH)D on day 1 of admission to the hospital, followed by 266 mcg on days 3 and 7, and then 266 mcg once a week until discharge, ICU admission, or death.

This is equivalent to 106,400 IU vitamin D on day 1, 53,200 IU on days 3 and 7, and 53,200 IU weekly thereafter. If this were given as daily doses, it would be the equivalent of 30,400 per day for the first week, followed by a maintenance dose of 7,600 IU per day.

Version 6 of the Food and Supplement Guide for the Coronavirus

I have now released Version 6 of The Food and Supplement Guide for the Coronavirus to reflect the new study on vitamin D. Purchases of the guide are greatly appreciated, as they help sustain my work on this newsletter and will help me start finishing my Vitamins and Minerals 101 book. (See link for article)

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For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/07/29/researchers-investigating-possible-link-between-vitamin-d-deficiency-and-covid-19/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/07/07/why-you-may-need-more-vitamin-d-especially-now/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/03/12/the-importance-of-vitamin-d-k-and-magnesium-for-lyme-msids-patients/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/07/02/experts-criticize-government-review-of-vitamin-d-for-covid-19/

 

Category:

Activism, research, Supplements, Treatment, Viruses

Human Babesiosis: Recent Advances & Future Challenges

doi: 10.1097/MOH.0000000000000606. Online ahead of print.

Human babesiosis: recent advances and future challenges

Cheryl A Lobo 1, Manpreet Singh, Marilis Rodriguez
Affiliations expand
Abstract

Purpose of review: As human babesiosis caused by apicomplexan parasites of the Babesia genus is associated with transfusion-transmitted illness and relapsing disease in immunosuppressed populations, it is important to report novel findings relating to parasite biology that may be responsible for such pathology. Blood screening tools recently licensed by the FDA are also described to allow understanding of their impact on keeping the blood supply well tolerated.

Recent findings: Reports of tick-borne cases within new geographical regions such as the Pacific Northwest of the USA, through Eastern Europe and into China are also on the rise. Novel features of the parasite lifecycle that underlie the basis of parasite persistence have recently been characterized. These merit consideration in deployment of both detection, treatment and mitigation tools such as pathogen inactivation technology. The impact of new blood donor screening tests in reducing transfusion transmitted babesiosis is discussed.

Summary: New Babesia species have been identified globally, suggesting that the epidemiology of this disease is rapidly changing, making it clear that human babesiosis is a serious public health concern that requires close monitoring and effective intervention measures. Unlike other erythrocytic parasites, Babesia exploits unconventional lifecycle strategies that permit host cycles of different lengths to ensure survival in hostile environments. With the licensure of new blood screening tests, incidence of transfusion transmission babesiosis has decreased.

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https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/934602

Rise in Babesiosis Cases, Pennsylvania, USA, 2005–2018

David Ingram; Tonya Crook

Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2020;26(8):1703-1709. 

Abstract

Babesiosis is an emerging infection in the state of Pennsylvania, and clinicians need to be made aware of its clinical manifestations as well as the risk factors associated with severe disease. Before 2010, our tertiary academic center in central Pennsylvania previously saw zero cases of babesiosis. We saw our first confirmed case of Babesia infection acquired in Pennsylvania in 2011; we recorded 2 confirmed cases in 2017 and 4 confirmed cases in 2018. All 4 cases from 2018 were thought to be acquired in southcentral Pennsylvania counties, whereas prior reports of cases were predominately in the southeast and northeast counties of the state.

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**Comment**

Out of 352 patients in the second study, some of which were duplicates, they reviewed patient charts and only identified 8 cases using CDC criteria.  This continues to be a problem as CDC testing misses many cases, and many do not meet the stringent criteria which in many cases is arbitrary.  The study also noted that there were inconsistencies in the way blood smears and PCR testing were ordered.  

Important to note: most were immunocompetent.

Symptoms: (numbers in parenthesis show how many patients had it):

  • fever (6/8) 
  • malaise (5/8)
  • myalgias or arthralgias (2/8)
  • anorexia (2/8),
  • rash (1/8),
  • headache (1/8),
  • nausea or vomiting (1/8)
  • diarrhea (1/8)
  • respiratory failure (1/8)

The most common laboratory abnormalities:

  • anemia (seen in all patients)
  • thrombocytopenia (7/8)
  • transaminitis (7/8) – high liver counts can lead to liver damage
  • hyperbilirubinemia (7/8) excess bilirubin can cause jaundice
Importantly: concurrent Lyme disease was noted in half (4/8) of patients.

Patients were screened for Lyme disease by using ELISA; if the result was positive, then a Western blot was performed. Patients had Lyme disease diagnosed if they had positive ELISA results and positive IgM or IgG results on Western blot.

I can guarantee you more patients had Lyme but were omitted due to abysmal testing. This has been going on for over 40 years.

Six of the 8 patients were classified as having severe infection with parasitemia >10%. Four of the 6 patients with severe infection had co-infection with Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease). The 2 nonsevere patients did not have co-infection.

This agrees with previous findings that concurrent infection makes for more severe disease for a longer duration of time:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/category/babesia-treatment/

  • Most (7/8) patients received a combination of azithromycin and atovaquone 
  • 3 received clindamycin and quinine.  Of these 3 patients, 1 patient received clindamycin and quinine alone for the duration of their therapy, and 2 patients were switched to azithromycin and atovaquone because of persistent parasitemia. Two of the patients who received clindamycin and quinine (1 of whom was switched to azithromycin and atovaquone) also required blood or platelet transfusions. Five patients underwent red cell exchange transfusions.
  • Average duration of treatment was 18.1 days. The average duration of parasitemia was 9 days.
  • They only had exact date of clearance for 3 of the 8 patients

The authors admit that due to focusing on specific Babesia-related codes, they probably missed patients that were co-infected.  

Once again they erroneously bring up the climate as a factor in tick expansion (therefore disease expansion).  This has been proven to be a faulty assumption:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/11/07/ticks-on-the-move-due-to-migrating-birds-and-photoperiod-not-climate-change/

They correctly state there is a steady rise in Babesia throughout the U.S.  They also state that the geographic spread could be favored by prior establishment of Lyme disease and that coinfection in mouse reservoirs increases Babesia transmission.

They also rightly maintain:

clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion in patients with a nonspecific febrile syndrome despite absence of tick bite history or lack of an immunocompromising condition. Evaluation for co-infections, particularly co-infection with B. burgdorferi, should be considered given patients with co-infection appear to have more severe disease.

Herein lies the problem.  Testing for all of this remains abysmal.  Without accurate tests most doctors are just going continue to say, “It’s all in your head.”  And they will continue to get away with it.  

Most mainstream doctors are not even considering coinfection and continue to view this through a myopic tunnel-vision where they believe people are only infected with one pathogen.  

 

 

 

 

 

Category:

Babesia, research

Lyme Disease Misdiagnosed as Shingles

https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-disease-misdiagnosed-as-shingles-in-a-62-year-old-man/

LYME DISEASE MISDIAGNOSED AS SHINGLES IN A 62-YEAR-OLD MAN

man with lyme disease and shingles at doctor's office

A recent article, published in the journal Clinical Case Reports, describes the case of a 62-year-old man, from Norway, who was initially diagnosed with shingles, a viral infection which produces a painful skin rash with blisters in a localized area on the body. [1] Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is common in older individuals who have had chickenpox.

By

According to Hansen and colleagues, the patient was admitted to the emergency department complaining of epigastric pain that had been ongoing for 4 to 5 weeks. “He described a constant pain with episodic worsening,” writes Hansen. The pain began with a rash in the man’s right upper quadrant area.

Physicians considered several diagnoses. The man had a history of migraines, anxiety, colon polyps, and had been treated for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Small gallbladder stones were present but were not acute.

The man was diagnosed with shingles and prescribed acyclovir and pregabalin. Despite treatment, he remained ill. His pain increased and “he developed additional symptoms including nausea, lethargy, decreased appetite, constipation, decreased size and force of the urinary stream, and a 5–7 kg weight loss,” writes Hansen.

Imaging and lab tests were negative and the man was discharged. However, one week later, he was re-admitted to the hospital because “his general practitioner did not find it reasonable that his anxiety could explain his current symptoms,” says Hansen.

The man lived in an area endemic for Lyme disease. Although he did not recall a recent tick bite, he had been bitten previously, so serologic tests for Lyme disease were performed. Because his titers of B. burgdorferi IgG were so high and he had a history of tick bites and a rash, a lumbar puncture was ordered. Results were positive.

The 62-year-old man was diagnosed with Lyme disease. His symptoms, except for fatigue, resolved after a 3-week course of IV ceftriaxone. “His weight is now normalized and he has no problems with constipation,” explains Hansen. “The abdominal pain is almost gone. His main problem is fatigue but this is gradually improving.”

The authors point out that atypical clinical presentations of Lyme disease can occur, including gastrointestinal manifestations because of autonomous dysfunction, as was seen in this case.

Related Articles:

What happens to the brain during acute Lyme neuroborreliosis?

At least 50% of patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis remain ill years after treatment

When it looks like a brain tumor but it is Lyme disease

References:
  1. Hansen BA, Finjord T, Bruserud O. Autonomous dysfunction in Lyme neuroborreliosis. A case report. Clin Case Rep. 2018;6(5):901-903.

Category:

Lyme, research