Archive for the ‘research’ Category

Clinical Trial in the Works Using IV Vitamin C Against the 2019-nCoV Virus

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04264533

Brief Summary:

2019 new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infected pneumonia, namely severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) has caused global concern and emergency. There is a lack of effective targeted antiviral drugs, and symptomatic supportive treatment is still the current main treatment for SARI.

Vitamin C is significant to human body and plays a role in reducing inflammatory response and preventing common cold. In addtion, a few studies have shown that vitamin C deficiency is related to the increased risk and severity of influenza infections.

We hypothize that Vitamin C infusion can help improve the prognosis of patients with SARI. Therefore, it is necessary to study the clinical efficacy and safety of vitamin C for the clinical management of SARI through randomized controlled trials during the current epidemic of SARI.

Condition or disease Intervention/treatment Phase
Vitamin CPneumonia, ViralPneumonia, Ventilator-Associated Drug: Vit CDrug: Water for infusion Phase 2

Detailed Description:

At the end of 2019, patients with unexplained pneumonia appeared in Wuhan, China. At 21:00 on January 7, 2020, a new coronavirus was detected in the laboratory, and the detection of pathogenic nucleic acids was completed at 20:00 on January 10. Subsequently, the World Health Organization officially named the new coronavirus that caused the pneumonia epidemic in Wuhan as 2019 new coronavirus (2019-nCoV), and the pneumonia was named severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). Up to February 4, 2020, over 20000 cases have been diagnosed in China, 406 of which have died, and 154 cases have been discovered in other countries around the world. Most of the deaths were elderly patients or patients with severe underlying diseases. SARI has caused global concern and emergency.

Statistics of the 41 patients with SARI published in JAMA initially showed that 13 patients were transferred into the ICU, of which 11 (85%) had ARDS and 3 (23%) had shock. Of these, 10 (77%) required mechanical ventilation support, and 2 (15%) required ECMO support. Of the above 13 patients, 5 (38%) eventually died and 7 (38%) were transferred out of the ICU. Viral pneumonia is a dangerous condition with a poor clinical prognosis. For most viral infections, there is a lack of effective targeted antiviral drugs, and symptomatic supportive treatment is still the current main treatment.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has antioxidant properties. When sepsis happens, the cytokine surge caused by sepsis is activated, and neutrophils in the lungs accumulate in the lungs, destroying alveolar capillaries. Early clinical studies have shown that vitamin C can effectively prevent this process. In addition, vitamin C can help to eliminate alveolar fluid by preventing the activation and accumulation of neutrophils, and reducing alveolar epithelial water channel damage. At the same time, vitamin C can prevent the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, which is a biological event of vascular injury caused by neutrophil activation. Vitamins can effectively shorten the duration of the common cold. In extreme conditions (athletes, skiers, art workers, military exercises), it can effectively prevent the common cold. And whether vitamin C also has a certain protective effect on influenza patients, only few studies have shown that vitamin C deficiency is related to the increased risk and severity of influenza infections. In a controlled but non-randomized trial, 85% of the 252 students treated experienced a reduction in symptoms in the high-dose vitamin C group (1g / h at the beginning of symptoms for 6h, followed by 3 * 1g / day). Among patients with sepsis and ARDS, patients in the high-dose vitamin group did not show a better prognosis and other clinical outcomes. There are still some confounding factors in the existing research, and the conclusions are different.

Therefore, during the current epidemic of SARI, it is necessary to study the clinical efficacy and safety of vitamin C for viral pneumonia through randomized controlled trials.

Study Design
Go to  sections
Study Type : Interventional  (Clinical Trial)
Estimated Enrollment : 140 participants
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
Official Title: Vitamin C Infusion for the Treatment of Severe 2019-nCoV Infected Pneumonia: a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial
Estimated Study Start Date : February 10, 2020
Estimated Primary Completion Date : September 30, 2020
Estimated Study Completion Date : September 30, 2020
Arms and Interventions
Go to  sections
Arm Intervention/treatment
Experimental: Vit C

24g Vitamin C+water for injection, total volume 50ml. 7ml/h; infusion pump.
 Drug: Vit C

24g Vitamin C will be infused in the experimental group per day for 7 days by the infusion pump with a speed of 7ml/h.
Other Name: Vitamin C
Placebo Comparator: Water for injection

50ml water for injection. 7ml/h; infusion pump.
 Drug: Water for infusion

50ml water for infusion will be infused in the placebo comparator group per day for 7 days by the infusion pump with a speed of 7ml/h.
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures :

  1. Ventilation-free days [ Time Frame: on the day 28 after enrollment ]
    days without ventilation support during 28 days after patients’ enrollment
Secondary Outcome Measures :

  1. 28-days mortality [ Time Frame: on the day 28 after enrollment ]
    wether the patient survives
  2. ICU length of stay [ Time Frame: on the day 28 after enrollment ]
    days of the patients staying in the ICU
  3. Demand for first aid measuments [ Time Frame: on the day 28 after enrollment ]
    t t the rate of CPR
  4. Vasopressor days [ Time Frame: on the day 28 after enrollment ]
    days of using vasopressors
  5. Respiratory indexes [ Time Frame: on the day 10 and 28 after enrollment ]
    P O2/Fi O2 which reflects patients’ respiratory function
  6. Ventilator parameters [ Time Frame: on the day 10 and 28 after enrollment ]
    Ecmo or ventilator
  7. APACHE II scores [ Time Frame: on the day 10 after enrollment ]
    Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation
  8. SOFA scores [ Time Frame: on the day 10 after enrollment ]
    Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment

 

Category:

research, Supplements, Treatment, Viruses

Classification & Staging of Morgellons Disease: Lessons From Syphilis

https://www.dovepress.com/classification-and-staging-of-morgellons-disease-lessons-from-syphilis-peer-reviewed-article-CCID

Classification and Staging of Morgellons Disease: Lessons from Syphilis 

Authors Middelveen MJ, Martinez RM, Fesler MC, Sapi E, Burke J, Shah JS, Nicolaus C, Stricker RB

Received 24 November 2019

Accepted for publication 16 January 2020

Published 7 February 2020 Volume 2020:13 Pages 145—164

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S239840

Video abstract presented by Melissa C. Fesler.

Introduction: Morgellons disease (MD) is a contested dermopathy that is associated with Borreliaspirochetal infection. A simple classification system was previously established to help validate the disease based on clinical features (classes I-IV).Methods: Drawing on historical and pathological parallels with syphilis, we formulated a more detailed staging system based on clinical features as well as severity of skin lesions and corresponding histopathological infection patterns, as determined by anti-Borrelia immunohistochemical staining.

Results: Clinical classes I-IV of MD are further categorized as mild, moderate and severe, or stages A, B and C, respectively, based on histopathological findings. Stage A lesions demonstrated little or no immune infiltrates and little or no disorganization of cells; macrophages were not present, and hemorrhage was negligible. Extracellular isolated spirochetes and intracellular staining of keratinocytes in the lower epidermis was occasionally seen. Stage C lesions demonstrated positive staining of keratinocytes in the stratum basale and stratum spinosum and positive intracellular staining of macrophages for Borrelia. Aggregate Borrelia colonies were frequently encountered, hemorrhage was frequent, and intracellularly stained fibroblasts were occasionally seen. Stage B lesions demonstrated a pattern intermediate between Stages A and C.

Conclusion: The enhanced staging system provides objective criteria to assess the severity of dermopathy in MD. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment for MD based on this staging system related to Borrelia infection.

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For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/02/15/morgellons-disease-foundation-goes-skin-deep-with-groundbreaking-documentary/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/05/29/mixed-borrelia-burgdorferi-helicobacter-pylori-biofilms-in-morgellons-disease-dermatological-specimens/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/06/17/morgellons-believe-it/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/10/27/research-on-morgellons/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/12/10/morgellons-in-dogs/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/08/19/interview-marianne-middelveen-on-morgellons/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/03/05/morgellons-not-a-delusion-states-new-study/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/11/20/interview-with-morgellons-expert-dr-ginger-savely/

Category:

Morgellons, research

Latest Look at Lyme – Dr. Waters

latest look at Lyme july 2018Paper Here

Written by Dr. Robert Waters, https://www.watersbiomed.com

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Waters’ 8 pronged approach to treating Lyme/MSIDS:  https://www.watersbiomed.com/integrative-approach-to-lyme-disease.html  All of which are discussed in the paper above.

He also discusses typical deficiencies patients have and the importance of supplementation to boost the body’s ability to fight for itself.

For Doctor Waters’ presentation:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2015/04/18/dr-waters-presentation/

You can also watch videos, read published papers, and read newsletter on various topics.

Category:

diet and nutrition, Gut Health, Herbs, Inflammation, Lyme, research, Treatment

Borrelia Burgdorferi Hijacks Cellular Metabolism of Immune Cells: Consequences For Host Defense

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32035898/

2020 Feb 3:101386. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101386. [Epub ahead of print]

Borrelia burgdorferi hijacks cellular metabolism of immune cells: Consequences for host defense.

Kerstholt M1, Netea MG2, Joosten LAB3.

Abstract

Changes in cellular metabolism have proven to be important factors in driving cell behavior. It has been shown that cellular metabolism of immune cells changes when exposed to or infected by several pathogens: while this is often an adaptation of the host cells to the infection, sometimes it represents a mechanism through which the pathogens evade immune activation. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, is a pathogen that highly depends on the host to survive, as the bacterium lacks many central metabolic pathways to generate its own nutrients. It is therefore quite likely that the bacterium interacts with host cells to obtain these metabolites and thereby affects metabolism in the host. Previously, several studies have assessed metabolic pathways in B. burgdorferi s.l. and how it adapts to its different host species. However, few studies have looked into how the interaction with the bacterium might affect the host cell metabolism. In this review we present the major metabolic pathways activated during Lyme borreliosis, viewed from both bacterium and host metabolism, and we discuss how these pathways interact with each other, and how they influence pathogenesis of Lyme borreliosis.

 

 

Category:

Lyme, research

Is Lyme Disease Being Overlooked During Infectious Disease Consultations?

https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-disease-overlooked-infectious-disease-consultations/

IS LYME DISEASE BEING OVERLOOKED DURING INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONSULTATIONS?

Infectious disease doctors at one center in France looked at 355 patients who were referred for consultation for presumed Lyme disease. Only 48 of those patients were diagnosed with Lyme disease using the European Union Concerted Action on Lyme Borreliosis (EUCALB) criteria. Could Lyme disease have been dismissed in any of the remaining 86% (n=307) of individuals?

By

In their article “Functional signs in patients consulting for presumed Lyme borreliosis,” Voitey et al. found that in the 48 patients diagnosed with Lyme disease, the most common functional symptoms were arthralgia (23%), neuropathic pain (23%) and asthenia (17%). Asthenia is characterized by abnormal physical weakness or lack of energy. 

“Unlike published data, arthralgia and myalgia were more frequent in our study: 30% and 6% of cases respectively,” writes Voitey.

Another 8 patients were diagnosed with probable Lyme, writes Voitey.  Each of these cases reflects the complexity of the diagnostic process.

  • 5 patients with “meningoradiculitis (suggestive clinical signs and symptoms, positive serology but the lumbar puncture was not performed and regression of symptoms was observed after treatment)”
  • 1 patient with “myositis (persistent localized muscle pain with positive Lyme serology and cure after antibiotic therapy)”
  • 2 patients with “sensory polyneuropathy (axonal involvement assessed by electromyogram, positive Lyme serology, no CSF pleocytosis, but positive index for intrathecal synthesis in CSF).”

The infectious disease specialists concluded that the remaining 196 individuals suffered from another condition.

“A differential diagnosis was made at the end of the consultation for 196 (64%) patients, mainly rheumatologic diseases (25.5%), psychiatric disorders (25%), neurological disorders (11%), infectious diseases (9.6%), and dermatological disorders (9.6%),” writes Voitey.

Infectious disease doctors find 36% of patients referred for consultation did not have Lyme disease. Or did they? CLICK TO TWEETHowever, the authors were not able to make a diagnosis for the remaining 111 individuals.  “No diagnosis was found or suggested at the end of the infectious disease consultation for 36% of patients.”

Yet, these individuals (not diagnosed with Lyme disease) were more symptomatic than those who were diagnosed.  The non-Lyme group exhibited asthenia (59%), myalgia (32%) and general pain (31%).

The authors did not question the EUCALB Lyme disease criteria, which is dependent, in large part, on patients having positive serologic tests or spinal tap confirmation.

The criteria also does not include other manifestations of Lyme disease, such as neuropsychiatric Lyme and post-Lyme disease syndrome.

Nor did the authors question the reliability of their diagnosis of other conditions.

“No systematic multidisciplinary meeting was held, and patients were referred to a specialist based on the initial clinical presentation and on the infectious disease specialist’s advice,” writes Voitey.

Related Articles:

Study finds misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis common for Lyme disease patients

How many Lyme disease patients don’t meet strict diagnostic criteria?

Dismissing chronic Lyme disease for somatic symptom disorder diagnosis

References:
  1. Voitey M, Bouiller K, Chirouze C, Fournier D, Bozon F, Klopfenstein T. Functional signs in patients consulting for presumed Lyme borreliosis. Med Mal Infect. 2019 Nov 10.
  2. Stanek G, Fingerle V, Hunfeld K-P, Jaulhac B, Kaiser R, Krause A, et al. Lyme borreliosis: clinical case definitions for diagnosis and management in Europe. Clin Microbiol Infect 2011;17:69–79.

 

Category:

Lyme, research, Testing