LIFELYME
(A
non-profit 501(c)3 charity organization)
An
Educational Resource for Lyme Disease and Related Diseases
enter
Lyme disease is caused by a spirochetal bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). The bacteria Bb is transmitted by ticks and other vectors including mosquitoes, fleas and mites.
A recent
study at the University of New Haven in Connecticut revealed that
ticks tested carried not only Bb, but Babesia, Ehrlichia, Bartonella,
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Rickettsia, Mycoplasma and other
pathogenic agents. Another study done in Florida by Kerry Clark, PhD.
D. Epidemiologist at the University of North Florida found ticks in
Florida carry Anaplasma, Borrelia burgdorferi, and spotted fever
group Rickettsia. The results of
these studies
were similar to another study done on the West Coast.
Bug Bites
Pictures Slides http://www.webmd.com/allergies/slideshow-bad-bugs
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Most
physicians look for the accepted tell-tale Bull’s Eye rash (EM)
seen at the site of a bite. Studies have
shown that
the rash has appeared in less than 50% of the patients infected.
However, physician should look
for the most
common symptoms of Lyme disease, which are fl u-like symptoms, fever,
chills, malaise,
general aches
and pains, stiff neck, swollen glands and fatigue. Bell’s palsy,
cardiac abnormalities and
even aseptic
meningitis are associated conditions of Lyme disease. If treatment is
delayed the severity
of symptoms
may include swelling and local inflammation of the knees and other joints.
Lyme disease
mimics many other diseases and is called “The New Great
Imitator”. The first “Great Imitator” was syphilis.
Like syphilis, Lyme disease may have a latency period of months to
years before symptoms of late infection emerge. Two of the most
common misdiagnosis are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
The symptoms of autoimmune disease like Multiple Sclerosis, Lou
Gehrig’s disease, Parkinson’s and Lupus often overlap those
of Lyme disease. Recent published research is showing possible links
between Lyme and Autism.
HOW IS LYME
DISEASE DIAGNOSED?
According to
the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Lyme is a
clinical diagnosis, which means a physician may make a diagnosis
based on your health history and your present symptoms. However,
laboratory tests are usually part of a reported diagnosis.
WHAT TESTS
ARE AVAILABLE?
Basically
there are two types of Lyme test, antibody tests and antigen tests.
The ELISA and Western Blot are both antibody tests. Although the
Western Blot is more sensitive than the ELISA, not all patients may
be producing antibodies at the time these tests are taken. Therefore,
in the absences of antibodies, these tests
may report a
false negative. Antibody tests measure the presence of the IgM and/or
IgG antibodies in a patient’s blood. A problem can exist in the
testing due to a sick immune system’s inability to produce
antibodies against the invading bacteria. An antigen test capable of
picking up the organism itself would be more reliable than a test
dependent upon the bodies ability to produce antibodies.
HOW DOES THE
LYME BACTERIA Bb EVADE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM?
Understanding
the microbiology behind the cyst or cell wall deficient (CWD) form of
Bb and its ability to hide from the immune system helps us understand
the Lyme disease controversies and the complications in testing for
the bacteria. At the beginning of the last century, bacteriologist
entered into an intense debate over pleomorphism.
Pleomorphism
is the ability of a bacteria to change from one form to another and
as in the case of Bb, back again into its original form. The debate
split microbiologist into two camps: the monomorphists and the
pleomorphists. The monomorphists believe that each bacterial cell by
binary fission divides transversely to produce two new cells which
evolve to replicate the original cell in size and shape. The
pleomorphists believe that even common bacteria show complex life
cycles, and have the ability to shed their cell wall.
In the Spring
of 2006, a research study was published on “A Life Cycle for
Borrelia Spirochetes”, by Dr. Alan MacDonald, Ph.D. What is a Bb
life cycle? According to Dr. MacDonald’s study the “....life
cycles are diverse arrays of life forms which emerge in an ordered
sequence, which are ‘connected’ to one another across
primary and secondary hosts, and constitute a cycle with
‘circular’ relationship between hosts.” In another
study by MacDonald, spirochetes were found in the plaque of the brain
of post-mortem Alzheimer’s patients.
Upon entering
the body Bb in its spirochetal form cloaks itself with a coating of
the person’s own DNA.
The system,
normally in Cellular Immunity, will go into Humoral Immunity the
state of attack, when it recognizes a foreign invader. By cloaking
itself in the body’s own protein the bacteria hides from the
immune system and from being destroyed by killer cells. Hence, the
referral to the spirochete as being a Stealth Pathogen. The white
blood cells, the Neutrophils and Macrophages engulf foreign
pathogenic invaders, allows the cloaked pirochetes to go in and out
of these cells as they don’t recognize them as the enemy. They
see the cloaked spirochetes as self’ (part of the person’s ownDNA).
WHAT HAPPENS
WHEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM DOESN’T RECOGNIZE THE LYME BACTERIA Bb AS
AN iNVADER?
Under these
circumstances, the immune system stays in Humoral Immunity Overdrive,
because it can’t locate the invader and destroy it. Normally,
when an enemy is destroyed the immune system returns to normal
Cellular immunity. However, when an immune system...etc. When an
immune system is left in Humoral Immunity Overdrive, the results are
negative. Autoimmune issues occur and the immune system starts to
attack many systems in the body. It is not unusual to see people with
Borrelia or Mycoplasma infections exhibiting autoimmune issues such
as diagnosed in Lupus, Parkinson’s ALS, Lupus, RA and MS.
Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction (CFIDS) and or Fibromyalgia are
other common misdiagnosis. Specifi c diagnosis is the result of a
combination
of factors present in the individual. These include the general
health of the individual’s immune system, his/her genetics, and
the infectious agent. There are over 300 strains of Bb worldwide,
variations in the strains of this bacteria, and the possibility of an
added co-infection such as Babesia, Ehrlichia or Bartonella,
intensifies the bacterial load making a diagnosis and treatment
extremely difficult.
WHAT IS THE
TREATMENT FOR LYME DISEASE?
Treatment for
Lyme Disease is complicated by the nature of the spirochete, the
genetics of the patient and the reality that co-infections may also
be involved. Antibiotics are the chosen mainstream treatment, but
success is difficult if the patient goes untreated and the disease
becomes chronic. Prompt treatment with six weeks of antibiotics for a
bite is recommended by The International Lyme and Associated Diseases
Society (ILADS) in order to prevent relapses and chronic illness. If
not recognized in early stage infection, longer treatment is usually needed.
If you
suspect you may have Lyme disease find a Lyme knowledgeable physician
with experience in treating
Lyme disease
and related illnesses.