Archive for the ‘research’ Category

Bartonella henselae Neuroretinitis in Patients Without Cat Scratch

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29962482/

Bartonella henselae neuroretinitis in patients without cat scratch.

Celiker H, et al. Jpn J Infect Dis. 2018.

Abstract
Cat-scratch disease (CSD) is a syndrome which is characterized by lymphadenopathy, fever, and skin lesions in association with a cat scratch or bite. Bartonella henselae is the primary bacterial agent responsible for CSD. Here we report serologically proven atypical presentation cases of B henselae neuroretinitis. In this study, three neuroretinitis patients were evaluated. Animal contact histories, ocular examinations, systemic work-up, clinical findings, and treatment compliance of the patients were assessed. All the patients denied a history of a cat or any animal contact, or of having CSD findings. Serologic testing with indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used for diagnosis of Bartonella neuroretinitis. IFA test results were positive for all patients. Two of the patients were treated with antibiotics. Optic disc edema and macular exudates resolved gradually, and at their last follow-up visits, all the signs had disappeared. There was no disease recurrence after finishing treatment. Serious complications were seen in the untreated patient. In conclusion, even though there may be a lack of systemic signs and symptoms of CSD in a patient with neuroretinitis, B henselae infection should be considered.

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**Comment**

This article points out an extremely important point – Bartonella is spreading without a history of cat or animal contact, which begs the question:

HOW DID THEY GET IT?

I just posted this today and commented that many Lyme/MSIDS patients have Bartonella yet authorities are denying tick involvement:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/07/10/infective-endocarditis-associated-with-bartonella-henselae-a-case-series/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/?s=Bartonella+Treatment  Here we see far more than ticks carry Bart:

Arthropod vectors including fleas and flea feces, biting flies such as sand flies and horn flies, the human body louse, mosquitoes, and ticks; through bites and scratches of reservoir hosts; and potentially from needles and syringes in the drug addicted. Needle stick transmission to veterinarians has been reported. There is documentation that cats have received it through blood transfusion. 3.2% of blood donors in Brazil were found to carry Bartonella in their blood. Bartonella DNA has been found in dust mites. Those with arthropod exposure have an increased risk, as well as those working and living with pets that have arthropod exposure. 28% of veterinarians tested positively for Bartonella compared with 0% of controls. About half of all cats may be infected with Bartonella – as high as 80% in feral cats and near 40% of domestic cats. In various studies dogs have close to a 50% rate as well. Evidence now suggests it may be transmitted congenitally from mother to child – potentially leading to birth defects.

Is this getting any media coverage?  Nope.  Yet we STILL hear about Zika…..despite the fact mosquitoes here in Wisconsin can’t even carry it!  And according to 2017 CDC data, only SEVEN cases were reported through “presumed” local mosquito transmission in Florida and Texas:  https://www.cdc.gov/zika/reporting/2017-case-counts.html

So the question begs to be asked, why are my tax dollars going toward a disease that can’t even be acquired in the state of Wisconsin, yet no work is being done on Bartonella, yet nearly every Wisconsin patient I work with has it?  

Oh, and it can kill you…..

 

Category:

Bartonella, research, Testing, Treatment

Infective Endocarditis Associated with Bartonella henselae: A Case Series

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6010976/

Infective endocarditis associated with Bartonella henselae: A case series

Akio Nakasu,⁎ Tohru Ishimine, Hiroshi Yasumoto, Toshiho Tengan, and Hidemistu Mototake

Abstract
Organisms in the genus Bartonella are cause of blood culture-negative endocarditis. Bartonella infective endocarditis is being increasingly reported worldwide; however, reports from Japan are limited. Here, we report five cases of infective endocarditis associated with Bartonella henselae. All patients had a history of contact with cats or fleas; this information helped achieve an appropriate diagnosis.

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**Comment**

The word on Bart is finally getting around.  It is not some benign pathogen to shrug off but can actually kill you.  

While this article discusses cats and fleas, too many people with Lyme/MSIDS are infected with Bart to deny either the direct transmission by a tick, the involvement of other vectors, or the ability for a tick bite to activate a latent infection, or all of the above.  

You will find some claiming tick transmission, while others deny it.  Research must be done to settle the issue once and for all as most doctors are not even considering Bartonella with Lyme/MSIDS patients and for many it’s a big player.

For more on Bartonella:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/01/03/bartonella-treatment/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/05/07/fox-news-bartonella-is-the-new-lyme-disease/

More on tick borne illness and heart issues:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/06/03/heart-problems-tick-borne-disease/  (Please know viruses, bacteria, and parasites can cause heart issues and many are transmitted by a tick or reactivate latent infections within the body)

Category:

Bartonella, Heart Issues, research

Infected Ticks Collected From Birds in Northern Italy

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29925679/

Molecular screening for bacterial pathogens in ticks (Ixodes ricinus) collected on migratory birds captured in northern Italy.

Pajoro M, et al. Folia Parasitol (Praha). 2018.

Abstract
Migratory birds have an important role in transporting ticks and associated tick-borne pathogens over long distances. In this study, 2,793 migratory birds were captured by nets in a ringing station, located in northern Italy, and checked for the presence of ticks. Two-hundred and fifty-one ticks were identified as nymphs and larvae of Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) and they were PCR-screened for the presence of bacteria belonging to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp., Francisella tularensis and Coxiella burnetii. Four species of Borrelia (B. garinii, B. afzelii, B. valaisiana and B. lusitaniae) and three species of Rickettsia (R. monacensis, R. helvetica and Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii) were detected in 74 (30%) and 25 (10%) respectively out of 251 ticks examined. Co-infection with Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia spp. in the same tick sample was encountered in 7 (7%) out of the 99 infected ticks. We report for the first time the presence of Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii in I. ricinus collected on birds in Italy. This study, besides confirming the role of birds in dispersal of I. ricinus, highlights an important route by which tick-borne pathogens might spread across different countries and from natural environments towards urbanised areas.

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**Comment**

So glad this work on birds commuting infected ticks around the globe is being done as it highlights an important way tick-borne illness is becoming a global pandemic.  I honestly can’t believe it’s taken this long to get the word out and I also can’t believe doctors and authorities seriously believe that certain ticks and therefore infections CAN’T be in certain geographical locations.  Really?

It’s simple logic that birds, rodents, lizards, deer, and other reservoirs can carry these ticks everywhere.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/28261565/?i=6&from=/29925679/related   This work, done in Romania, a gateway to Europe, showed:

All eight Borrelia genospecies were detected in I. ricinus ticks: Borrelia garinii (14.8%), B. afzelii (8.8%), B. valaisiana (5.1%), B. lusitaniae (4.9%), B. miyamotoi (0.9%), B. burgdorferi s.s (0.4%), and B. bissettii (0.2%). Regarding pathogen co-infection 64.5% of infected I. ricinus were positive for more than one pathogen.  The diversity of tick-borne pathogens detected in this study and the frequency of co-infections should influence all infection risk evaluations following a tick bite.

More on migratory birds spreading infection:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/08/17/of-birds-and-ticks/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/10/02/the-role-of-birds-in-tickborne-illness/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/06/08/hemorrhagic-fever-virus-found-on-ticks-on-migratory-birds/

 

 

 

 

 

Category:

Lyme, research, Rickettsia, Testing, Ticks, Transmission

Cat Scratch Disease in a 1.5 Year Old Girl – Case Report

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/29936799/

Cat Scratch Disease in a 1.5-year-old girl – Case report.

Karski J, et al. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2018.

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The paper is a case report presenting Cat Scratch Disease (CSD) in a 1.5-year- old girl. Bartoneloses, including CSD, are a group of infectious diseases which are rarely detected, therefore there are no statistical data concerning the aetiology, and the incidence of CSD noted in Poland is low in comparison with other European countries.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the paper is to discuss several problems related to CSD.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 1.5-year-old girl who was seen in hospital for the sparing use of her left arm when crawling. X-rays showed osteolytic lesions which radiologists described as multi-ocular cyst or infection. As neither clinical examination nor laboratory investigations found pathological signs, the patient was followed-up on an ambulant basis. Repeated x-ray taken 4 weeks later showed increased periosteal proliferation accompanied by pain. The baby was admitted to the Clinic but additional investigations found no pathologies. The baby was consulted by a rheumatologist and haematologist; however, they did not facilitate a definitive diagnosis. As the baby developed, because of a thickening of the soft tissues on the dorsal side of the distal epiphisis in the forearm the doctors decided to inspect the condition operatively. Macroscopic examination found brownish granulated tissue. Suction drainage was inserted and a tissue sample was tested for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, tuberculosis and borelliosis. The test results were negative. The baby was in good condition, was not pyrexial and suffered from less pain. The diagnostics was further expanded and the baby tested for yersinia, chlamydia, tuberculosis and bartonella, i.e. CSD. The postoperative wound healed soon and radiological bony lesions began to resolve. After a month, we received a positive bartonella test result, the baby tested positively for Bartonella henselae IgG class, which confirmed past or active infection of CSD. A repeated test for B. henselae taken 6 months later showed a lower level of antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS: It should be remembered that CSD, which is an extremely rare infection, can be diagnosed despite mediocre clinical and radiological manifestations. Thus, in the case of infections of unexplained aetiology and mediocre manifestations diagnostics should include testing for Bartonella henselae.

PMID 29936799 [ – in process]

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**Comment**

There is little to no statistical data on Bartonella, that’s for sure, but it’s far from a rare infection & it is far from benign, in fact I would go as far to state it is prolific and devastating.  

Please note the finding of granulated tissue.  Bartonella is primarily a vascular disease and causes all sorts of bizarre symptoms – including nodules on the shins and painful soles of the feet; however, please do not underestimate the cognitive/psychological symptoms of this disease (anxiety, anger, suicidal thoughts).  It can also cause:  aseptic meningitis, neuroretinitis & other vision problems, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), headaches, seizures, heartburn, abdominal pain, skin rash, gastritis, duodentis, mesenteric adenitis, myocarditis & endocarditis, and cysts.  

Authorities are still squabbling over whether ticks transmit this or not, but we know for sure spiders and other arachnids do as well as cat scratches, biting flies, fleas, needle stick transmission in veterinarians as well as drug users.  And just because something can’t be seen/proven in ticks, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.  Frankly, all it shows is the science is lagging and this is a fastidious organism which is hard to detect.  All I know is that nearly every Lyme/MSIDS patient I work with has Bart.  So either the tick transmits directly OR a previously asymptomatic case is triggered upon getting a tick bite.  Either way, WE GOT IT and it needs to be considered in each and every Lyme/MSIDS patient.

For more on Bartonella:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/01/03/bartonella-treatment/  (Checklist and treatment options within this link)

Fifteen species of gram-negative aerobic Bartonella are known to infect humans; however Dr. Ricardo Maggi’s statement is quite telling, “This case reinforces the hypothesis that any Bartonella species can cause human infection.”

Dr. Mozayeni talks about Bartonella as one of the major co-infections of Lyme disease. It’s more prevalent than Lyme, as there are many more ways to contract the disease (eg. flees, cats). In a study, that Dr. Breitschwerdt and Mozayeni published in The Journal of Emerging Diseases, about 60% of Lyme patients tested positive for Bartonella. Dr. Mozayeni also talks about the importance of looking at Biofilm when treating Lyme, Bartonella etc. as biofilm can harbor many of these microbes and be the cause of many symptoms.

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/05/07/fox-news-bartonella-is-the-new-lyme-disease/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/08/09/a-bartonella-story/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/06/12/osteomyelitis-in-cat-scratch-disease-a-never-ending-dilemma-a-case-report-literature-review/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/04/03/encephalopathy-in-adult-with-cat-scratch-disease/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/05/09/rheumatological-presentation-of-bartonella-koehlerae-henselae-a-case-report-chiropractors-please-read/  Please note the joint popping with each articulation and continual joint subluxation issue.
Chiropractors need to be told about this. Please educate! Send them this article.  I too had this bizarre popping of the joints with a lot of instability in the knees. Treatment completely ameliorated this issue so treatment is primo important.

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/06/15/fleas-harbor-bartonella-13-days-post-infection-continuously-excrete-bartonella-dna/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/06/20/northern-southern-ca-cats-have-bartonella-and-rickettsia-proven-by-16s-rrna-next-gen-sequencing/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/12/29/cardinal-state-bartonella/

 

 

 

 

Category:

Bartonella, Lyme, Psychological Aspects, research, Ticks, Transmission, Treatment

Lyme Meningoencephalitis Masquerading as Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5984262/#__ffn_sectitle

Lyme Meningoencephalitis Masquerading as Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Monitoring Editor: Alexander Muacevic and John R Adler
Aakash Desai, Gaurav Manek, Anand M Krishnan, Corina Iorgoveanu, Ahmed Zaghloul

Abstract
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused primarily by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease is most prevalent in forested areas endemic for Ixodes tick, which transmits the spirochete. Here, we describe a case of Lyme meningoencephalitis masquerading as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) which initially presented with urinary incontinence, gait instability, and neurological decline. Due to its non-specific symptoms and low incidence, Lyme meningoencephalitis causing NPH like syndrome poses a diagnostic conundrum for clinicians. Awareness of this disease entity is key for prompt diagnosis and treatment.

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**Comment**

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), which normally affects older people, is a brain disorder where there’s too much cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s ventricle which causes trouble reasoning, thinking and walking, as well as loss of bladder control.  There can also be personality & behavior changes, and apathy.  Brain imaging to detect enlarged ventricles as well as MRI’s help with diagnosis.  Causes include hemorrhages, inflammation, and infections, and unknown reasons.

In this case, the patient appeared to have NPH but was rather infected with Lyme.

I know many patients who have excruciating headaches that they would describe as meningal, including myself.  The entire lining of the head hurts.  Some even receive a Chiari diagnosis as the swelling can force the brain to go through the opening of the skull.  For me the best antibiotics were those like minocycline which cross the blood/brain barrier.  I honestly wondered if I’d ever have a day without this head pain.  Good, effective treatment eradicated this but doctors are woefully unprepared.  Please contact your local Lyme support group if you have symptoms for a list of ILADS trained doctors who understand the complexity of this disease and will treat accordingly.

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/04/02/chiari/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/06/04/minocycline-for-ms-and-much-more/

 

Category:

Inflammation, Lyme, research, Ticks