Archive for the ‘Testing’ Category

High Prevalence, Diversity, & Coinfection of Bartonella in Saudi Arabian Gerbils

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30071312/

Molecular assessment of Bartonella in Gerbillus nanus from Saudi Arabia reveals high levels of prevalence, diversity and co-infection.

Kleynhans DJ, et al. Infect Genet Evol. 2018.

Abstract

Bartonellae bacteria are associated with several re-emerging human diseases. These vector-borne pathogens have a global distribution, yet data on Bartonella prevalence and diversity in the Arabian Peninsula are limited. In this study we assessed the Bartonella infection status of the Baluchistan gerbil (Gerbillus nanus), a species associated with pastoral communities throughout the Middle East region, using a multi-gene PCR screening approach.

The results demonstrated that 94 (68.1%) of the 138 gerbils trapped on a monthly basis, over a period of one year, were PCR-positive. Sequencing of the gltA gene region confirmed the presence of four discrete Bartonella lineages (I-IV) and high levels of co-infection (33.0%). Each of the four lineages, varied in overall abundance (7.5%-47.9%) and had discernible seasonal peaks. Bartonella status was significantly correlated with ectoparasite presence, but not with sex, nor with season. Statistical analyses further revealed that co-infected individuals had a significantly higher relative body condition. Multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) performed with a concatenated dataset of three genetic loci (gltA, nuoG, and rpoB), 1452 nucleotides (nt) in length confirmed that lineage IV, which occurred in 24 PCR-positive animals (25.5%), is most closely related to zoonotic B. elizabethae. The remaining three lineages (I-III) formed a monophyletic clade which, on the basis of gltA was shown to contain bartonellae from diverse Gerbillinae species from the Middle East, suggestive of a gerbil-associated species complex in this region. Lineage I was identical to a Candidatus B. sanaae strain identified previously in Bushy-tailed jirds (Sekeetamys calurus) from Egypt, wherease MLSA indicate that lineages II and III are novel. The high levels of infection and co-infection, together with the presence of multiple Bartonella lineages indicate that Gerbillus nanus is likely a natural reservoir of Bartonella in the Arabian Peninsula.

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**Comment**

Bartonella is highly prevalent in Lyme/MSIDS patients, yet, mainstream medicine isn’t even looking at it.  If they do look at it they make the mistake of downplaying its significance.  This article is yet another example of its proliferation and presence.  Ticks are also ectoparasites yet many deny its ability to transmit Bartonella.  This issue needs to be resolved; however, since so many Lyme/MSIDS patients have it, it’s either transmitted directly from ticks OR the tick bite and subsequent immune suppression causes asymptomatic cases to reactivate.  Either way, it is an important issue.

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/01/03/bartonella-treatment/  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.”

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2011/09/25/the-bartonella-checklist-copyrighted-2011-james-schaller-md-version-11/  If you suspect Bartonella, print off and fill out this checklist.  While the symptoms are many and varied, my husband had unexplained and sudden anxiety, irritability, rage, sudden knee-jerk reactions, skin tags & severe itching, and we both felt as if someone beat the bottoms of our feet with a hammer.  Proper treatment ameliorated all of these symptoms.

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/01/02/bartonella-in-entire-canadian-family/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/10/02/1st-documented-case-of-girl-with-blood-stream-infection-with-bartonella-with-coinfection-of-another-bartonella-strain/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/11/10/neurological-presentations-of-bartonella-henselae-infection/

Category:

Bartonella, research, Testing, Ticks, Treatment

The History Of Lyme Disease – Dr. Burrascano

https://www.ilads.org/dr-burrascano-happy-holidays/?  Approx. 43 Min.

The History of Lyme Disease

Dr. Burrascano explains and debunks much of what is accepted and blindly promoted in main-stream medicine about Lyme.

For a summary of the video go here.  Go here for an article that presents a bird’s-eye view of the entire issue.

He also shares what he discovered worked with patients, including himself, often by trial and error.

Important takeaways:

  • Burrascano found that blood levels of various drugs in some patients was low or even undetectable.  In other words, the level of doxycycline in the blood for instance, was too low to kill anything, which helps explain why some fail antibiotic therapy.  (Scroll to 17:30 for this information.)  He also cringes because the CDC guidelines state all patients should receive 200mg of doxycycline, which sets some patients up for failure.  Doctors should do blood levels on patients to determine if it’s working.
  • He, as well as ILADS, recommends being symptom-free for 2-4 months before stopping treatment.  Then, wait until symptoms return and go back on treatment.  This is called Cycling.  He found that cycling 3-4 times typically worked for most patients.  Ironically, the 3rd cycle yielded the worst herx.  Pam Weintraub wrote about this in, “Cure Unknown:  Inside the Lyme Disease Epidemic,” way back in the 90’s, yet few doctors do this.
Please share this with family, friends, doctors, and researchers.

Category:

Activism, Lyme, research, Testing, Treatment

Relapsing Fever Spirochete Uniquely Adapted to Highly Oxidative Salivary Glands of Soft-bodied Tick

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30489694

2018 Nov 29:e12987. doi: 10.1111/cmi.12987. [Epub ahead of print]

The relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia turicatae persists in the highly oxidative environment of its soft-bodied tick vector.

Bourret TJ1, Boyle WK1, Zalud A1, Valenzuela JG2, Oliveira F2, Lopez JE3.

Abstract

The relapsing fever spirochete Borrelia turicatae possesses a complex life cycle in its soft-bodied tick vector, Ornithodoros turicata. Spirochetes enter the tick midgut during a bloodmeal, and during the following weeks spirochetes disseminate throughout O. turicata. A population persists in the salivary glands allowing for rapid transmission to mammalian hosts during tick feeding. Little is known about the physiological environment within the salivary glands acini in which B. turicatae persists. In this study, we examined the salivary gland transcriptome of O. turicata ticks and detected the expression of fifty-seven genes involved in oxidant metabolism or antioxidant defenses. We confirmed the expression of five of the most highly expressed genes including glutathione peroxidase (gpx), thioredoxin peroxidase (tpx), manganese superoxide dismutase (sod-1), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (sod-2), and catalase (cat) by reverse-transcriptase droplet digital PCR (RT-ddPCR). We also found distinct differences in the expression of these genes when comparing the salivary glands and midguts of unfed O. turicata ticks.

Our results indicate that the salivary glands of unfed O. turicata nymphs are a highly oxidative environment where reactive oxygen species (ROS) predominate, while midgut tissues comprise a primarily nitrosative environment where nitric oxide synthase is highly expressed. Additionally, B. turicatae was found to be hyperresistant to ROS compared to the Lyme disease spirochete B. burgdorferi, suggesting that it is uniquely adapted to the highly oxidative environment of O. turicata salivary gland acini.

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**Comment**

Much can be learned about Borrelia turicatae by reading this case study:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/23/5/16-2069_article

We learn:

  • Ornithodoros turicata soft bodied ticks, are endemic to Texas and Florida
  • They are found in caves and ground squirrel or prairie dog burrows  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/04/23/tick-borne-relapsing-fever-found-in-austin-texas-caves/
  • Once infected, they remain infected for the rest of their lives, which can be up to ten years.
  • Attachment is painless
  • They are rapid night feeders (5-60min)
  • Due to their rapid feeding they are rarely found or leave lesions
  • Patient in study suffered with headache, nausea, & pain behind knees
  • Had numerous lesions which resolved after 6 days (without treatment)
  • Developed persistent fever
  • Developed thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
  • Developed elevated Erythrocyte sedimentation rate & C-reactive protein
  • Improved rapidly with doxycycline
  • Platelet count normalized within 2 weeks
  • Asymptomatic soldiers with similar exposure were treated prophylactically
  • TBRF is a neglected and probably underdiagnosed disease
  • Published cases in Texas have been supported by serology for the TBRF group, exposure location, and tick collections, but the authors state successful identification of B. turicatae in a human has not been reported
  • Military training groups in Israel have declared certain caves off limits because of heavy tick presence https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/10/27/israeli-kids-get-lyme-disease-from-ticks-in-caves/ and have prophylactically administered doxycycline to those suspected to have been exposed
  • Asymptomatic patients given doxy don’t have a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction but those with active illness do
Another study demonstrating the wily and adaptable nature of spirochetes.

 

 

 

 

Category:

Borrelia Miyamotoi (Relapsing Fever Group), research, Testing, Ticks, Transmission

Baggio-Yoshinari Brazil’s Lyme-Like Illness From Ticks That Shouldn’t Transmit it

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6218955/

. 2018; 73: e394.
Published online 2018 Nov 6. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2018/e394
PMCID: PMC6218955
PMID: 30462754

Passage of Borrelia burgdorferi through diverse Ixodid hard ticks causes distinct diseases: Lyme borreliosis and Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome

Carmen Silvia Molleis Galego Miziara,I,* Virginia Aparecida Gelmeti Serrano,I and Natalino YoshinariII
Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer

Abstract

Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome is an emerging, tick-borne, infectious disease recently discovered in Brazil. This syndrome is similar to Lyme disease, which is common in the United States of America, Europe and Asia; however, Brazilian borreliosis diverges from the disease observed in the Northern Hemisphere in its epidemiological, microbiological, laboratory and clinical characteristics. Polymerase chain reaction procedures showed that Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto spirochete. This bacterium has not yet been isolated or cultured in adequate culture media. In Brazil, this zoonosis is transmitted to humans through the bite of Amblyomma and Rhipicephalus genera ticks; these vectors do not belong to the usual Lyme disease transmitters, which are members of the Ixodes ricinus complex. The adaptation of Borrelia burgdorferi to Brazilian vectors and reservoirs probably originated from spirochetes with atypical morphologies (cysts or cell-wall-deficient bacteria) exhibiting genetic adjustments, such as gene suppression. These particularities could explain the protracted survival of these bacteria in hosts, beyond the induction of a weak immune response and the emergence of serious reactive symptoms. The aim of the present report is to note differences between Baggio-Yoshinari syndrome and Lyme disease, to help health professionals recognize this exotic and neglected zoonosis.

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**Comment**

This abstract shows a Bbss spirochete NOT YET isolated or cultured in adequate culture media, i.e., is invisible to current lab techniques.  Also, please note that the ticks mentioned are not TYPICALLY thought of as transmitting Lyme.

Two commonly touted myths busted to smithereens.

The plot thickens with the mere mention of ATYPICAL morphologies (cysts or cell wall deficient) bacteria as well as GENETIC ADJUSTMENTS WITH GENE SUPRESSION, and the ability of these bacteria to SURVIVE FOR A LONG TIME.  

To this day, the CDC/IDSA refuses to recognize the persistent nature and pleomorphism of Bb.

Researchers who talk about pleomorphism are almost always from outside the U.S.:  https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2017.00596/full  There’s only a handful of U.S. researchers taking on pleomorphism.  All the IDSA-authors (The Cabal) report about Lyme as if it were a mere nuisance, which it is not.

In short, we have a LYME-LIKE Illness that:

  • can’t be picked up with common lab techniques
  • coming from ticks that don’t normally transmit it
  • caused by a bacteria that shape-shifts
  • makes genetic adjustments to survive

Now add other potential pathogens to this stew and it’s quite clear why patients are so ill and why it takes far more than 21 days of the mono-therapy of doxycycline.

Please spread the word!

For More:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/10/30/study-shows-lyme-msids-patients-infected-with-many-pathogens-and-explains-why-we-are-so-sick/  This international group of researchers state that:

“Our findings recognize that microbial infections in patients suffering from TBDs do not follow the one microbe, one disease Germ Theory as 65% of the TBD patients produce immune responses to various microbes.”

They also point out that 83% of all commercial tests focus only on Lyme (borrelia), despite the fact we are infected with more than one microbe.

They too mention the pleomorphism of borrelia:

“In addition to tick-borne co-infections and non-tick-borne opportunistic infections, pleomorphic Borrelia persistent forms may induce distinct immune responses in patients by having different antigenic properties compared to typical spirochetes32,33,34,35. Nonetheless, current LD diagnostic tools do not include Borrelia persistent forms, tick-borne co-infections, and non-tick-borne opportunistic infections.”

It’s all right here in bright purple crayon.

 

 

Category:

Lyme, research, Testing, Ticks, Transmission

Ehrlichiosis Presenting as Severe Sepsis & Meningoencephalitis in an Immunocompetent Adult

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/30425837/

Ehrlichiosis presenting as severe sepsis and meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent adult.

Buzzard SL, et al. JMM Case Rep. 2018.

Abstract

Introduction: Ehrlichia are obligate intracellular pathogens transmitted to vertebrates by ticks.

Case presentation: We report the case of a 59-year-old man who presented to the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Medical Center (Lexington, KY, USA) after being found fallen down in the woods. A lumbar puncture revealed what appeared to be bacterial meningitis, yet cerebrospinal fluid cultures, Gram stains and a meningitis/encephalitis panel were inconclusive. However, an Ehrlichia DNA PCR of the blood resulted as being positive for Ehrlichia chaffeensis antibodies. The patient received a 14 day course of doxycycline, and recovered from his multiple organ failure. The aetiology of the ehrlichial meningoencephalitis was likely transmission through a tick-bite, due to the patient’s outdoor exposure.

Conclusion: While it is rare to see Ehrlichia as a cause of meningitis, this illness can progress to severe multisystem disease with septic shock, meningoencephalitis or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Those with compromised immunity are at a higher risk of developing the more severe form of the disease and have higher case fatality rates.

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**Comment**

Nothing about this monster is rare – it’s just not in the literature yet.  Again, researchers would be wise to remember that just because something isn’t found in the literature, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, particularly in a disease complex that testing misses half the cases and much goes unreported because it’s undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Notice this poor man was found flat on his face in the woods – that’s how serious this stuff can be.  Please notice his immune system was fine.

Meningeal involvement (brain swelling) is NOT rare.  Why would it be?  When these pathogens can cross the blood/brain barrier, it makes complete, logical sense that people would deal with swelling.  They deal with swelling in their elbows, knees, fingers, wrists, and about every other place in the body.  Dr. Phillips talks about Balanitus, a painful swelling of the foreskin, or head of the penis in males here:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/12/22/s-e-x-lyme-msids/

I had swelling in my head so great that I wondered if I’d ever go a day without excruciating headaches that honestly felt like I’d been kicked by a horse, but the pain was completely all over in the lining of my head (meningeal).  I had an MRI, which came back normal, but I’ve met numerous folks with a Lyme and Chiari diagnosis:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/04/02/chiari/

Warning – some with Lyme/MSIDS go through with the Chiari surgery but continue to have symptoms because until the pathogens are dealt with, symptoms will not resolve.  

Now, I’m just a crazy gray-hair, but doesn’t it seem quite logical to have swelling in the brain with Lyme/MSIDS?

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/12/02/everything-thats-known-about-ehrlichiosis/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/10/15/ehrlichiosis-masquerading-as-thrombotic-thrombocytopenia-purpura/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/10/02/north-carolina-ehrlichia-often-overlooked-when-tick-borne-illness-suspected/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/07/24/oklahoma-ehrlichiosis-central/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/11/11/gestational-lyme-other-tick-borne-diseases-dr-jones/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/03/09/dogs-ehrlichiosis/

Category:

Ehrlichiosis, Inflammation, research, Testing, Ticks, Treatment