Archive for the ‘Toxoplasmosis’ Category

Seroprevalence of Borrelia, Anaplasma, Bartonella, Toxoplasma, Mycoplasma, Yersinia, and Chlamydia in Human Population From Eastern Poland

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/1/96

Seroprevalence of Borrelia, Anaplasma, Bartonella,  Toxoplasma, Mycoplasma, Yersinia, and Chlamydia in Human Population from Eastern Poland

by Angelina Wójcik-Fatla 1, Anna Sawczyn-Domańska 1,*, Anna Kloc 1,Joanna Krzowska-Firych 2 and Jacek Sroka 1,3

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Pathogens 2025, 14(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14010096

Submission received: 3 December 2024 / Revised: 15 January 2025 / Accepted: 16 January 2025 / Published: 18 January 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Biodiversity of Parasites in Humans, Wild and Domestic Animals)

Abstract

The epidemiological situation related to infectious diseases is influenced by many factors. To monitor actual trends in selected zoonoses, a total of 473 serum samples from farmers, forestry workers, and veterinarians were collected for serological examination. Anti-Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) antibodies were tested with ELISA and Western blot (WB) tests; the detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was performed using an enzyme linked fluorescence assay (ELFA). Antibodies to bartonellosis, anaplasmosis, and chlamydiosis were determined by indirect immunofluorescent test (IFA), whereas antibodies to yersiniosis and mycoplasmosis were confirmed in the ELISA test.

Positive or borderline results of antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. in the ELISA test were detected in 33.8% of the study population. The borderline or positive ELISA test results for at least one antibody class were confirmed by WB in 58.7% of cases. The IgG antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Toxoplasma gondii, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae were detected in 9.6%, 51.7%, and 63.6% of samples, respectively. Antibodies against Yersinia spp., Bartonella henselae, and Chlamydia pneumoniae were found to vary between 43 and 47%.

Category:

Anaplasmosis, Bartonella, Lyme, Mycoplasma, research, Testing, Toxoplasmosis

Microbes & Mental Illness: Past, Present, and Future

https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/12/1/83

Microbes and Mental Illness: Past, Present, and Future

by Robert C. Bransfield1,2,*, Charlotte Mao3 and Rosalie Greenberg4
 
1Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
2Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutey, NJ 07110, USA
3Invisible International, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
4Medical Arts Psychotherapy Associates P.A., Summit, NJ 07901, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Healthcare 2024, 12(1), 83; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12010083
Submission received: 31 October 2023 / Revised: 30 November 2023 / Accepted: 6 December 2023 / Published: 29 December 2023

Abstract

A review of the association between microbes and mental illness is performed, including the history, relevant definitions, infectious agents associated with mental illnesses, complex interactive infections, total load theory, pathophysiology, psychoimmunology, psychoneuroimmunology, clinical presentations, early-life infections, clinical assessment, and treatment. Perspectives on the etiology of mental illness have evolved from demonic possession toward multisystem biologically based models that include gene expression, environmental triggers, immune mediators, and infectious diseases. Microbes are associated with a number of mental disorders, including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders, as well as suicidality and aggressive or violent behaviors. Specific microbes that have been associated or potentially associated with at least one of these conditions include Aspergillus, Babesia, Bartonella, Borna disease virus, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Candida, Chlamydia, coronaviruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), Cryptococcus neoformans, cytomegalovirus, enteroviruses, Epstein–Barr virus, hepatitis C, herpes simplex virus, human endogenous retroviruses, human immunodeficiency virus, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, influenza viruses, measles virus, Mycoplasma, Plasmodium, rubella virus, Group A Streptococcus (PANDAS), Taenia solium, Toxoplasma gondii, Treponema pallidum (syphilis), Trypanosoma, and West Nile virus.
 
Recognition of the microbe and mental illness association with the development of greater interdisciplinary research, education, and treatment options may prevent and reduce mental illness morbidity, disability, and mortality.
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Category:

Babesia, Bartonella, Lyme, Mycoplasma, research, Syphilis, Toxoplasmosis

Antibiotics vs Herbs: One Doc’s Experience

https://www.treatlyme.net/guide/recovery-crystal-ball-of-odds-and-timelines

In my free Lyme Q&A Webinar called Conversations with Marty Ross MD, people ask me questions related to recovery. Here are some of those questions.

  • Do herbal antibiotics work?
  • Do prescription antibiotics work better than herbal antibiotics?
  • How long will it take me to recover from Bartonella, or Babesia, or Borrelia?
  • Can I recover from chronic Bartonella, Babesia or Borrelia?

Video Article

In the video in the top link, I answer these questions based on my extensive twenty year clinical experience treating persistent tick-borne infections like Lyme, Bartonella, and Babesia using the best herbal and prescription antibiotic approaches. What I discuss is based on my experience. Unfortunately the research answering these questions is very limited or even non-existent.  (See link for article and video)

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**Comment**

Please remember, this is simply ONE practitioner’s experience.

Dr. Horowitz recommends treating Babesia for 9 months to a year.  I agree with this and it was our experience.

Regarding Lyme disease, I believe it has more to do with how long you have had it as well as how many other coinfections and comorbidities you have.  The more coinfections and comorbidites – the longer it’s probably going to take – particularly the older you are.  Mold, MCAS, allergies, etc. all play a large role in this a – and are as important as the infection(s).  

For reference, it took FIVE years of treatment followed by 3-4 relapses necessitating treatment before we reached ‘remission.’  Maintaining  the immune system is imperative and that means balancing hormones as well as minerals, vitamins, etc.  I guarantee you WILL NOT get better if you live in a moldy environment or do not deal with these other factors.  

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Category:

Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichiosis, Herbs, Lyme, Mycoplasma, Parasite Treatment, Rickettsia, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tickborne Relapsing Fever, Toxoplasmosis, Treatment, Tularemia

Relocated Cats & Disseminated Vector-Borne & Other Pathogens of Potential Relevance

https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-022-05553-8

Vector-borne and other pathogens of potential relevance disseminated by relocated cats

Parasites & Vectors volume 15, Article number: 415 (2022) Cite this article

Abstract

Large populations of unowned cats constitute an animal welfare, ecological, societal and public health issue worldwide. Their relocation and homing are currently carried out in many parts of the world with the intention of relieving suffering and social problems, while contributing to ethical and humane population control in these cat populations. An understanding of an individual cat’s lifestyle and disease status by veterinary team professionals and those working with cat charities can help to prevent severe cat stress and the spread of feline pathogens, especially vector-borne pathogens, which can be overlooked in cats. In this article, we discuss the issue of relocation and homing of unowned cats from a global perspective. We also review zoonotic and non-zoonotic infectious agents of cats and give a list of practical recommendations for veterinary team professionals dealing with homing cats. Finally, we present a consensus statement consolidated at the 15th Symposium of the Companion Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBD) World Forum in 2020, ultimately to help veterinary team professionals understand the problem and the role they have in helping to prevent and manage vector-borne and other pathogens in relocated cats.  (See link for article)

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Category:

Activism, Bartonella, research, Toxoplasmosis, Transmission

‘Mind-Control’ Parasite Toxoplasma Hides From the Immune System With 2 Key Genes

https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/mind-control-parasite-toxoplasma-hides-from-the-immune-system-with-two-key-genes

‘Mind-control’ parasite Toxoplasma hides from the immune system with 2 key genes

By Kamal Nahas

April 25, 2023

A single-cell parasite relies on two genes that boost each other’s activity to switch into “defense mode” when attacked by the immune system.
A new study could help scientists find a cure to lifelong infections caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii.  

The parasite Toxoplasma gondii hides in up to half of humans, although it rarely causes symptoms. But when it infects mice, the single-cell organism can exert a kind of “mind control” to change the rodents’ behavior and help itself spread.

Now, researchers report being one step closer to curing T. gondii infections in humans, which can be lifelong due to the parasite’s ability to morph into a dormant, defensive state. Two transcription factors — proteins that switch genes “on” and “off” — lie at the root of this metamorphosis, and the discovery opens avenues to block the process.

Often dubbed the “mind-control parasite,” T. gondii takes over the minds of infected mice and steers them towards cats to become their next meal. This enables the parasites to jump into our feline friends, the only known hosts in which they can reproduce sexually.

Scientists remain unsure whether the parasite can similarly control the human brain; some studies suggest it could contribute to aggression, impulsive behavior and schizophrenia, while other studies dispute these effects. Most people carrying T. gondii don’t develop any symptoms, but more rarely, the infection can trigger mild, flu-like symptoms or even severe illness. Developing fetuses, newborns, and people with weak immune systems are most vulnerable to severe toxoplasmosis, which can damage the eyes and brain and sometimes be fatal.  (See link for article)

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SUMMARY:

  • Similarly to Lyme, T. gondii burrows into tissues and morphs into a different form when it’s threatened making it hard to find.  Also, similar to Lyme, current therapies do not cure the infection because the chronic stages are resistant.
  • Researchers have previously discovered a protein that is essential for morphing.
  • Now, a new study in Nature Microbiology, found another transcription factor that regulates morphing.
  • By deleting this gene, mice that had 100 copies of T. gondii injected into them did not appear to develop cysts in their brains 45 days later.

The team determined that T. gondii cells maintain a supply of this mRNA, but they can only make the BFD1 protein when BFD2 binds to the mRNA and thus triggers protein synthesis. This binding only happens when the cell is under stress.

By perpetuating each other’s activity, the two transcription factors can commit tachyzoites to morphing into bradyzoites by “locking the cell into this developmental trajectory,” said M. Haley Licon, parasitologist and lead author of the study. Future research could unravel what factors switch “off” this self-perpetuating loop, she added, enabling bradyzoites to revert to tachyzoites when stressful conditions elapse.

Hakimi argued that scientists are a long way from developing such drugs. “It’s very hard to target transcription factors,” and aside from select drugs used in cancer treatment, “very few drugs” do, he said.

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Category:

research, Toxoplasmosis