Archive for the ‘Testing’ Category

3 Reasons Lyme/MSIDS Patients Remain Sick: Dormancy/Persisters, Biofilm, Co-Infection

https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-019-3495-7

Metamorphoses of Lyme disease spirochetes: phenomenon of Borrelia persisters

Parasites & Vectors volume 12, Article number: 237 (2019) Cite this article

Abstract

The survival of spirochetes from the Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) complex in a hostile environment is achieved by the regulation of differential gene expression in response to changes in temperature, salts, nutrient content, acidity fluctuation, multiple host or vector dependent factors, and leads to the formation of dormant subpopulations of cells. From the other side, alterations in the level of gene expression in response to antibiotic pressure leads to the establishment of a persisters subpopulation. Both subpopulations represent the cells in different physiological states. “Dormancy” and “persistence” do share some similarities, e.g. both represent cells with low metabolic activity that can exist for extended periods without replication, both constitute populations with different gene expression profiles and both differ significantly from replicating forms of spirochetes. Persisters are elusive, present in low numbers, morphologically heterogeneous, multi-drug-tolerant cells that can change with the environment. The definition of “persisters” substituted the originally-used term “survivors”, referring to the small bacterial population of Staphylococcus that survived killing by penicillin. The phenomenon of persisters is present in almost all bacterial species; however, the reasons why Borrelia persisters form are poorly understood. Persisters can adopt varying sizes and shapes, changing from well-known forms to altered morphologies. They are capable of forming round bodies, L-form bacteria, microcolonies or biofilms-like aggregates, which remarkably change the response of Borrelia to hostile environments. Persisters remain viable despite aggressive antibiotic challenge and are able to reversibly convert into motile forms in a favorable growth environment. Persisters are present in significant numbers in biofilms, which has led to the explanation of biofilm tolerance to antibiotics. Considering that biofilms are associated with numerous chronic diseases through their resilient presence in the human body, it is not surprising that interest in persisting cells has consequently accelerated. Certain diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria (e.g. tuberculosis, syphilis or leprosy) are commonly chronic in nature and often recur despite antibiotic treatment. Three decades of basic and clinical research have not yet provided a definite answer to the question: is there a connection between persisting spirochetes and recurrence of Lyme disease in patients?

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6287027/

The Emerging Role of Microbial Biofilm in Lyme Neuroborreliosis

Enea Gino Di Domenico,1,* Ilaria Cavallo,1 Valentina Bordignon,1 Giovanna D’Agosto,1 Martina Pontone,1 Elisabetta Trento,1 Maria Teresa Gallo,1 Grazia Prignano,1 Fulvia Pimpinelli,1 Luigi Toma,2 and Fabrizio Ensoli1
Author information Article notes Copyright and License information Disclaimer
 

Abstract

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi in North America and Borrelia afzelii or Borrelia garinii in Europe and Asia, respectively. The infection affects multiple organ systems, including the skin, joints, and the nervous system. Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is the most dangerous manifestation of Lyme disease, occurring in 10–15% of infected individuals. During the course of the infection, bacteria migrate through the host tissues altering the coagulation and fibrinolysis pathways and the immune response, reaching the central nervous system (CNS) within 2 weeks after the bite of an infected tick. The early treatment with oral antimicrobials is effective in the majority of patients with LNB. Nevertheless, persistent forms of LNB are relatively common, despite targeted antibiotic therapy. It has been observed that the antibiotic resistance and the reoccurrence of Lyme disease are associated with biofilm-like aggregates in B. burgdorferi, B. afzelii, and B. garinii, both in vitro and in vivo, allowing Borrelia spp. to resist to adverse environmental conditions. Indeed, the increased tolerance to antibiotics described in the persisting forms of Borrelia spp., is strongly reminiscent of biofilm growing bacteria, suggesting a possible role of biofilm aggregates in the development of the different manifestations of Lyme disease including LNB.

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https://www.fortunejournals.com/articles/serological-and-pcr-evidence-of-infection-in-105-patients-with-sppt.html

Serological and PCR evidence of Infection in 105 Patients with SPPT

Alexis Lacout1*, Marie Mas4, Michel Franck2, Véronique Perronne3, Julie Pajaud2, Pierre Yves Marcy5, Christian Perronne3

*Corresponding Author: Alexis Lacout, Centre de diagnostic ELSAN, Centre Médico–Chirurgical, 83 avenue Charles de Gaulle, 15000, Aurillac, France

Received: 11 December 2020; Accepted: 22 December 2020; Published: 05 January 2021

Citation: Alexis Lacout, Marie Mas, Michel Franck, Véronique Perronne, Julie Pajaud, Pierre Yves Marcy, Christian Perronne. Serological and PCR evidence of Infection in 105 Patients with SPPT. Archives of Microbiology & Immunology 5 (2021): 139-150.

Abstract

Introduction: The main aim of this study is to determine the nature of the exposure of patients presenting with polymorphic signs and symptoms to the parasite Babesia, through the study of serology. The secondary aim is to report the different serological or PCR results observed in these patients.

Material and methods: The following serologies were performed in all patients looking for: Babesia divergens, Borrelia, Bartonella, Coxiella burnetii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The following PCRs were performed looking for: Borrelia spp, Babesia spp, Bartonella (Bartonella spp, B. quintana, B. Henselae,) Coxiella spp, Anaplasma spp, Ehrlichia spp, Rickettsia spp, most often on several matrices (venous blood, capillary blood, urine and saliva).

Results: In this study, 105 patients were included, 62 females and 43 males, sex ratio F/M was 62/43 = 1.44; mean age was 45.5 year old (range; 5 years, 79 years old).

  • Of the 105 serologies for B. divergens, 41% were found to be positive.
  • Of the 104 serologies for Borrelia, 19.2% were found to be positive.
  • Of the 95 serologies for Anaplasma, 27.3% were found to be positive.

Borrelia spp, Babesia spp, Bartonella spp, Coxiella spp, Anaplasma spp, Ehrlichia spp, Rickettsia spp were found by using rtPCR.

Conclusion: Our study has shown that patients with SPPT/PTLDS, a syndrome close to fibromyalgia, could harbor several tick borne microorganisms. Microbiologic analyses should thus not be merely limited to Borrelia’s research alone.

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**Comment**

These relatively recent studies (within the past few years) reveal what Lyme literate doctors and their patients have been experiencing from the beginning.  They also reaffirm what many independent researchers have globally been writing about for years.  There are many other reasons patients remain ill as well but these three are biggies.

Yet, reality is best summed up by the following quote from the first study listed above:

Three decades of basic and clinical research have not yet provided a definite answer to the question: is there a connection between persisting spirochetes and recurrence of Lyme disease in patients?

Isn’t that sad?

The same, of course, can be said of biofilm and coinfections as well. Decades have gone by with no definitive answers because The Cabal doesn’t want the truth to be known. Why? Quite simple: a chronic, relapsing illness doesn’t fit their “vaccine” narrative which is the favored golden calf and cash cow of research institutions and our government, which have a cozy relationship with Big Pharma and Big Media.  This is quite convenient for all of them as they control all the messaging as well as threaten, censor, and ban doctors who dissent.

This has been blatantly exposed during the time of COVID but is nothing new.  Lymeland has been riddled with the exact same issues for 40 years.  Unfortunately, even well-meaning advocates and patients evidently can not see this and continue to demand more money and become giddy when they get it from the very agencies behind this debacle, who are incidentally profiting from it.

It’s a hot-mess for sure, but one thing is certain: we must stop playing into their hands by being ignorant or filled with “hopium,” a term I use to describe how hope can become a drug that stops you from thinking critically, logically, and honestly.

For more:

Category:

Anaplasmosis, Babesia, Bartonella, Biofilm, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme, research, Rickettsia, Testing

Lyme Disease Videos From Leading LLMDs

https://www.lymedisease.org/members/resources/resources-lyme-disease-videos/

Preview of Member Videos from Leading Lyme Literate Physicians

Full videos available to members on the account page. You must be logged in to view.
Videos cover:
  • Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Using Integrative Medicine for Lyme
  • Treatment Protocols
  • Basic Lyme for Patients, Family, and Friends

Category:

Activism, Lyme, Testing, Treatment

Lyme Disease & Herxheimer Reaction in Newborn

https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-disease-herxheimer-reaction-newborn/

LYME DISEASE AND HERXHEIMER REACTION IN NEWBORN

Newborn with lyme disease and herxheimer reaction being examined by doctor.

The Herxheimer reaction, also referred to as a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, is “a transient clinical phenomenon that occurs in patients infected by spirochetes who undergo antibiotic treatment.”¹ It was first described in patients with syphilis but has also been associated with other spirochetal infections including leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and relapsing fever. The reaction is associated with the onset of new symptoms or a worsening of existing symptoms in patients receiving antibiotic treatment.

By 

In 2020, investigators published a case involving a 13-year-old boy with Lyme arthritis, a common manifestation of Lyme disease, who developed a Herxheimer reaction when treated with doxycycline. On the 7th day of treatment, the boy developed a low-grade fever and severe arthralgias with intense hip, ankle and cervical spine pain and myalgias.

You can read more about the 13-year-old boy’s case in an earlier blog “Herxheimer reaction in a 13-year-old boy with Lyme disease.” 

Newborn with herxheimer reaction

In their article “Lyme disease in a neonate complicated by the Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction,” Prodanuk and colleagues² describe the case of a 21-day-old infant who was admitted to the hospital with decreased activity, poor feeding and abdominal distension.

The parents removed an engorged tick from the infant’s forearm 5 days earlier. An EM rash was present at the site of the tick bite.

“Given the erythema migrans lesion at the site from which the engorged tick was removed, we made a presumptive diagnosis of Lyme disease and administered IV ceftriaxone,” the authors write.

Two hours after treatment began, the infant developed a fever, tachycardia and other symptoms consistent with the Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction.

Testing for Lyme disease was negative.

Clinicians should also “be aware of the possibility of the Jarisch–Herxheimer reaction during the initial phase of treatment.”²

Several studies, they warn, indicate “newborns with findings consistent with early localized disease may also be at higher risk for disseminated disease.”

“Given the limited data for neonates and the possible predisposition of this population to disseminated Lyme disease, clinicians should strongly consider administering IV antibiotics to target Lyme disease,” the authors suggest.

Patients can experience a broad range of symptoms resulting from a herxheimer reaction, explains Nykytyuk and colleagues, including fever, severe polyarthralgias, myalgias, chills, hypotension, nonpruritic, nonpalpable rash, tachycardia, nausea, headache, strengthening of existing or occurrence of new symptoms of the underlying disease.¹

The exact cause of Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions is still unknown. “At first, the role of an endotoxin in the development of JHR was suggested, but later experimental studies showed that spirochetes do not have biologically active endotoxins,” the authors explained.¹

Related Articles:

What does a Lyme disease flare-up feel like?
Herxheimer reaction in a 13-year-old boy with Lyme disease
Lyme disease causes a mix of symptoms including autonomic dysfunction

References:
  1. Dhakal A, Sbar E. Jarisch Herxheimer Reaction. [Updated 2022 Apr 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557820/
  2. Prodanuk M, Groves H, Arje D, Bitnun A. Lyme disease in a neonate complicated by the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction. CMAJ. 2022 Jul 18;194(27):E939-E941. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.220112. PMID: 35851530; PMCID: PMC9299745.

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**Comment**

This infant won the lotto by having astute parents, a noticable tick bite, and EM rash.  Many are not so fortunate to have these clear signs.  Many also test negative.  Without the signs and positive test, many are misdiagnosed and miss this opportunity for early treatment which is imperative.

For more:

Category:

Inflammation, Lyme, research, Testing, Ticks, Treatment

Ischemic Stroke With Hemorrhagic Conversion in a Case of Lyme Neuroborreliosis

https://www.cureus.com/articles/97069-ischemic-stroke-with-hemorrhagic-conversion-in-a-case-of-lyme-neuroborreliosis

Ischemic Stroke With Hemorrhagic Conversion in a Case of Lyme Neuroborreliosis

Srinandan Sathi, Daniel Kim, Patrick Duplan, Paul Kim, Carl Shenkamn

Published: August 15, 2022 (see history)

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28028

Cite this article as: Sathi S, Kim D, Duplan P, et al. (August 15, 2022) Ischemic Stroke With Hemorrhagic Conversion in a Case of Lyme Neuroborreliosis. Cureus 14(8): e28028. doi:10.7759/cureus.28028

Abstract

Lyme disease is an infectious tick-borne illness predominant in northeastern and midwestern United States. The clinical presentation varies significantly and only a few cases develop Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), which makes diagnosis difficult. A 59-year-old male visiting from Michigan presented to a hospital in Florida with an ischemic stroke with aphasia and acute confusion for two days. He had imaging that noted a subacute infarct in the left parietal lobe along with multiple areas of white matter signal abnormalities and CSF serology positive for Borrelia burgdorferi IgM and IgG antibodies. The patient was placed on ceftriaxone for 30 days and showed significant clinical improvement. We present a case of ischemic stroke with hemorrhagic conversion and an incidental finding of LNB.

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**Comment**

There is no way on earth that only a few cases develop Lyme neuroborrliosis.  This statement shows the researcher’s complete disconnect from reality.

Testing is so abysmal, thousands fall through the diagnostic crack.  Then, if they manage to win the lottery and test positive, they are told it’s a “false positive,” and to “go home and be well.”

This patient in fact did win the lottery and managed to get diagnosed in Florida, which like all Southern states has had to fight tooth and nail to get public health to even recognize it.  And that probably wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for infected researcher, Kerry Clark, who is finding Southern borrelia strains that will never be picked up in a million years using current CDC two-tier testing.  He also showed DNA of Bbsl in Lone Star ticks which might be a bridge vector of transmission to humans, but is still considered by ‘the powers that be’ to not transmit Lyme disease.  Instead, infected Southerners have been told they have STARI, a disease that looks, acts, and smells just like Lyme.

This patient, despite showing significant improvement, requires follow-up which will never happen.  If and when symptoms reappear he will simply be told it’s all “in his head.”

Category:

Lyme, Psychological Aspects, research, Testing, Treatment

Spotting the Target: Clinical Clues in the Diagnosis of Disseminated Lyme Disease in Pregnancy

https://www.ajog.org/article/S0002-9378(22)00203-4/fulltext

Spotting the target: clinical clues in the diagnosis of disseminated Lyme disease in pregnancy

Published:March 18, 2022 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2022.03.03

A 33-year-old G2P1 woman at 33 weeks’ gestation presented with 10 days of bifrontal headache despite treatment with sertraline, butalbital-acetaminophen-caffeine, and prochlorperazine and 2 days of pruritic body rash (Figure 1).

Blood pressure and urine protein: creatinine ratio were within normal limits, but she had mild transaminitis. Her rash was originally thought to be caused by a drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction, however, in addition to a generalized morbilliform eruption, a physical examination revealed a large annular erythematous patch with a dusky center on the left popliteal fossa (Figure 2)  and similar smaller annular lesions on the buttocks and legs (Figures 3 and 4).

The findings of large and multiple erythema migrans lesions and associated headache prompted a high suspicion for disseminated Lyme disease with neurologic involvement. Serum tests for Lyme disease, including whole-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot (for immunoglobulins M and G), were positive. A lumbar puncture revealed elevated red blood cells and nucleated cells in the cerebrospinal fluid consistent with neurologic involvement of Lyme disease. The patient recovered with intravenous ceftriaxone for 2 weeks for disseminated Lyme disease. She delivered a healthy baby boy at 40 weeks’ gestation.

(See link for article)

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**Comment**

Unfortunately many do not remain “recovered” after only 2 weeks of antibiotics.  This woman and her baby need to be watched over time.  If mysterious, migrating symptoms continue – they need retreatment.

This is a perfect example of a glaring problem with Lyme/MSIDS.  Mainstream medicine treats it as they do other infections when this is a relapsing illness that is stealthy, embeds itself in the human body, (making it hard for treatments to reach it) is often polymicrobial (numerous pathogens that require different medications), is pleomorphic (changes forms) so the body can’t recognize it as a “bad guy,” and is often relapsing (reappears) at a later date due to stress when the body is in a weakened state.

Please read a few articles to understand these issues better:

For more on Lyme/MSIDS in pregnancy:

Category:

Lyme, Pregnancy, research, Testing, Treatment