Archive for the ‘research’ Category

Borrelia Antibodies Found in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease & Case Report on Lyme Presenting as Complete Heart Block

https://danielcameronmd.com/borrelia-antibodies-found-in-patients-with-coronary-heart-disease/

BORRELIA ANTIBODIES FOUND IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE

borrelia-antibodies-coronary-heart-disease

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, can be associated with cardiovascular complications. This is known as Lyme carditis, and occurs when the spirochete bacteria penetrate the heart tissue. The infection can lead to heart block and other complications, as it disrupts the heart’s electrical signals.

By 

How many patients who underwent surgery for coronary heart disease (CHD) had evidence of a prior infection with Borrelia burgdorferi (the bacterium which causes Lyme disease)?

A study by Pietruszka and colleagues, “Serologic Status of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Patients with Cardiovascular Changes,” sought to answer that question.¹ The authors examined the level of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi IgG antibodies in the blood serum of patients with advanced coronary heart disease.

The study participants included 70 patients – 22 women and 48 men – between the ages 50-82, who required surgery for coronary artery disease. An ELISA test for Lyme disease was positive in 34% of these patients and ‘borderline’ in 17% of patients.

The study found, “more than a third of the patients had elevated IgG levels against Borrelia as detected by a screening test, indicating previous contact with spirochetes,” the authors wrote.

These individuals were asked whether they had noticed a tick bite during their lifetime and if they ever exhibited typical Lyme disease symptoms.

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, can be associated with cardiovascular complications.

More than half (57%) had recalled a tick bite but had not been diagnosed or treated for Lyme disease. The majority (85%) did not notice an erythema migrans rash.

“We found a link between antibody levels and tick bites but not with other risk factors for the development of CHD,” the authors wrote.

“These findings support the idea that, as one of many factors, the contact with spirochetal antigens may indicate a potential positive correlation with the formation of cardiovascular changes,” they added.

“… infectious agents such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato spirochetes, which cause Lyme disease, may also play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease.”

Cardiac complications due to Lyme disease typically occur a few weeks to a few months after infection, the authors point out. Symptoms include loss of consciousness, dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath.

“The most common symptoms are conduction disorders (which manifest as various degrees of heart block), atrial fibrillation (AFib), and tachycardia,” the authors wrote.

Additionally, an infection with B. burgdorferi may “lead to changes in arteries, and CAD as a result,” the authors point out. Astherosclerosis, an inflammatory condition, is associated with a build-up of plaque in the arteries.

Plaques have been found to include a variety of bacteria. One study concluded “that exposure to infectious pathogens such as spirochetes increases the risk of atherosclerosis in tick-endemic areas.”

References:
  1. Pietruszka K, Reagan F, Stążka J, Kozioł MM. Serologic Status of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Patients with Cardiovascular Changes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(3):2239. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032239

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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250923001233?via%3Dihub

Lyme disease presenting as complete heart block in a young man: Case report and review of pathogenesis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idcr.2023.e01799Get rights and content
Under a Creative Commons license
open access

Abstract

Lyme carditis is a serious complication of Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne infection in both the United States and Northern Europe. It is a rare manifestation of Lyme disease that primarily affects young adults with a marked 3:1 male-to-female predominance. The presentation of Lyme carditis is heterogenous and often non-specific, although the most common clinical manifestation is AV block, which can be acute in onset and can rapidly progress to complete heart block. We discuss the case of a young adult male with complete heart block as a complication of Lyme infection, presenting with two episodes of syncope without prodromal symptoms months after tick bites. There are several pathogen, host and environmental factors that can play an important role in the epidemiology and pathogenesis of this serious condition that is reversible if treated in a timely manner. It is important for clinicians to be familiar with the presentation and treatment of this infection that is now being observed in a wider geographic distribution so as to avoid serious long-term complications and unnecessary permanent pacemaking implantation.

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**Comment**

The ‘powers that be’ continue to state that these manifestations are ‘rare’ when testing, which has a sordid history, misses over 70% of all cases, leaving a majority of patients undiagnosed and untreated.

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Category:

Heart Issues, Lyme, research, Testing, Ticks

Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato & Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infections in German Horses

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/12/1984

Seroprevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infections in German Horses

by 1,*,1, 2, 1, 3, 1 and 3
Received: 15 April 2023 / Revised: 30 May 2023 / Accepted: 10 June 2023 / Published: 14 June 2023

Abstract

There are limited data on Lyme borreliosis (LB), a tick-borne disease caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, in horses. Seropositivity is not necessarily associated with clinical disease. Data on seropositivity against Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in German horses are sparse. Therefore, serum samples from horses (n = 123) suspected of having Lyme borreliosis and clinically healthy horses (n = 113) from the same stables were tested for specific antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The samples were screened for antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi (ELISA and an IgG line immunoblot assay). Furthermore, the samples were examined for antibodies against B. burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum with a validated rapid in-house test (SNAP® 4Dx Plus® ELISA).
The clinical signs of suspect horses included lameness (n = 36), poor performance (n = 19), and apathy (n = 12).
Twenty-three percent (n = 26) of suspect horses and 17% (n = 18) of clinically healthy horses were seropositive for having a Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection (p = 0.371), showing that the detection of specific antibodies against B. burgdorferi alone is not sufficient for a diagnosis of equine LB. Anaplasma phagocytophilum seropositivity and seropositivity against both pathogens was 20%/6% in suspect horses and 16%/2% in the clinically healthy population, showing only minor differences (p = 0.108). Unspecific testing for antibodies against B. burgdorferi without clinical suspicion of Lyme borreliosis is not recommended since the clinical relevance of seropositivity against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato remains to be elucidated.
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Category:

Anaplasmosis, Lyme, research, Testing

Autoimmune Inflammatory Reactions in Terminally Differentiated Tissues & Inability to Work Following COVID Shots – A Relevant Aspect For Future Boosters

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373925710_Autoimmune_inflammatory_reactions_triggered_by_the_COVID19_genetic_vaccines_

Autoimmune inflammatory reactions triggered by the COVID-19 genetic vaccines in terminally differentiated tissues Autoimmune inflammatory reactions triggered by the COVID-19 genetic vaccines in terminally differentiated tissues

September 2023

DOI:10.1080/08916934.2023.2259123
Authors: Panagis Polykretis, Alberto Donzelli,Azienda Sanitaria Locale di Milano, Janci C Lindsay, David M Wiseman

Abstract

As a result of the spread of SARS-CoV-2, a global pandemic was declared. Indiscriminate COVID-19 vaccination has been extended to include age groups and naturally immune people with minimal danger of suffering serious complications due to COVID-19. Solid immuno-histopathological evidence demonstrates that the COVID-19 genetic vaccines can display a wide distribution within the body, affecting tissues that are terminally differentiated and far away from the injection site. These include the heart and brain, which may incur in situ production of spike protein eliciting a strong autoimmunological inflammatory response. Due to the fact that every human cell which synthesises non-self antigens, inevitably becomes the target of the immune system, and since the human body is not a strictly compartmentalised system, accurate pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies are needed in order to determine precisely which tissues can be harmed. Therefore, our article aims to draw the attention of the scientific and regulatory communities to the critical need for biodistribution studies for the genetic vaccines against COVID-19, as well as for rational harm-benefit assessments by age group.
Numerous studies report the onset of autoimmune reactions following COVID-19 vaccination [47, 59-76]. The histopathological data provide indisputable evidence that demonstrates that the genetic vaccines exhimbit an off-target distribution, causing the synthesis of the spike protein and thus triggering autoimmune inflammatory reactions, even in tissues which are terminally differentiated and subject to symptomatic damage [38-40, 42].
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The conclusions are inescapable, mRNA vaccines will cause autoimmunity in all applications. The human body is simply too good at recognizing foreign proteins that populate at the cell surface synthesized from mRNA on ribosomes in the Golgi complex. ~ Dr. Peter McCullough

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37562083/

Inability to work following COVID-19 vaccination-a relevant aspect for future booster vaccinations

J Reusch 1, I Wagenhäuser 1, A Gabel 2, A Höhn 2, T-T Lâm 3, L B Krone 4, A Frey 5, A Schubert-Unkmeir 3, L Dölken 6, S Frantz 5, O Kurzai 7, U Vogel 8, M Krone 8, N Petri 9

PMID: 37562083

DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.07.008

Abstract

Objectives: COVID-19 vaccination is a key prevention strategy to reduce the spread and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, vaccine-related inability to work among healthcare workers (HCWs) could overstrain healthcare systems.

Study design: The study presented was conducted as part of the prospective CoVacSer cohort study.

Methods: This study examined sick leave and intake of pro re nata medication after the first, second, and third COVID-19 vaccination in HCWs. Data were collected by using an electronic questionnaire.

Results: Among 1704 HCWs enrolled, 595 (34.9%) HCWs were on sick leave following at least one COVID-19 vaccination, leading to a total number of 1550 sick days. Both the absolute sick days and the rate of HCWs on sick leave significantly increased with each subsequent vaccination. Comparing BNT162b2mRNA and mRNA-1273, the difference in sick leave was not significant after the second dose, but mRNA-1273 induced a significantly longer and more frequent sick leave after the third.

Conclusion: In the light of further COVID-19 infection waves and booster vaccinations, there is a risk of additional staff shortages due to post vaccination inability to work, which could negatively impact the already strained healthcare system and jeopardize patient care. These findings will aid further vaccination campaigns to minimize the impact of staff absences on the healthcare system.

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See Twitter link to enlarge graph

Category:

Activism, research, vaccines, Viruses

Study: Oral NAD+ & NMN Increases Intracellular NAD+ & Lowers Triglycerides

https://www.townsendletter.com/e-letter-17-nad_plus-supplementation-and-cellular-energy/

Case Study: Oral Supplementation with the NAD+ Precursor Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN)—Effects on Intracellular NAD+ and Triglycerides.

Alan Miller, ND

Abstract

NAD+ is a coenzyme that is essential in numerous metabolic reactions, the most important involving energy production. In the cellular respiration process, NAD+ is required for the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy currency of cells. NAD+ transfers electrons from molecules including glucose during glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. These electrons are then transferred to the electron transfer chain, where NAD+ acts as an essential mediator in energy production, ensuring the efficient functioning of cells. NAD+ is also critically involved in DNA repair and healthy aging sirtuin enzymes.

Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) is the most direct biochemical precursor to NAD+ and thus supplementation of this molecule is an efficient method of increasing intracellular NAD+, which can improve cellular energetics and markers of aging. NMN may also lower triglycerides. In a study of intravenous dosing of 300 mg NMN in 10 healthy individuals, researchers discovered a significant reduction in serum triglycerides.

One concern with NMN is that when taken in an oral dose this molecule might be damaged or otherwise metabolized by stomach acid, pancreatic enzymes, or first pass hepatic enzymes. In other studies, we have shown that a liposomal powder preparation can protect other molecules, such as glutathione, from this type of degradation and significantly increase blood levels of the whole molecule.

We performed a small case study in which individuals were given 1000 mg of an oral liposomal NMN preparation (powder in a capsule) once after a baseline blood test. Serial triglyceride tests were performed hourly for five hours. Participants had an average of 15% decrease in triglycerides at hour five, compared to baseline. Another group was tested at baseline for intracellular NAD+ (Jinfinity Labs), then was given 1000 mg of a liposomal powder NMN daily for 15 days. An intracellular NAD+ test was then performed after 15 days. NAD+ levels increased 100 percent over this period.

This is the first case series that has demonstrated a rapid triglyceride-lowering effect of oral liposomal NMN (over 5 hours), along with a 100-percent increase in intracellular NAD+ over a 15-day period.

(See link for full article)

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Category:

Heart Issues, research, Supplements, Testing, Treatment

Correlation Between COVID-19 Severity and Previous Exposure to Borrelia spp.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9509370/

Correlation between COVID-19 severity and previous exposure of patients to Borrelia spp.

Alina Szewczyk-Dąbrowska,1,2 Wiktoria Budziar,1 Marek Harhala,1,4 Krzysztof Baniecki,3 Aleksandra Pikies,3 Natalia Jędruchniewicz,1 Zuzanna Kaźmierczak,1,4 Katarzyna Gembara,1,4 Tomasz Klimek,1 Wojciech Witkiewicz,1 Artur Nahorecki,3 Kamil Barczyk,3 Marlena Kłak,1 Urszula Grata-Borkowska,2 and Krystyna Dąbrowskacorresponding author1,4
Author information Article notes Copyright and License information PMC Disclaimer

Abstract

Predictors for the risk of severe COVID-19 are crucial for patient care and control of the disease. Other infectious diseases as potential comorbidities in SARS-CoV-2 infection are still poorly understood. Here we identify association between the course of COVID-19 and Lyme disease (borreliosis), caused by Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted to humans by ticks. Exposure to Borrelia was identified by multi-antigenic (19 antigens) serological testing of patients:

  1. severe COVID-19 (hospitalized)
  2. asymptomatic to mild COVID-19 (home treated or not aware of being infected)
  3. infected with SARS-CoV-2

Increased levels of Borrelia-specific IgGs strongly correlated with COVID-19 severity and risk of hospitalization. This suggests that a history of tick bites and related infections may contribute to the risks in COVID-19. Though mechanisms of this link is not clear yet, screening for antibodies targeting Borrelia may help accurately assess the odds of hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 infected patients, supporting efforts for efficient control of COVID-19.

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**Comment**

Nothing shocking or new here.  Those who infected with Lyme/MSIDS are immunocompromised and are sitting ducks for about any disease that comes down the pike.  Don’t let this make you fearful, because stress is after-all, just as deadly.

Know you are compromised and then take actionable steps to mitigate your risk.

Make sure you are in good, effective treatment if you have symptoms, strengthen the immune system, avoid sugar and anything else that lowers the immune system and work with your doctor on supplements/antimicrobials, etc. that will help you fight off viruses and other opportunistic infections. This has always been the advice of Lyme literate doctors.  Nothing has changed.  Keep on, keeping on.

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Category:

Lyme, research, Viruses