Archive for the ‘Testing’ Category

Brazil Faces Same Problems With Lyme Disease As Seen in the USA

http://cameronmd.com/brazil-faces-problems-lyme-disease-seen-usa/

Brazil faces same problems with Lyme disease as seen in the USA

An article published in the Brazilian Journal of Microbiology entitled “Brazilian borreliosis with special emphasis on humans and horses” examines the growing number of cases in Brazil of Lyme disease, referred to, in that country, as the Lyme-like or Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome (BYS).

By 

The authors take an in-depth look at BYS and how it compares to Lyme disease (LD) found in the United States. Although there are slight differences between the diseases, BYS and LD share similarities on many fronts. [1] “Despite the increasing number of suspect cases, this disease [BYS] is still neglected in Brazil by the medical and veterinary communities,” writes Basile and colleagues.

BYS causes some of the same symptoms seen in Lyme disease, such as erythema migrans, arthritis, neurological symptoms and cardiac disease. Both are difficult to diagnose.

“The disease is often unrecognized, especially at secondary or tertiary stages when patients do not remember what occurred months or years before the current disease,” stated Basile. “Certainly, many cases of unrecognized chronic neurological or articular disease are in fact cases of BYS not identified and treated at early stage.”

The capybaras, a popular Brazilian house pet, is a known reservoir for ticks infected with the Lyme-like or Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome (BYS).

The Brazilian disease can also be multisystemic. “Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome has been reported to cause neurological, cardiac, ophthalmic, muscle, and joint alterations in humans.” Furthermore, it has been associated with a high morbidity “due to the presence of symptom recurrence, severe reactive manifestations such as autoimmunity, and the need for prolonged treatment.”

According to Basile and colleagues, the disease progresses with recurrences, “especially if antibiotic treatment is initiated later than three months after infection.” Thus, treating the disease in its early stages is critical.

Cystic forms have been described, as well. “Because motile and spiral spirochetes were never isolated or cultured in Brazil, researchers from LIM-17 assumed that the etiological agent in Brazil was present in cystic form.”

The Brazilian patients may also be suffering from co-infections, as investigators identified other microrganisms in the blood of BYS patients. Tests showed “the occurrence of microorganisms with morphological structures similar to Mycoplasma spp., Chlamydia spp., and non-flagellated spirochetes in the peripheral blood of patients with BYS who were seropositive for B. burgdorferi sensu lato,” according to Basile. “Those patients exhibited negative serology for Mycoplasma spp. and Chlamydia spp.”

Additionally, laboratory testing for BYS is unreliable. There is a low sensitivity and specificity with the ELISA, enzyme immunosorbent assay, or western blotting for B. burgdorferi, in part because these tests utilize antigens from B. burgdorferi stricto sensu from the Northern Hemisphere.

Domestic pets have been described as potential reservoirs for ticks carrying the disease. The capybaras, a large rodent and popular house pet in Brazil, has been identified as a likely reservoir and is thus a threat in spreading the disease.

Wild and domestic animals can be infected. “Studies indicate that LB [Lyme borreliosis] in horses has clinical signs similar to the disease in humans, including fever and lethargy, arthritis, polysynovitis, lameness, muscle stiffness, abortion, meningitis, cranial neuritis, radiculoneuritis and encephalitis, uveitis, and premature death of foals,” according to Basile.

The authors’ findings reminds us that the challenges faced in the United States in gaining recognition for a disease that is growing in numbers and has the potential to cause chronic, debilitating illness is not unique to our country. The Brazilian patients suffering from the Lyme-like or Baggio-Yoshinari Syndrome are struggling to conquer the same obstacles.

“Lyme disease is a condition of extreme importance because it is a zoonosis that causes physical and psychological sequelae in affected individuals. It remains poorly investigated in Brazil, especially in the field of veterinary medicine. Therefore, studies describing the unique aspects of the disease in Brazil and the etiological agents found are needed.”

References:

  1. Basile, R.C., et al., Brazilian borreliosis with special emphasis on humans and horses. Braz J Microbiol, 2016.

Update: Oliveira from the Ministry of Health, Brasilia, DF, Brazil was not able confirm Lyme-like borreliosis in Brazil in a letter in the journal Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease.1 “The interpretations of the results have not followed those recommended by the CDC.” writes Oliveira. Only three cases of Lyme-like borreliosis were identified. “This evidence reinforces the hypothesis that Lyme borreliosis does not occur in Brazil.” writes Oliveira.

  1. de Oliveira SV, Faccini-Martinez AA, Cerutti Junior C. Lack of serological evidence for Lyme-like borreliosis in Brazil. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2018.

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**Comment**

Another perfect example of why the CDC must go.

This corrupt, inept organization rules the world.

Category:

Activism, Lyme, research, Testing, Ticks, Transmission

23andMe Reportedly Faces Bankruptcy – What Will Happen to Everyone’s DNA Samples?

https://activistpost.com/2024/10/23andme-reportedly-faces-bankruptcy-what-will-happen-to-everyones-dna-samples.

23andMe Reportedly Faces Bankruptcy — What Will Happen to Everyone’s DNA Samples?

October 21, 2024

By Megan Prictor, The University of Melbourne

Since it was founded nearly two decades ago, 23andMe has grown into one of the largest biotechnology companies in the world. Millions of people have used its simple genetic testing service, which involves ordering a saliva test, spitting into a tube, and sending it back to the company for a detailed DNA analysis.

But now the company is on the brink of bankruptcy. This has raised concerns about what will happen to the troves of genetic data it has in its possession.

The company’s chief executive, Anne Wojcicki, has said she is committed to customer privacy and will “maintain our current privacy policy”.

But what can customers of 23andMe themselves do to make sure their highly personal genetic data is protected? And should we be concerned about other companies that also collect our DNA?

What happened to 23andMe?

23andMe has had a rapid downfall after the 2021 high of its public listing.

Its value has dropped more than 97%. In 2023 it suffered a major data breach affecting almost seven million users, and settled a class action lawsuit for US$30 million.

Last month its seven independent directors resigned amid news the original founder is planning to take the company private once more. The company has never made a profit and is reportedly on the verge of bankruptcy.

What this might mean for its vast stores of genetic data is unclear.  (See link for article)

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**Comment**

Many Lyme/MSIDS patients have had this genetic testing done, often to determine if they have a problem detoxing due to genetics.

The article advises:

The simplest thing is to delete your account, which opts you out of any future research and discards your saliva sample. But if your data has already been de-identified and used in research, it can’t be retrieved. And even if you delete your account, 23andMe says it will keep hold of information including your genetic data, date of birth and sex, to comply with its own legal obligations.

For more:

Category:

Activism, research, Testing, Uncategorized

Lyme Testing Update, Alpha Gal Syndrome, and More Podcast

http://

Lyme Disease Testing Update, Alpha Gal Syndrome, and More With Global Lyme Alliance Leaders

Sept. 9, 2024

Fred Diamond’s popular book, “Love, Hope, Lyme: What Family Members, Partners, and Friends Who Love a Chronic Lyme Survivor Need to Know” offers those who love someone with persistent or chronic Lyme disease ideas and tips to support this beloved person. It also helps Lyme survivors know how to ask for support.  The e-version of Fred’s book is always free for Lyme survivors. Just reach out to Fred on Facebook or LinkedIn. The print copy can be ordered at https://www.amazon.com/Love-Hope-Lyme….

On today’s episode, we discuss Alpha Gal Syndrome, a tick-borne disease that caused red meat allergies, Lyme testing updates, and new treatments in the works. His guest is Global Lyme Alliance CEO Laura MacNeill and then GLA Chief Scientific Officer Tim Sellati. They discuss the work GLA is doing to develop better diagnostics, tests and treatment for tick-borne diseases including Lyme and the coinfections Bartonella and Babesiosis.

They discussed work they are funding with Dr. Brandon Jutras at Northwestern University and other research projects in the Lyme and chronic illness world. When Fred was doing the research for his popular book “Love, Hope, Lyme: What Family Members, Partners, and Friends Who Love a Chronic Lyme Survivor Need to Know,” he was ignorant about the work happening at universities to find better diagnostics, treatment, and mental health solutions for the millions of chronic Lyme disease survivors around the globe. If someone you love has been afflicted with Lyme disease, watch this podcast now.

If you have Lyme disease, listen for ways to get the support you need.

Category:

Activism, Alpha Gal Meat Allergy, Lyme, Testing

Pathogens & Persistence: Chronic Disease Drivers

http://

Pathogens & Persistence: The Chronic Disease Drivers

Oct. 6, 2024

Ticktective™ Episode 43 (Oct 6, 2024):

Steven E. Phillips, MD, is a Yale-trained expert on zoonotic infections and coauthor of the book CHRONIC. He specializes in treating medicine’s most complex cases, which include Lyme & other vector-borne diseases and Long COVID. Additionally, he has served as an expert for the states of CT, NY, RI, and VT, providing testimony during their respective public hearings, which resulted in changes to existing healthcare laws. Dr. Phillips has been a longstanding public face of the Lyme pandemic. He is currently spearheading a drug development effort to bring the public a durable, effective treatment for some of these infections, which will hopefully change how we treat a range of rheumatologic and neurologic illnesses. Dr. Phillips also sits on the Bay Area Lyme Foundation’s scientific advisory board.

For more:

Category:

Babesia, Bartonella, Lyme, mosquitoes, Testing, Ticks

Another MSM Hit Piece – Lyme Disease: The ‘Yuppie Virus’ With Dangerous False Diagnoses

https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/lyme-disease-symptoms-serena-williams-alexis-ohainan-dltvc9pcb

Lyme disease: the ‘yuppie virus’ with dangerous false diagnoses

Half a million Americans say they have it — but a slew of celebrity cases is prompting a post-Covid rethink
Bevan Hurley

New York
The Times

Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and husband of the tennis star Serena Williams, was perplexed.

He was showing no symptoms of Lyme disease, and had not spent much time in the wilderness or northeastern US states where the ticks that carry it are most prevalent. And yet, after a “full battery of health scans”, his doctor had told him that he was infected.

Ohanian, 41, who lives in Florida with Williams and their two children, revealed the diagnosis to his 560,000 followers on Twitter/X last month, saying it had taken him by surprise. He was careful to ensure that his personal experience would not be taken as medical advice. “Please talk to a doctor,” he said.  (See link for article)

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**Comment**

First off the bat, let’s be clear: MSM hasn’t done any thinking revolving anything about COVID.

Second – if you understand ‘controllers,’ you know that intervention is eventually needed when enough people start questioning the narrative.  Since people are talking about the fact there is an estimated 500,000 NEW cases of Lyme/MSIDS per year, it’s time for the spin-doctors to get busy.  Too many are questioning things.  Too many are asking to be tested.  Too many are getting fed up with doctors who gas-light them instead of helping them.

Enter MSM – a monolithic entity paid by Big Pharma which will do anything to protect its vested interests, including lie or distort facts.

Once you’ve seen it often enough you become aware of the thinly veiled journalism designed to make you doubt what you see with your own eyes, hear with your own ears, and even personally experience.

The article starts out by regurgitating well known disputed Lyme dogma:

  • can cause fever, chills, headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches
  • between 5-10% descend into PTLDS and get arthritis, chronic pain, heart palpitations, and brain inflammation

Let’s stop here and state emphatically that Lyme/MSIDS can and does kill people.  Let’s also state emphatically that this complex illness can destroy your life, income, family, and all you hold dear.

OK, now that we got that out of the way…..the article then states that ‘celebrity tell-alls and rampant pseudoscience’ is fueling misdiagnoses.

What about the thousands upon thousands that have been misdiagnosed for decades with virtually everything under the sun when they were infected with Lyme/MSIDS and immediate treatment could have made a real or THE difference?

The usual perps are presented for this angle: mainly representation from the American Lyme Disease Foundation (ALDF), who are known Lyme denialists.  This representative states practitioners are ‘unqualified’ because they have no infectious disease experience and are ‘cashing in’ by selling unreliable blood testing products and treatment.

This refrain is as old as time and is shear propaganda by controllers who want you to believe that only the government can protect consumers by monopolizing testing and treatment.  Well, they have done just that for over 40 years.  Let me ask you, ‘how’s that going?’  Nowhere, that’s where.

Particularly attacked were vitamin supplements and ozone therapy – two of the safest, most effective general treatments that help virtually everything!  But since the FDA can’t do any under the table deals with Big Pharma and make money off them, they are verboten!   

The article also hones in on ‘false positives,’ with Lyme but doesn’t utter a peep over the vast false positives with COVID, along with counting all deaths as COVID, that were purposely used to create a the illusion of vast cases and deaths.

Current Lyme testing is so flawed that a statistical analysis by Cook and Puri found that the LD two-tiered testing resulted in 500 times more false-negative outcomes than similar two-tiered tests used in the diagnosis of AIDS.  

The article also pushes the highly politicized climate change agenda when there is great controversy on many issues within this highly controlled paradigm, and independent research has shown it has nothing to do with tick proliferation or transmission.

While the article is at least honest enough to recognize that countries with nationalized health care struggle even more because there’s ‘there’s no system for them to go outside of,’ and that at least in the U.S. you can still find a doctor who is independent and can think for himself/herself.  But, how long will this last?

According to the author, the oft repeated belief that more funding to the same institutions that have denied Lyme/MSIDS from the get-go is somehow the answer, despite all evidence to the contrary.

Article grade: D

Category:

Activism, Lyme, Testing, Treatment