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Lyme Advocate Calls Out Researcher For Hypocrisy

https://www.change.org/p/the-us-senate-calling-for-a-congressional-investigation-of-the-cdc-idsa-and-aldf/u/2

Special Issue “Advance in Tick-Borne Diseases Research”

JUL 1, 2020 —

———- Original Message ———-

From: CARL TUTTLE <runagain@comcast.net>
To: tickbornedisease@hhs.gov, jaucott2@jhmi.edu
Cc: (98 undisclosed recipients)
Date: 06/30/2020 12:54 PM
Subject: Special Issue “Advance in Tick-Borne Diseases Research”

To the Tick-borne Disease Working Group,

Here is more evidence of the global denial of persistent infection after extensive antibiotic treatment. Academics along with the US Centers for Disease Control who have followed Dr. Gary Wormser’s racketeering scheme are aiding and abetting this scientific misconduct.

Please see the following email addressed to Professors Stanek and Strle with cc; to Managing Editor, Ms. Ashlynn Wang, Microorganisms.

Carl Tuttle
———- Original Message ———-
From: CARL TUTTLE <runagain@comcast.net>
To: gerold.stanek@meduniwien.ac.at, franc.strle@kclj.si
Cc: ashlynn.wang@mdpi.com, vicario@mdpi.com, lin@mdpi.com, vazquez@mdpi.com
Date: 06/29/2020 11:59 AM
Subject: Special Issue “Advance in Tick-Borne Diseases Research”

Microorganisms — Open Access Journal

Special Issue “Advance in Tick-Borne Diseases Research”
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/microorganisms/special_issues/tick_borne_diseases

Special Issue Editors: -Prof. Dr. Gerold Stanek , -Prof. Dr. Franc Strle

June 29, 2020

Immunology of Infection and Microbiology
Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology
Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology
Kinderspitalgasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria
Attn: Prof. Dr. Gerold Stanek and Prof. Dr. Franc Strle

To: Professors Stanek and Strle,

It should be known that the academics in the United States who have controlled the Lyme disease narrative for the past thirty years are defendants in a racketeering lawsuit in Texas District Court. Four of the eight insurance companies named in this suit have now settled out of court and the court has upheld the racketeering charge.

Court upholds claims under RICO, against doctor defendants
https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/a6439-show_temp.pl_.pdf

One of the strategies of this racketeering scheme was to suppress evidence of persistent infection after extensive antibiotic treatment and then claim there is no evidence.

Dr. Gary Wormser of New York Medical College has had a global influence on the scientific community promoting his groupthink mentality concerning persistent Borrelia infection. (Wormser; “Chronic Lyme disease does not exist”)

Dr. Stanek, you clearly reported persistent Borrelia infection in 2001 in a 64-year-old patient despite treatment with four courses of ceftriaxone [1] but when Dr. Wormser teamed up with you and Dr. Strle in 2012 that case of chronic Lyme was omitted in your Lancet article and you and your coauthors claim that Lyme disease is easily treated. [2]

Here is a quote from your 2001 publication identifying persistent infection:

“Borrelia [the Lyme disease bacteria] may possibly be able to remain dormant in certain tissue compartments”

Here is a quote from your 2012 lancet article:

“Most manifestations of Lyme borreliosis will resolve spontaneously without treatment.”

In 2014 you and Dr. Strle published the following paper promoting antibiotic treatment:

Lyme Borreliosis (Book Chapter) [no longer at this original link]
https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84942739356&origin=inward&txGid=D355DFF083BF00E79EB6ABEAFE4BBD9F.wsnAw8kcdt7IPYLO0V48gA%3a13

Stupica, D. a, Stanek, G. b, Strle, F. a

a Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
b Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria

Abstract

A 49-year-old male, living in a Lyme borreliosis (LB) endemic region, noticed an erythematous skin rash about 10 days after a bite that in the next 2 weeks evolved to a ring-like skin lesion with diameters of 18×9. cm, i.e., presenting as typical erythema migrans (EM). The lesion disappeared spontaneously in 5 weeks; however, in the following 2 months the patient developed radicular pains, complete heart block that required insertion of transient heart pacemaker, and knee arthritis. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed lymphocytic pleocytosis. High levels of serum and CSF borrelial IgG antibodies and intrathecal production of the specific antibodies were ascertained, and treatment with ceftriaxone 2. g OD intravenously for 14 days was initiated. The patient regained his physical capacity, radicular chest pain and knee swelling declined, and heart conduction abnormalities resolved. The pacemaker was removed during antibiotic treatment, and the patient’s further course was uneventful. The patient had all major manifestations of LB, which could have been prevented if EM had been recognized and properly treated. However, instead of antibiotic treatment, the physician who saw the patient at the time of EM ordered tests for the presence of borrelial antibodies, and misinterpreted negative serology as an indication against antibiotic treatment.LB is the most frequent tick-transmitted illness on the Northern Hemisphere. It is caused by certain species of Lyme borreliae. In the present report, epidemiology, etiology, mode of transmission, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention of this emerging disease with increasing incidence are discussed. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

So, let’s review your position:

In 2001 you identified chronic Lyme disease
in 2012 you claimed Lyme is a simple nuisance disease
In 2014 Lyme became very serious requiring the insertion of transient heart pacemaker

So what’s going on here Dr. Stanek?

Have you become influenced by Dr. Gary Wormser (who is a defendant in an alleged racketeering scheme) promoting the global denial of persistent Borrelia infection and misclassification as a simple nuisance disease?

Patient testimony all across America [3] (and the globe) [4] is describing a disease that is destroying lives, ending careers while leaving its victim in financial ruin.

For the record: The maximum penalty authorized for a RICO violation here in the United States is 20 years in jail.

A response to this inquiry is requested.

Respectfully submitted,

Carl Tuttle

Lyme Endemic Hudson, NH USA

Cc: Ms. Ashlynn Wang, Managing Editor, Microorganisms
Dr. Unai Vicario, Publishing Manager , MDPI
Shu-Kun Lin, Ph.D. President, MDPI
Franck Vazquez, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, MDPI

References:

1. Br J Dermatol. 2001 Feb;144(2):387-92.

Isolation and polymerase chain reaction typing of Borrelia afzelii from a skin lesion in a seronegative patient with generalized ulcerating bullous lichen sclerosus et atrophicus.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11251580

Breier F , Khanakah G, Stanek G, Kunz G, Aberer E, Schmidt B, Tappeiner G.

Author information

1Department of Dermatology, Lainz Municipal Hospital, Wolkersbergenstrasse 1, A-1130 Vienna, Austria. brf@der.khl.magwien.gv.at

Abstract

A 64-year-old woman presented with bullous and ulcerating lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) on the neck, trunk, genital and perigenital area and the extremities. Histology of lesional skin showed the typical manifestations of LSA; in one of the biopsies spirochaetes were detected by silver staining. Despite treatment with four courses of ceftriaxone with or without methylprednisone for up to 20 days, progression of LSA was only stopped for a maximum of 1 year. Spirochaetes were isolated from skin cultures obtained from enlarging LSA lesions. These spirochaetes were identified as Borrelia afzelii by sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses. However, serology for B. burgdorferi sensu lato was repeatedly negative. After one further 28-day course of ceftriaxone the lesions stopped expanding and sclerosis of the skin was diminished. At this time cultures for spirochaetes and PCR of lesional skin for B. afzelii DNA remained negative. These findings suggest a pathogenetic role for B. afzelii in the development of LSA and a beneficial effect of appropriate antibiotic treatment.

PMID: 11251580

2. Lyme borreliosis.

Stanek G1, Wormser GP, Gray J, Strle F.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21903253

Excerpt:

Most patients with Lyme borreliosis have an excellent prognosis. Although most manifestations of Lyme borreliosis will resolve spontaneously without treatment, antibiotic treatment might speed the resolution of symptoms and signs, and will prevent the development of objective late complications. Precautions to prevent future tick bites should be taken to prevent re-infections.

3. Under our Skin 5min extended trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxWgS0XLVqw&feature=channel_page

4. Lyme Disease: French Association Launches Alert Against “A Bacterial AIDS”

https://fr.sputniknews.com/france/201904101040691211-maladie-lyme-association-france-droit-de-guerir-sida-matthias-lacoste/?fbclid=IwAR028YoR08pF5GkEImwiZP9JpxxVG9EURUYjsylDXgeskWk8ft4j-Us0NXE

________________

**Comment**

iu-65

Tuttle also points out that it appears members of the TBDWG are colluding with the defendants of the RICO lawsuit (Lisa Torrey vs IDSA) as one of those defendants (Eugene Shapiro) is an active member of the Working Group: https://www.change.org/p/the-us-senate-calling-for-a-congressional-investigation-of-the-cdc-idsa-and-aldf/u/27071676?c

For more: https://lymediseaseassociation.org/government/federal-government/govt-departments-a-policies/hhs-tbd-working-group/agencies-deny-persistent-lyme-at-wg-take-action-now/

Category:

Activism, Lyme, Uncategorized

Experts Criticize Government Review of Vitamin D For COVID-19

Experts criticize government review of Vitamin D for COVID-19

02-Jul-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Nutrition and industry experts have responded to Public Health England’s (PHE) reports which found no evidence to support taking vitamin D supplements to prevent or treat COVID‑19, describing the conclusions as ‘narrow-minded’ and ‘abysmal’.

HTTPS://WWW.NUTRAINGREDIENTS.COM/ARTICLE/2020/07/02/EXPERTS-CRITICISE-GOVERNMENT-REVIEW-OF-VITAMIN-D-FOR-COVID-19

____________________

For more: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/01/10/vitamin-d-increases-protection-against-infection-new-model-suggests/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/03/12/the-importance-of-vitamin-d-k-and-magnesium-for-lyme-msids-patients/

Category:

Uncategorized

Bitten By Tick in 2007 – Still Dealing With Symptoms

https://www.health.com/condition/lyme-disease/tick-bite-chronic-lyme-disease-symptoms

This Woman Was Bitten by a Tick in 2007—and She’s Still Dealing With Chronic Lyme Disease Symptoms

‘If I overdo it, Lyme rears its beastly, ugly head.’

By Stephanie Buice as told to Dana Hudepohl

May 28, 2020

There are days I feel as though my body is constricted by a thousand weighted blankets, and I can’t even lift my foggy head off the pillow, let alone carry on a coherent conversation with my husband or daughters. Days my muscles burn like they’re on fire, my bones cry out as if they are being crushed in a crematorium, and I am left bawling on the floor in the fetal position. On days like that, my husband scoops me up and puts me in an Epsom salt bath. Some days, when I’m in a flare, I feel like I am dying inside. It is a battle I will be fighting for the rest of my life.

Now I know I have what some clinicians and researchers are calling chronic Lyme disease, a tickborne infection that took a decade of my life to properly diagnose. (See link for article)

_______________________

**Comment**

Important quote:

Ultimately, she diagnosed Epstein Barr and leaky gut, which she treated through diet, lifestyle changes, and supplements. A conventional Lyme test came back negative. She said that we could go ahead and treat for Lyme since it could be a false negative, but I wasn’t ready to take that step without a definitive diagnosis.

This right here is the problem….

First, I’m impressed the doctor was willing to treat her despite the negative test. Perhaps word is finally making it around; however, the patient’s refusal to treat due to wanting a definitive diagnosis is pretty common. They just don’t get it.

It’s up to us to educate the public on how devastating tick-borne illness is because it’s the only way procrastination to get treatment is going to change. This isn’t like other diseases where you go in get a definitive test and then start treatment. This is like catching a greased pig in an oil factory.

This “wait and see” approach is ruining peoples’ lives and must end. If you are bitten by a tick, treat immediately – before any tests can even be taken and get back. Trust me when I say it’s a lot easier to support the brief negative impact of antibiotics than it is to treat something that can disable you and cause you pain of a magnitude you’ve never experienced before.

For more: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/02/13/lyme-disease-treatment/

Category:

Lyme, Ticks, Uncategorized

Image

Happy Memorial Day

iu-62

Written

on May 25, 2020

Lyme Carditis Symptoms May Go Undiagnosed in Mexico

https://danielcameronmd.com/lyme-carditis-symptoms-undiagnosed-in-mexico/

LYME CARDITIS SYMPTOMS MAY GO UNDIAGNOSED IN MEXICO

man having heart problem from Lyme carditis symptoms

Lyme carditis symptoms can be a serious complication of Lyme disease. While the condition is well-recognized in the United States, officials in Mexico are reluctant to acknowledge Lyme disease in their country. In a letter entitled “Advanced AV-block: Is it time to consider Lyme carditis as a differential diagnosis in Mexico?” physicians describe the challenges of proving that a patient has Lyme carditis. [1]

By Dr. Daniel Cameron

The authors highlight the case of a 23-year-old woman who presented to their hospital “with a chief complaint of dyspnea and chest pain and was found to have a third degree AV-block on the electrocardiogram (ECG).”

A temporary pacemaker was implanted. And after an exhaustive work-up for other causes, the woman was eventually tested for Lyme disease. While Lyme carditis symptoms can be difficult to recognized, test results were positive by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) two-tier Western blot criteria.

Unfortunately, despite a three-week course of intravenous ceftriaxone, the woman required a permanent pacemaker. “At 3-month follow-up, she was still dependent on pacing,” writes Carrizales-Sepulveda and colleagues.

They argue that the woman lived in an endemic region and had visited the hospital with complaints consistent with Lyme carditis symptoms four weeks earlier. The authors cite the CDC, pointing out that “a region can be considered as endemic for [Lyme disease] if: at least two confirmed cases have been previously acquired or in which established populations of a known tick vector are infected with B. burgdorferi.”

Officials reluctant to acknowledge Lyme disease exists in Mexico. CLICK TO TWEET

However, the medical community in Mexico has been reluctant to acknowledge Lyme disease as a possible cause of the woman’s heart block. Officials argue “there is no convincing evidence that Borrelia burgdorferi is present in Mexico.”READ MORE: Which treatment guidelines should you follow for Lyme carditis?

Despite such resistance, Carrizales-Sepulveda and colleagues report “a seroprevalence of 6.2% for the Northeast region of Mexico and 3.4% for Mexico City, using a two-tier approach with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blot (WB) as recommended.”

Unfortunately, these results were dismissed as false positives, the authors write.

Furthermore, their Lyme carditis diagnosis was questioned with officials suggesting “the advanced AV-block that our patient presented had another cause that was not thoroughly investigated,” Carrizales-Sepulveda explains.

The authors recommend that Lyme carditis be considered as a possible diagnosis for patients living in Mexico.

“We agree that in our country other causes should be ruled-out first, however, there is no reason to leave out [Lyme carditis] as a diagnosis,” they write.

“[Lyme disease] in our country might be under looked, underdiagnosed, and underreported.”

Patients can die when Lyme carditis is not treated

Study identifies 189 children with Lyme carditis

Lyme disease podcast: 17-year-old man dies from Lyme carditis

References:

Carrizales-Sepulveda EF, Jimenez-Castillo RA, Vera-Pineda R. Advanced AV-block: Is it time to consider Lyme carditis as a differential diagnosis in Mexico? J Electrocardiol. 2020.

____________________

**Comment**

We are indebted to Dr. Lapenta, a South American doctor, who has written on Lyme in the Southern Hemisphere and numerous other issues with tick-borne illness. https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/02/06/lyme-in-the-southern-hemisphere-sexual-transmission/

Thankfully, there is doctor training going on for tick-borne illness going on in South America.