Immune Modulating Drug Effects Lyme Disease Test, Delays Diagnosis

May 5, 2021

https://danielcameronmd.com/immune-modulating-drug-effects-lyme-disease-test-delays-diagnosis/  Go Here for Podcast

IMMUNE MODULATING DRUG EFFECTS LYME DISEASE TEST, DELAYS DIAGNOSIS

immune modulating lyme disease

Welcome to another Inside Lyme Podcast. I am your host Dr. Daniel Cameron. I find that the best way to get to know Lyme disease is through reviewing actual cases. In this episode, I will be discussing the case of a young woman with multiple sclerosis (MS), who had a delay in diagnosis of Lyme disease due to immune modulating drug effects.

By

Sjöwall and colleagues describe the case in an article entitled “Case Report: Borrelia-DNA Revealed the Cause of Arthritis and Dermatitis During Treatment With Rituximab,” published in Frontiers in Neurology.1

The case involves a 20- year-old woman, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at age 17. She was initially treated with tocilizumab to manage her MS.  Tocilizumab, a biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. It’s marketed in the U.S. as Actemra.

Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody which blocks signals from IL-6 receptors. The drug can lower the immune system’s ability to fight infections.

The drug has received a lot of coverage in the news lately as a possible treatment for some COVID-19 patients. “Tocilizumab reduced the likelihood of progression to the composite outcome of mechanical ventilation or death, but it did not improve survival,” writes Salama and colleagues in the New England Journal of Medicine.2

The most common conventional DMARDs are methotrexate, sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine, azathioprine, and leflunomide.

Treatment with Rituximab

Eighteen months after receiving tocilizumab, the young woman was prescribed off-label treatment with Rituximab, a medication used to treat certain types of cancer and autoimmune diseases. In the U.S., it is sold under the brand name Rituxan.

Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the B-cell lineage specific CD20. The drug, which suppresses B cell production, can weaken the immune system, making patients more susceptible to infections.

Lyme-like symptoms emerge

Three years later at age 20, the young woman is evaluated for a 6-month history of arthritis in her knee and the presence of two circular erythematous rashes on her ankle.

“The right knee had typical signs of inflammation with rubor, tumor, and calor accompanied by a discretely reduced range of motion,” the authors explain.

“Our case clearly illustrates that, during treatment with B-cell depleting therapies, infections may give rise to an atypical clinical picture as well as a weak serological response to specific pathogens.”

“A dermatologist interpreted the skin symptoms as possible panniculitis with atypical erythema nodosum as a potential alternative diagnosis.”

At the onset of symptoms, Lyme disease tests were borderline. “The [test] results were interpreted to be of uncertain clinical significance,” the authors write. They add, “there were an enduring clinical suspicion of Borrelia infection.”

Biopsy confirms Lyme disease 

Clinicians diagnosed Lyme disease based on a skin biopsy of the lesions on her ankle. “Borrelia-DNA was detected in the biopsy analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR),” the authors explain.

After a 3-week course of treatment with doxycycline, both the arthritis and rash resolved.

Risks of immune-modulating therapies

A number of immunomodulating treatments (IMTs) are widely used in patients with MS and other autoimmune diseases. “B-cell depleting therapies are widely used in MS as well as in many other autoimmune diseases, often with a dramatic anti-inflammatory effect and symptom relief,” write the authors.

However, there are risks associated with IMTs, particularly with B-cell depleting therapies, including an increased risk of infections, the authors wrote.

Doctors typically screen for infections prior to starting patients of IMTs to avoid immune modulating drug effects.  In this case, the girl appeared to contract Lyme disease after the start of the the Immune modulating drug effects of Rituximab.

Conclusion: “This case highlights that Borrelia-specific antibody levels cannot be reliably interpreted in patients who have received B-cell depleting therapy,” the authors write. As this case demonstrates, “an ongoing infection can easily be overlooked or misinterpreted due to a weak serological response during treatment with a B-cell depleting drug.”

The following questions are addressed in this podcast episode:

  1. Why do doctors rely on B cells to diagnose Lyme disease?
  2. What are examples of B cell tests?
  3. Why are B cells important in autoimmune disease?
  4. How did these doctors diagnose multiple sclerosis?
  5. How reliable are the tests for multiple sclerosis?
  6. What are DMARD drugs?
  7. What are examples of DMARDs drugs?
  8. What is tocilizumab?
  9. What are the risks of tocilizumab?
  10. What are the benefits of tocilizumab?
  11. What is rituximab?
  12. What is rituximab used for?
  13. How did Lyme disease present in this case?
  14. Why was there a 6-month delay in treatment of the patient’s Lyme disease?
    Thanks for listening to another Inside Lyme Podcast. You can read more about these cases in my show notes and on my website @DanielCameronMD.com. As always, it is your likes, comments, reviews, and shares that help spread the word about Lyme disease. Until next time on Inside Lyme.

Please remember that the advice given is general and not intended as specific advice as to any particular patient. If you require specific advice, then please seek that advice from an experienced professional.

Inside Lyme Podcast Series

This Inside Lyme case series will be discussed on my Facebook and made available on podcast and YouTube.  As always, it is your likes, comments, and shares that help spread the word about this series and our work. If you can, please leave a review on iTunes or wherever else you get your podcasts.

References:
  1. Sjowall J, Xirotagaros G, Anderson CD, Sjowall C, Dahle C. Case Report: Borrelia-DNA Revealed the Cause of Arthritis and Dermatitis During Treatment With Rituximab. Front Neurol. 2021;12:645298.
  2. Salama C, Mohan SV. Tocilizumab in Patients Hospitalized with Covid-19 Pneumonia. Reply. N Engl J Med. Apr 15 2021;384(15):1473-1474. doi:10.1056/NEJMc2100217

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Diagnosing & Treating Lyme Disease, With Dr. Joseph Jemsek

https://www.lookingatlyme.ca/2021/04/diagnosing-and-treating-lyme-disease-with-dr-joseph-jemsek/

Diagnosing and treating Lyme disease, with Dr. Joseph Jemsek

EPISODES / BY

In this episode, Sarah is joined by Dr. Joseph Jemsek, an infectious disease physician who runs the Jemsek Specialty Clinic in Washington, DC. Dr. Jemsek has been on the leading edge of both the HIV and Lyme disease epidemics. He became intrigued by reports of a small cluster of patients with outbreaks of Kaposi Sarcoma and Pneumocystis pneumonia in New York and San Francisco. He intuitively felt that this was an indication of something much bigger.

Podcast here:  https://share.transistor.fm/e/38122673” data-wplink-url-error=”true”>http://https://share.transistor.fm/e/38122673  Approx. 36 Min

He recalls diagnosing the first HIV patient in North Carolina in 1983, before the disease was even called HIV. In the years that followed, the virus was identified, tests were created and treatments were researched, including an early study for azidothymidine (AZT) which Dr. Jemsek co-authored. This pioneering research study allowed patients access to this early treatment, clinical trial involvement and medical follow up.

“I became a fierce advocate for the HIV population…I just hated the prejudice and I stayed steadfastly behind them.”

Dr. Joseph Jemsek

The tale of twin epidemics

Sarah points out that Dr. Jemsek’s early work with HIV, along with his curiosity, intrigue and open-minded approach lends well to working with Lyme disease patients. Along with taking the time to really listen to patients and to consistently do physical exams, Dr. Jemsek has developed a comprehensive approach that addresses the many facets of tick-borne illnesses. His early commitment to HIV patients has developed into a fierce advocacy for Lyme patients. He emphasizes that it is critical for physicians to not only listen to, but to learn from their patients.

“Today in medicine we have a situation where a lot of it’s programmed and visits are very short. If you have complex issues, you have no chance, and in fact a lot of doctors say, ‘ok you have time for one complaint’, as we all know with Lyme borreliosis, there are literally dozens and dozens and dozens of complex and evolving issues.”

Dr. Joseph Jemsek

The Jemsek protocol

Dr. Jemsek provides insight into how and why he created the Jemsek Protocol for treating Lyme patients. He notes that chronic inflammation is a key factor in Lyme disease, and he points out some of the ways it affects different body systems. He explains the acronym POEMS, which he uses to guide care for Lyme patients, with P standing for pain. Dr. Jemsek describes three types of pain he sees in Lyme patients: neuropathic, musculoskeletal and regional. He explains why it is so important to first address the POEMS issues which are pain, other (social support, access to care), endocrine/metabolic imbalance, mood and sleep. 

“We need our deep sleep. If we don’t get our deep sleep, we have trouble detoxing our brain…the vascular channels open up and…a lot of the toxins are swept away during deep sleep.”

Dr. Joseph Jemsek

After addressing these fundamentals, treatment is continued using a multi-dimensional approach. He explains how the unique nature of the Borrelia bacteria requires a very specific approach to treatment which includes ongoing detoxification, lymphatic movement, dietary concerns, and addressing biofilms. He also emphasizes the importance of treating co-infections such as Babesia. Dr. Jemsek highlights several underlying issues that he believes are under-recognized or misunderstood, including properly addressing Babesia infections, biofilms, congenital and sexual transmission, as well as the myriad of underlying opportunistic infections that often occur along with Lyme disease.

Deep sleep detox

What role does deep sleep play? Dr. Jemsek explains that deep sleep is critically important in the brain detoxification process. During that time, vascular channels open to allow toxins to leave the brain. He looks at some of the many reasons Lyme patients experience sleep disturbances, and by investigating these causes he is able to recommend a multi-level approach to helping patients get the deep sleep they need for healing to occur. He also explains the importance of the limbic system and describes some of the symptoms that patients experience related to activation of that part of our nervous system. He also describes some of the symptoms patients experience due to inflammation and dysfunction of various parts of the brain and nervous system.

Tackling biofilm

Another important issue that Dr. Jemsek considers throughout treatment is that of biofilm. For treatment, the pathogen needs to be shifted from a dormant state (protected by biofilm) to a planktonic “free living” state where they can be killed more easily. Only a few antibiotics can get in through the biofilm…some antimalarials and antifungals can disrupt biofilm. He reiterates the need for a cautious and well monitored approach so that patients are not overwhelmed and circles back to the importance of detoxification practices to address the toxins released during treatment.

“The pathogens (in biofilm) are in a dormant state, so we want them in a planktonic state…they’re much easier to kill…we want to break down biofilm in a progressive, selective and smart way and not overwhelm the body, but we have to release these things, otherwise we could do several months of work for naught.”

Dr. Joseph Jemsek

New research and the COVID-19 connection

Although early research on the pathophysiology of Lyme disease gave us some insight into Lyme disease, Dr. Jemsek notes that there aren’t many recent controlled trials on Lyme disease treatment. A pilot study of his treatment protocol was in the works, but had to be paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Jemsek points out the similarities between Lyme disease and the lingering symptoms of COVID-19, and believes that Lyme patients who become infected with COVID-19 experience a reactivation and clinical expression of their Lyme symptoms.

How can physicians learn more about treating patients with tick-borne illnesses? Dr. Jemsek mentors other physicians and firmly believes tick-borne illness should be designated as a specialty, with its own education and accreditation program. He refers listeners to his website for numerous videos, livestreams and a booklet he has written to help guide patients and physicians.

 “Something is going on, why can’t people wake up and see that the human condition is in another paradigm with a set infections that the immune system’s not had to deal with, in an environment where we can’t quantify or identify what new toxins are in our environment and what they do to our bodies.”

Dr. Joseph Jemsek

Thank you Dr. Jemsek for your pioneering work with both HIV and Lyme disease and for sharing your knowledge and professional lived experience with us!

Related resources

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For more: 

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TAKE ACTION: Two US Senators Call For Censorship of Health Freedom Leaders & 12 Attorneys General Want To End Free Speech on Vaccine Information

May 4, 2021
Two US Senators Call for Censorship
of Health Freedom Leaders

Send Congress Your Outcry
Take Action Here

PROTECT FREEDOM OF SPEECH
Senator Ben Ray Luján informed the public on April 19, 2021 that he, along with his Minnesota colleague, Senator Amy Klobuchar, sent a letter to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg urging them “to remove the accounts that have been identified by experts as responsible for producing the majority of this disinformation on social media platforms. A recent report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) identified a dozen specific content producers as the original sources of an estimated 65 percent of coronavirus disinformation online.”As Luján and Klobuchar called for Dorsey and Zuckerberg to remove the 12 individuals from their social media platforms, their justification for censorship of constitutional speech was the promotion of their own public policy preferences in their statement: “A crucial step to increase vaccine confidence is to address primary spreaders of this vaccine disinformation, including the twelve accounts — referred to as the “Disinformation Dozen” and are responsible for a majority of disinformation — in a swift and decisive manner.”

The Senators failed to note that the individuals targeted for censorship are highly respected professionals, researchers, and health freedom leaders in our country who are trusted by a large number of citizens for providing valuable sources of information often not available by other sources.  The 12 trusted leaders are: Joseph Mercola, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Ty and Charlene Bollinger, Sherri Tenpenny, Rizza Islam, Rashid Buttar, Erin Elizabeth, Sayer Ji, Kelly Brogan, Christiane Northrup, Ben Tapper, and Kevin Jenkins.

The Senators are well aware that there are laws against fraud, and that truth is a defense to fraud.  They use the terms “disinformation” and “misleading”.  Yet they do not solicit an avenue where truth as a defense can be heard.  They do not call for a Congressional hearing or public forum that would include a time for leaders to answer any questions they might have about the content of their work and messaging.  They do not discuss the profound impact of Senators calling for censorship in the face of a constitutional issue of freedom of speech.   Instead, they want to prohibit the conversation of truth as a defense and are calling for outright censorship.

The great strength of America is our Constitution, including our sacred Bill of Rights.  The Bill of Rights includes the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution.  The 1st Amendment protects free speech.  Protecting freedom of speech and of the press is our powerful shield, essential in preventing abuse of power by any government.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”  U.S. Const. Amend. 1.

Without freedom of speech, a single source of government-endorsed information (whether from legislators, government agencies, or government-endorsed corporations) could eliminate truth and cause the takeover of our country and the hearts and minds of its people.  We must protect our First Amendment Freedom of Speech!!!

Tell your elected members of Congress to stop any requests for censorship and acknowledge that the 12 leaders listed above have First Amendment rights that deserve to be protected!  Click here now.
TAKE ACTION
to STOP Censorship

________________________

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/12-state-attorneys-general-demand-facebook-twitter-crack-down-on-vaccine-misinformation

12 state attorneys general demand Facebook, Twitter crack down on vaccine ‘misinformation’

Given ‘anti-vaxxers’ reliance on your platforms, you are uniquely positioned to prevent the spread of misinformation about coronavirus vaccines that poses a direct threat to the health and safety of millions of Americans in our states and that will prolong our road to recovery.’
Tue Apr 27, 2021 
Featured Image
By Calvin Freiburger

April 27, 2021 (LifeSiteNews) — The attorneys general of twelve states have signed a joint letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, calling on the world’s top social networks to do more to suppress negative claims about COVID-19 vaccines.

“The people and groups spreading falsehoods and misleading Americans about the safety of coronavirus vaccines are threatening the health of our communities, slowing progress in getting our residents protected from the virus, and undermining economic recovery in our states,” declares the letter, spearheaded by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and co-signed by his counterparts in Delaware, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Virginia.

Specifically, the attorneys general want Facebook and Twitter to “remove from all their platforms the accounts of prominent ‘anti-vaxxers’ who have repeatedly violated the companies’ terms of service”; “consistently apply misinformation labels and popups on Facebook pages and groups that discuss vaccines or COVID-19”; and to stop allowing so-called “anti-vaxxers” to “skirt its policy of removing misinformation that health experts have debunked, by failing to prevent them from using video and streaming tools like Facebook Live and sites like Bitchute, Rumble, and Brighteon to evade detection.”  (See link for article)

_______________________

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2021/05/04/removing-articles-related-to-vitamin-d-c-and-zinc

Why I’m Removing All Articles Related to Vitamins D, C, Zinc and COVID-19

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola
May 4, 2021

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Over the past year, I’ve been researching and writing as much as I can to help you take control of your health, as fearmongering media and corrupt politicians have destroyed lives and livelihoods to establish global control of the world’s population, using the COVID-19 pandemic as their justification
  • Through it all, I have refused to succumb to these relentless attacks. I have been confident and willing to defend myself in the court of law
  • Unfortunately, threats have now become very personal and have intensified to the point I can no longer preserve much of the information and research I’ve provided to you thus far. So, effective immediately, much of the information on my website will be permanently removed  (See link for article)
________________________

**Comment**

Hopefully it’s abundantly clear how dangerous censorship is.  Experienced and knowledgable professionals in the health field are have been banned and censored at an unprecedented rate. These are people with training, education, and experience – but it doesn’t matter because they are defying the accepted narrative. Science should be subject to healthy debate and opinions.  This is how Science evolves. It’s rarely “settled.”  Public ‘authorities’ insist that the Science on Lyme/MSIDS is settled, but anyone who takes more than a minute to dig into this discovers what research has been done has been tightly controlled, flawed, biased, and extremely damaging to sick patients.

Lastly, people should be free to share their personal experiences with others without being censored.

If it wasn’t for the personal experiences of others, many Lyme/MSIDS patients wouldn’t be here today.  It’s this personal, one on one, communication that can often save lives.

The article also rightly points out that the “government’s” own actions have led to widespread mistrust due to their continued contradictory guidance on every aspect of the ‘pandemic.’

In addition to this flip-flopping guidance, these experimental, fast-tracked injections are only available to the public due to EUA authorization (Emergency use authorization), which means clinical trials were performed in less than a year when historically it takes a minimum of 2-4 years.  To state they were rushed would be an understatement.  And the reports of harm and death continue to pour in.  Those getting injected are effectively test subjects in an ongoing clinical trial.

There are ethical concerns as well.

Please also sign the PETITION: Say ‘No’ to COVID ‘Vaccine Passports’

(Click on “Petition” to sign)

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“Change Has to Start Somewhere.” LymeX Kicks off New Efforts to Find Solutions.

https://www.lymedisease.org/change-has-to-start-somewhere-lymex-kicks-off-new-efforts-to-find-solutions/

“Change has to start somewhere.” LymeX kicks off new efforts to find solutions.

Bridging the Trust Gap, a public webinar kicking off LymeX, was held April 28.

LymeX is a $25 million-dollar, three-year public-private partnership to promote “innovation in Lyme and other tick-borne diseases to improve prevention, diagnosis, and patient outcomes.”

At the LymeX Webinar, HHS Chief Data Scientist Kristen Honey provided an overview of why we need LymeX.

Additional talks featured Lorraine Johnson, principal investigator of MyLymeData; Nevena Zubcevik, DO, of Invisible International; Brian A. Fallon, MD,  director of the Cohen Center for Health and Recovery from Tick-Borne Diseases; and entrepreneur Lauren Pfeifer, who discussed new technologies to help patients.

LymeDisease.org’s Lonnie Marcus live-tweeted the event. Her tweets are compiled below. At the end of her Twitter summary there is a link to a replay of the webinar on YouTube.

(See link for Tweets)

_______________________

**Comment**

IMO any research or work done with the federal government, using their funding, is a complete and utter waste of time.  They represent The Cabal whom have effectively denied, suppressed, and repeatedly done faulty research that is continually being used to deny patients diagnosis and care.

The title of the piece is “Change Has to Start Somewhere,” but we’ve fruitlessly used this exact approach for over 40 years to no avail.  Again, the statement, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results,” comes to mind.

Further, I must correct Dr. Fallon’s erroneous statement that ONLY 10-20% of Lyme/MSIDS patients go on to suffer chronic symptoms.  This false, low number is suppressing the real percentage of patients who suffer with sometimes life-long debilitating symptoms.  Please go here for a great read on this.  In a nutshell, a microbiologist states that the 10-20% only include those patients diagnosed and treated early and does not include those patients diagnosed and treated late.  This ignored group constitutes 30-40% of patients.

 If you add the two groups, a whopping 60% or more go on to suffering long-term debilitating symptoms.
That’s a big deal that demands recognition and specifically tailored research to address this heavily suppressed issue.

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Chronic Lyme Gut Microbiome Study Reopens Enrollment

https://www.lymedisease.org/chronic-lyme-gut-study-reopens/

Chronic Lyme gut microbiome study reopens enrollment

April 29, 2021

gut-chronic-lyme

Last month, we sent out a special announcement about researchers working to develop a diagnostic test for chronic Lyme disease.

They were seeking participants in a study of how chronic Lyme disease affects the gut’s microbiome.

Response from the Lyme community was overwhelming. Within 12 hours, every slot in the study was filled! We had to tell people that enrollment was closed and shut down our application link.

However, because of that enthusiastic response, Flightpath Biosciences, the company conducting the study, applied for regulatory approval to expand the number of participants.

They obtained that approval and have reopened applications for their “Study of a Potential Test for Persistent Lyme Disease.”

Can gut microbes predict chronic Lyme disease?

Here’s a recap of information we originally posted last month:

Recent research by Professor Kim Lewis, of Boston’s Northeastern University, has shown that changes in the bacteria in a person’s gastrointestinal tract may be predictive of late-stage Lyme disease.

In general, bacteria in the gut are a good indicator of our overall health. These bacteria strongly influence our immune system, and in some cases, our microbiomes may be as important as our genetics in predicting diseases.

In consultation with Professor Lewis and building on his work, Flightpath Biosciences plans to study blood and stool samples from chronic Lyme patients and compare them to those of healthy people.

They’ll be looking for biomarkers—objective signs that are distinctive to chronic Lyme disease. If found, these biomarkers could lead to a new way of diagnosing the disease and demonstrating its active presence in patients.

One of the biggest barriers for chronic Lyme disease patients has been the lack of a test that can detect on-going disease. The company’s new study and related research could hold the key to finally developing an accurate test and potentially new treatments.

Requirements

That’s where you come in. If you are willing to take part in this research, the requirements for participating in the study criteria are below.

To be eligible, you must be:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • A resident of the United States
  • Previously diagnosed with Lyme disease, and
  • Have persistent symptoms six months or more after receiving first treatment with antibiotics.

Participants:

  • Must be willing to stop and avoid antibiotics for two weeks prior to sample collection,
  • Will provide information in a brief questionnaire, and
  • Will provide a blood and stool sample from home or in some cases at a local designated facility.

Those who complete the study will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.

When you apply to take part, you’ll be asked to fill out a survey with questions about your health history, including what medications you are taking or have taken in the past.

If you meet the criteria, a stool sample kit will be sent to you, with instructions on how to collect and submit it.

Then, a phlebotomist will schedule a visit with you to draw your blood sample. At that point, you are done with the process, and you’ll be sent your Amazon card.

Click here to learn more.

LymeDisease.org is providing this information from Flightpath Biosciences as part of our mission to accelerate research in Lyme disease. One question the company hopes to answer is whether there are differences between the microbiomes or blood samples of males and females in this population. So, while this study is re-opening to all genders, if you know of a male with persistent Lyme disease, please encourage them to enroll.

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