The importance of probiotics while undergoing Lyme Disease treatment cannot be underestimated. The human microbiome is composed of trillions of different bacteria that live harmoniously and perform various necessary physiological functions, especially in the intestines. These bacteria have specific nutritional needs just as we do to sustain life. Additionally, endigenous bacteria generally do not cause disease, unless the bio-terrain is altered by other infectious organisms, antibiotics, or poor diet. In this case, your “garden” becomes a “garden of weeds.”
While antibiotics are necessary to eradicate Lyme Disease and co-infections in most patients, great care should be taken to maintain a healthy microbiome while undergoing treatment. A plant-based diet low in carbohydrates and plenty of water keeps inflammation at a minimum so that the antibiotics can work optimally to kill pathogenic organisms.
But make no mistake…this is risky business because antibiotics not only kill the bad organisms, they also kill the good ones. Therefore, high-dose, diverse, probiotics should be taken alongside antibiotic therapy without question. Some of these can include:
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus plantarum
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
Saccharomyces boulardii
Additionally, pre-biotics in the form of FOS (fructooligosaccharides) may be necessary to balance the gut flora.
As you age, your gut microbiome becomes increasingly less able to optimally function. This gets exacerbated when you have multiple infections affecting the mucos.
Methylene Blue is an old drug (circa 1876) used to treat methemoglobinemia and cyanide poisoning. It is a thiazide dye and turns your urine blue, but generally is very well tolerated. Some patients like to use red spectrum light with methylene blue, especially for treating plaque psoriasis.
It works by converting ferric iron in hemoglobin to ferrous iron. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and is currently under research investigation for the treatment of persistent Bartonella with promising results.
The only caveat is that you must be tested for G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase) deficiency to ensure that enzyme levels are normal, prior to beginning treatment.
Sleep is critical for healing, particularly deep sleep. During sleep, the body alternates between REM sleep and non-REM sleep. During REM or deep sleep, you dream, and dreaming is thought to be the way that the mind processes information. During sleep, most of the body’s systems are in an anabolic state, helping to restore the immune, nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems. Sleep is also the time that the brain detoxes through its glymphatic system.
Insomnia is a common symptom of tick-borne disease and is characterized by an inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake refreshed. This has to be treated right away so that you can get 8-10 hours of restful sleep a night.
There are many supplements that can help with sleep 30 minutes before bed includes:
Melatonin (1-4 mg)
Phosphatidylserine (100-400 mg)
L-Theanine (750 mg)
DMG (Dimethylglycine) (100 mg)
GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid) (1000 mg)
Valerian (100 mg)
Progesterone (25 mg – 100 mg)
5-HTP (50 mg – 100 mg)
There are also several peptides that are sleep aids including:
Epitalon
DSIP (Delta sleep-inducing peptide)
Lastly, medications that can help with sleep include:
Detoxification is a natural property of the human body and includes urination, defecation, sweating, and breathing. Food and liquids that we eat and drink respectively contain many components for which the body cannot use and are therefore eliminated as waste. This is a homeostatic component of our physiology that allows “balance” to be maintained in the body.
The liver, kidneys, colon, and lungs are the organs responsible for carrying out detox activity in the body. However, the liver bears most of this burden in filtering blood. Nature has designed four elaborate detoxification pathways that include: sulfation, glucuronidation, acetylation, and glycation. These pathways must operate with ease in order for the liver to filter contaminants in the blood such as spirochetal excrement, dead spirochetes, and known toxins such as Bb Tox 1, ammonia, and Quinolinic acid. If these toxins are not removed from the body, they accumulate causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage which augments illness and may contribute significantly to chronic infectious illness.
Healing Affirmations are an incredibly powerful tool in the healing journey. One of the things that are so disheartening about chronic illness is that your spirit can become sick and depressed as well. This complicates the healing journey substantially. One way to keep your spirits high while you heal from chronic illness is to do daily affirmations that actually help you heal. Below are affirmations that you can do or write in your journal to keep your spirits high:
I know that I am healing every day
My cells feel better and better every day
My infections are getting treated every day
I know that my body will be well very soon
I can feel my body healing every day
I am not sick. I am just having a bad day
I am just resting to allow my body to heal, which will happen quickly
I am so grateful for my herbs and medications that help me heal
I am so grateful that I can move, eat, and spend time with my family
I am so grateful that I still have a good attitude and goals that I want to accomplish
There are many books online with healing affirmations that you can purchase. Do this daily, and it will make your healing time shorter. Psychoneuroimmunology is a significant factor in your return to health ad you are in control of that.
Another great way to start your day is with a gratitude journal. Every morning, write down 10 things that you are most grateful for and make them different every day. By doing this, you begin to change your frequency to a higher vibration which is always a better option when you are trying to heal from chronic illness.
If you are having trouble managing the symptoms of Lyme disease or other co-infections, medical cannabis may be a treatment option for you. The anti-inflammatory properties of medical cannabis have been linked to providing potential relief for some of the symptoms of Lyme disease, as well as numerous mental benefits including some relief from anxiety and depression. The pain-relieving properties of medical marijuana make it a viable treatment for Lyme disease. Cannabis is a naturally occurring herb known for its relaxing and neurologically calming properties and has recently become available in Washington State for medicinal use. Cannabis contains Cannabidiol (CBD) which is the major non-psychoactive constituent of Cannabis sativa, and Delta 9 – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which does affect mental acuity.
Cannabinoids promote neurogenesis and have neurological protective effects as well as pain-reducing effects on the body. Therefore, Cannabinoids may be very useful in the treatment of chronic tick-borne illness. The key is to use an extract that is high in CBD but low in THC, so that anti-inflammatory properties are maximized, and mental “dulling” properties are minimized.
If you would like to know more about Cannabinoids in the treatment of chronic tick-borne illness, please contact Dr. Marra. Not everyone is a candidate to use this herb, and so a detailed history and physical will be required to assess your eligibility for this treatment.
Inflammation is the body’s normal response to infections, diseases, injuries, and anything it considers harmful. It is important to lower inflammation during treatment because this will help fight against toxic compounds, pathogens, and damaged cells build up in organ tissues. Certain foods are known to cause inflammation in the body. One of the fastest ways to decrease inflammation is to adopt an anti-inflammatory diet.
Fruits and vegetables are particularly important in the defense against inflammation. Vegetables in the allium family include garlic, scallions, onions, Chinese chives, and leeks.
Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard greens, and brussel sprouts.
Phytonutrients are found in all berries and colorful fruits. They are naturally sweet and a great alternative to sugar.
Beans are a great source of protein and contain important minerals such as magnesium, potassium, zinc, and iron. These include black beans, red kidney beans, navy beans, garbanzo (chickpeas) beans, and pinto beans. You should eat these at least twice a week.
Here are anti-inflammatory foods to include in your diet: Blueberries, Blackberries, Cherries, Dark Grapes, Kale, Spinach, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, mustard greens, cabbage, scallions, leeks, broccoli, beans, lentils, onions, garlic, green tea, avocado, coconut, olives, walnuts, pistachios, pine nuts, almonds, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, dark chocolate, fish, spices
The alkaline diet is based on the idea that replacing acid-forming foods with alkalizing foods can improve your health. The body fluids of healthy individuals are naturally alkaline meaning they have a high pH, whereas the body fluids of the chronically ill tend to be more acidic with a low pH. Most degenerative diseases attributed to aging, cancer, osteoporosis, and heart disease have all been scientifically linked to calcium and other mineral deficiencies that result in the body fluids becoming acidic. Acidosis is a common factor in over 150 degenerative diseases. Adopting more alkalizing foods into your diet can have positive impacts on your overall health and help you to along the detoxification process.
Put simply, pH is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline something is.
The pH value ranges from 0–14:
Acidic: 0.0–6.9
Neutral: 7.0
Alkaline (or basic): 7.1–14.0
Incorporate Alkaline foods including:
Fruit
Unsweetened fruit juices
Raisins
Black currants
Vegetables (especially spinach)
Potatoes
Wine
Mineral soda water
Soy food
Legumes
Seeds
Nuts
Neutral foods: natural fats, starches, and sugars
Finally, people interested in trying an alkaline diet should avoid high-acid foods. These include:
Mycotoxins can cause oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is an intracellular imbalance that occurs in chronic disease where reactive oxygen species are not readily removed and detoxified into more inert compounds in the body. This results in cellular dysfunction leading to disease. The production of free radicals and peroxides are chemicals that cause intracellular organelle damage and prevent normal cellular function. Mycotoxin exposure significantly increases oxidative stress and therefore reduces glutathione. When glutathione is low, disease ensues.
However, glutathione can be replenished by an oral paste or liquid very effectively. When glutathione levels return to normal, proper cellular function ensues and often disease-causing symptoms diminish substantially. For more details please ask Dr. Marra for more details on how mycotoxins can cause oxidative stress in your next appointment.
Mycotoxins and mold are metabolites of fungal organisms that are toxic to the human body and exposure can be present in both food and air. Two food-borne mycotoxins are Aflatoxin and Ochratoxin. Aflatoxin is produced by many species of Aspergillus fungi and can be found in soil, peanut butter, olive oil, and some cosmetics. Ochratoxin is also produced by Aspergillus species and can be found in cereal, coffee, and wine. It too has disease-causing effects on the body and has a half-life of 35 days.
In September 2012, Dr. Dennis Hooper, director of Realtime Laboratories in Carrollton, Texas, presented information on the new technology available to investigate mycotoxins and mold exposure in patients. He has developed a urine PCR test for identifying mycotoxins, which are known causative agents in many chronic diseases and probably complicate healing from Lyme disease.
Additionally, Trichothecenes are airborne mycotoxins produced by several molds but most notably, Stachybotrys, otherwise known as “black mold.” Stachybotrys is a mold that arises from damp conditions and water leakage in homes. These toxins can produce significant irritation to the mucosal lining of the lungs, GI tract, bladder, and brain causing chronic illness. Patients exposed to Trichothecenes often report having severe headaches and brain fog which lessen when they change to a mold-free environment.
However, mycotoxins can get trapped in the body by adhering to fat cells or entering cells (especially adipocytes) causing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress for prolonged periods of time depletes intracellular glutathione and interferes with the cell’s ability to self-repair.
The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction was originally noted in 1895 by Dr. Jarisch who worked with Syphyllis (a spirochete) patients. In the 21st century, we observe Herxheimer reactions in tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease, also caused by a spirochete. A Herxheimer reaction (Herx) typically occurs hours to days after antimicrobial administration and is thought to be the result of endotoxins released into the bloodstream by dying spirochetes. The body’s immune system then responds to the endotoxins and the concurrent release of cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 6, and interleukin 8) which are chemical messenger molecules of the immune system producing exaggerated symptoms lasting 3 days up to several weeks.
Dr. Marra doses antibiotics specifically for the individual patient so that the Herxheimer reaction on a scale of 1-10, is about a 5. This is her own technique, and she feels that severe Herxheimer reactions over prolonged periods of time may cause tissue damage from the excessive release of endotoxins and cytokines. Tissues become friable as the result of chronic inflammation, not unlike what happens when a sponge is repeatedly used and the surface area becomes frayed. Dr. Marra is not convinced that this kind of tissue damage is reversible which is why she chooses to take the route of treatment that she does. However, many other physicians choose to treat more aggressively and seem to have good results. This is simply her own treatment preference.
The general description of a Herxheimer reaction is a temporary increase in symptoms but may also include the development of completely new symptoms. More specifically, the most common complaints of a Herx reaction are increased joint and muscle pain, headaches, chills, night sweats, fever (usually low grade), extreme fatigue, and brain fog or lack of mental clarity, drop in blood pressure, hives, or a rash of some sort. Worth noting here is that a rash or hives can sometimes be mistaken for an allergic reaction. It is up to the treating physician to determine this, but with close, experienced observation and the use of Benadryl, Alka Seltzer Gold, Quercitin, warm lemon water and vitamin C (see Herx management), unnecessary premature cessation of antibiotics may be prevented. In more severe cases of Herxheimer reactions, a reduction in the antibiotic dosage or cessation of the antimicrobials may be required.
The timing of a Herx reaction is very individualistic and can occur within days to weeks after the onset of antibiotic treatment. In some patients, a Herxheimer reaction occurs only once or twice, or not at all throughout treatment. It is clear however, that as you move through the treatment and the spirochetal load becomes decreased, the Herx reactions become less and less severe. Herxheimer reactions can also occur in cycles (usually 4 week cycles) and may be affected by the lunar cycle. This is anecdotal but it is an interesting observation in some people.
About 70-80% of people undergoing Lyme Disease treatment with antibiotics experience some sort of Herxheimer reaction. It is thought by a number of physicians and scientists that these people have difficulty in detoxification processes, and that perhaps there may be a defect in one of the detox pathways in the liver. This may be genetic, environmental or a combination of both. But without question, maintaining an alkaline diet and an “alkaline bioterrain” helps lessen the effects of a Herx reaction. The 20% of patients who do not experience a Herx reaction should not feel like they are getting nowhere by taking antibiotics. Discussion of this issue should be left to the patient and their treating physician.
The Herxheimer reaction (HERX) was originally noted in 1895 by Dr. Jarisch who worked with Syphyllis (a spirochete) patients. In the 21st century, we observe Herxheimer reactions in tick-borne illnesses such as Lyme Disease, also caused by a spirochete. A Herxheimer reaction (Herx) typically occurs hours to days after antimicrobial administration and is thought to be the result of endotoxins released into the bloodstream by dying spirochetes. The body’s immune system then responds to the endotoxins and the concurrent release of cytokines (i.e., tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 6, and interleukin 8) which are chemical messenger molecules of the immune system producing exaggerated symptoms lasting 3 days up to several weeks.
Dr. Marra doses antibiotics specifically for the individual patient so that the Herxheimer reaction on a scale of 1-10, is about a 5. This is her own technique, and she feels that severe Herxheimer reactions over prolonged periods of time may cause tissue damage from the excessive release of endotoxins and cytokines. Tissues become friable as a result of chronic inflammation, not unlike what happens when a sponge is repeatedly used and the surface area becomes frayed. Dr. Marra is not convinced that this kind of tissue damage is reversible which is why she chooses to take the route of treatment that she does. However, many other physicians choose to treat more aggressively and seem to have good results. This is simply her own treatment preference.
The general description of a Herxheimer reaction is a temporary increase in symptoms but may also include the development of completely new symptoms. More specifically, the most common complaints of a Herx reaction are increased joint and muscle pain, headaches, chills, night sweats, fever (usually low grade), extreme fatigue, brain fog or lack of mental clarity, drop in blood pressure, hives, or a rash of some sort. Worth noting here is that a rash or hives can sometimes be mistaken for an allergic reaction. It is up to the treating physician to determine this, but with close, experienced observation and the use of Benadryl, Alka Seltzer Gold, Quercitin, warm lemon water, and vitamin C (see Herx management), unnecessary premature cessation of antibiotics may be prevented. In more severe cases of Herxheimer reactions, a reduction in the antibiotic dosage or cessation of the antimicrobials may be required.
The timing of a Herx reaction is very individualistic and can occur within days to weeks after the onset of antibiotic treatment. In some patients, a Herxheimer reaction occurs only once or twice, or not at all throughout treatment. It is clear, however, that as you move through the treatment and the spirochetal load becomes decreased, the Herx reactions become less and less severe. Herxheimer reactions can also occur in cycles (usually 4-week cycles) and may be affected by the lunar cycle. This is anecdotal but it is an interesting observation in some people.
About 70-80% of people undergoing Lyme Disease treatment with antibiotics experience some sort of Herxheimer reaction. It is thought by a number of physicians and scientists that these people have difficulty in detoxification processes and that perhaps there may be a defect in one of the detox pathways in the liver. This may be genetic, environmental, or a combination of both. But without question, maintaining an alkaline diet and an “alkaline bio terrain” helps lessen the effects of a Herx reaction. The 20% of patients who do not experience a Herx reaction should not feel like they are getting nowhere by taking antibiotics. Discussion of this issue should be left to the patient and their treating physician.
Dyslipidemia is abnormal lipid metabolism. Patients who have had or have Lyme Disease often have significant abnormalities in their lipid metabolism. This results from chronic inflammation and prolonged activation of the proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha). Elevated cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL, and LDL are commonly seen, while HDL (the good cholesterol) is decreased. Dr. Jones and I believe that these elevations in cholesterol are not only related to diet and genetic predisposition but may be a compensatory response of the body in an attempt to repair cell membranes (that are composed of lipids) that have been damaged by infection. The piercing of the cell membrane by organisms such as Borrelia, Bartonella, and Mycoplasma on their way to the intracellular compartment where they prefer to reside, can render changes in lipid metabolism and increase lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation is a biochemical reaction resulting from damaged lipid-containing cells that increases the concentration of free radicals in the body and contributes to a state of overall oxidative stress. Oxidative stress affects not only cells but the vascular endothelium which can lead to increased stroke and myocardial infarction. The presence of biofilm created by spirochetes and other organisms also contributes to plaque formation in the arteries, which affects blood flow to peripheral tissues and the overall health of the cardiovascular system.
Optimizing lipid metabolism may require diet and lifestyle modifications as well as nutritional intervention. Dr. Marra’s extensive knowledge and experience in Lyme Disease and Functional Medicine will help you to regain optimal health in a reasonable amount of time.
For more detailed information about the glycemic index of foods (how much sugar they contain), please visit www.Mendosa.com and go to the food tab. You can search through the various options. This website is a phenomenal resource for everyone who wants to change their diet and needs help understanding what foods they can and can’t eat to improve their metabolic condition.
Unfortunately, there is great debate within the medical community regarding the existence and prevalence of the transmission of Lyme disease, co-infections, and parasites to the unborn fetus.
The medical community already recognizes that certain infections cross the placental barrier and they are known as “TORCH Syndrome” infections which include: Toxoplasmosis, Other (i.e., Syphilis), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes Simplex Virus. These infections become of great concern to the physician when unexplained birth defects occur in newborn babies. Antibody titer blood tests for “TORCH” infections in these babies yield insights into the cause of the birth defects, and this phenomenon is well established in the infectious disease medical community.
Operating purely from a perspective of common sense, if Syphilis crosses the placental barrier and can cause birth defects, why wouldn’t Borrelia, since they are both spirochetes and share similar gene sequences? During the 1980s, Dr. Alan MacDonald, a pathologist in Long Island, New York, wrote several scientific case studies documenting the presence of spirochetes in the tissues of both aborted fetal births, and children born with significant birth defects. Unfortunately, his research was largely ignored by the mainstream medical community for reasons that remain elusive to this day. Most likely, his work was ahead of its time.
Tessa Gardner, MD, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Washington, St. Louis, MO also wrote an entire chapter in a book devoted to infections of the unborn and newborn child, titled “Infectious Diseases of the Fetus and Newborn Infant” Philadelphia, Saunders, 2001. In this chapter, she discusses the possibility of Lyme Disease transmission from mother to child in utero.
Therefore, it is important to recognize that women who intend on becoming pregnant or who are pregnant and have Lyme disease, take the necessary precautions to prevent the transfer of Borrelia to their unborn child. This entails using appropriate antibiotics before, during, and after pregnancy, as it is also likely that Borrelia is transmitted through the mother’s milk (personal communication with Dr. Charles Ray Jones) to a developing infant.
Although there is sparse scientific evidence regarding congenital and gestational Lyme disease, the concept falls easily within the parameters of common sense and can be prevented, simply by appropriate antibiotic use during pregnancy.
Additionally, there is good reason to believe that certain cases of autism are in fact the result of congenital Lyme disease. Since Borrelia is known to be involved in a myriad of neurological disorders including ALS, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Multiple Sclerosis, logic follows that we might suspect similar involvement in childhood neurological disorders such as autism, ADHD, sensory integration, and processing difficulties, learning differences, dyslexia, Asperger’s Syndrome, and a host of other unexplained disorders. Here is a website that might be helpful for more information: Mothers Against Lyme.
For those of you who have Lyme disease and wish to become pregnant or who are pregnant, please consider consulting a “Lyme Literate Doctor” during your pregnancy to avoid unwanted complications that can be circumvented by the administration of antibiotics throughout pregnancy.
If you do have Lyme disease, it is also a good idea to do PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing on the cord blood and placenta for Borrelia, at the time of birth. You can contact Igenex at 800-832-3200 and order a test kit which can be available at the time of birth, so that blood and tissue samples can be assayed for spirochetal DNA.
As for the co-infections of Lyme disease, there is currently sparse evidence regarding the transmission of Babesia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Bartonella, Tularemia, Mycoplasma, and other zoonotic diseases to the unborn fetus and newborn infant. However, yet again, the application of common sense would suggest that these diseases are quite likely to cross the placental barrier just as Syphilis does, which has been extensively scientifically documented.
The importance of probiotics while undergoing Lyme Disease treatment cannot be under estimated. The human microbiome is composed of trillions of different bacteria that live harmoniously and perform various necessary physiological functions, especially in the intestines. These bacteria have specific nutritional needs just as we do to sustain life. Additionally, endigenous bacteria generally do not cause disease, unless the bio-terrain is altered by other infectious organisms, antibiotics, or poor diet. In this case, your “garden” becomes a “garden of weeds.”
While antibiotics are necessary to eradicate Lyme Disease and co-infections in most patients, great care should be taken to maintain a healthy microbiome while undergoing treatment. A plant based diet low in carbohydrates and plenty of water keeps inflammation at a minimum so that the antibiotics can work optimally to kill the pathogenic organisms.
But make no mistake…this is risky business because antibiotics not only kill the bad organisms, they also kill the good ones. Therefore, high dose, diverse, probiotics should be taken along side antibiotic therapy without question. Some of these can include:
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus plantarum
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
Saccharomyces boulardii
Additionally, pre-biotics in the form of FOS (fructooligosaccharides) may be necessary to balance the gut flora.
As you age, your gut microbiome becomes increasingly less able to optimally function. This gets exacerbated when you have multiple infections affecting the mucos
DO NOT donate blood. You have been infected with a bacteria that can live in the blood, and therefore can be passed onto someone else.
Carry a card in your wallet indicating that you have Lyme Disease (and co-infections if applicable) and the drugs that you are taking. This is important to alert health professionals in the case of an accident.
If you have having elective surgery, let your surgeon(s) know so that they can be aware. If you need blood, I would suggest auto-transfusion (you receive your own blood for a transfusion, instead of a separate donor) if necessary.
DO NOT have unprotected sex with your partner. These infections are thought to be sexually transmitted. Although there is little data to support this, we do know that syphilis is sexually transmitted, and therefore by deduction, Borrelia and the other tick-borne infections are likely as well.
If you are pregnant with Lyme Disease, you SHOULD be on safe antibiotics throughout the pregnancy in order to protect the developing fetus from contracting the disease.
At birth, have the newborn tested for Lyme Disease through cord blood, placenta, and foreskin if the baby is a boy. Three samples of cord blood are suggested. Ask for a test kit to be sent to you prior through Igenex (800) 832-3200.
If your infant tests PCR positive for Lyme Disease, you should consider antibiotics in order to prevent the development of full blown disease.
Nursing mothers SHOULD use caution. Lyme Disease is known to be transmitted through breast milk, and therefore, antibiotics during the nursing period is highly recommended.
If you are an outdoors person, it is highly recommended that you use some form of tick and insect repellant. Deet is recommended.
Frequently we see autoimmune diseases associated with Lyme Disease and coinfections such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Scleroderma, Graves Disease, Celiac Disease, etc. Essentially any tissue in the body can fall prey to autoimmune disease if the autoimmunity is driven by infection.
When pathogenic infections invade tissues, the bacteria produce LPS (lipopolysaccharides) which are found on their outer cell membrane and promote inflammation. These molecules are produced and fool the host’s immune system into thinking that there is a foreign invader. The body naturally mounts an immune response, but the response is against its own tissue, yielding autoimmune disease.
In 18 years of practice, most of my patients’ autoimmune conditions are completely eradicated with proper long-term antibiotic use as well as targeted nutraceuticals. If you decrease the infection in the tissue, the concentration of LPS decreases, inflammation decreases, and tissues can return to their healthy state. If the infection is allowed to persist, autoimmune disease simply gets worse.
It is my belief that most if not all autoimmune diseases are infection-driven. The challenge becomes to identify the exact pathogen and then treat it accordingly.
Historically, the defining features of inflammation include rubor (redness), calor (warmth), tumor (swelling), and dolor (pain), and there is a distinction between acute and chronic inflammation. Acute inflammation compromises the early response to an injurious agent and is a defensive response that fosters repair of the damaged site. Chronic inflammation results from stimuli that are persistently damaging to tissues. Inflammation is a way that the body reacts to infection, irritation, or other injury and is considered a nonspecific immune response. The inflammatory response directs immune cells to the site of injury or infection and is manifested by an increased blood supply coupled with vascular permeability. Microorganisms (i.e., bacteria, viruses, fungi) are then engulfed by neutrophils and macrophages (types of white blood cells) in an attempt to contain the infection to a smaller tissue space.
Systemic Inflammation and Cytokines
However, Lyme Disease can involve multi-organ systems rendering an inflammatory state that is a more generalized condition. Proinflammatory cytokines (chemical messenger molecules) are released by immune cells in response to a pathogen which in turn causes inflammation in the joints, muscles, heart, brain, gastrointestinal system, and urinary system. Spirochetes have an affinity for both collagen tissue and tissues that contain fatty acids (i.e., the brain), and bury deep within these substrates to avoid detection by the hosts’ immune system. This is one of the reasons why capturing the DNA (PCR test) of these microorganisms remains difficult because they simply don’t dwell in the blood. Hence, measuring the immune system’s antibody response to the pathogen(s) is the best choice for demonstrating pathogen exposure and infection.
Inflammation becomes particularly concerning when the brain is involved. Microglial cells (immune cells of the brain) become activated in response to an insult or injury and cause localized inflammation. When spirochetes reach the brain, an immune response is activated and inflammation occurs. Patients experience the feeling of swelling in their head or eyes or pressure in their head. This may also be the result of increased intracranial pressure secondary to infection and inflammation.
When the microglial cells of the brain become activated, a particular brain biochemical pathway known as the “kynurenine pathway” becomes involved and the production of a highly toxic molecule known as “quinolinic acid’ results from the metabolism of the amino acid tryptophan. Quinolinic acid can be thought of as equivalent to “battery acid” in the brain where it literally causes neuronal destruction through increased free radical production as is observed in Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and ALS.
There are many natural therapies to combat inflammation and help minimize the effects of quinolinic acid in the brain. This will result in less brain fog, confusion, a recovery of memory and function, and greater mood stability. I have been working with this paradigm for quite some time with great success. The general idea is to DECREASE inflammation so that tissue damage is minimized and nutritive healing takes place. An analogy here is the following: when a person becomes heated and angered, they are less likely to receive the opinion of an opponent. Likewise, when tissues are inflamed, they are less likely to properly receive and utilize nutrients, water, and metabolize medications. In essence, inflamed tissues are unable to perform adequate metabolic functions for optimal organ health.
Any tick that is attached to the skin should be removed carefully and quickly using the following guidelines:
Using small tweezers, grasp the head of the tick at the skin and hold firmly without squishing it, and pull STRAIGHT OUT without twisting or turning it. There may be some resistance as ticks secrete a cement-like substance that allows them a tight hold on the skin site of attachment.
Place the tick in a small jar and save it to send to Igenex, Inc. for PCR/DNA testing of the tick for Lyme Disease.
NEVER squeeze or burn a tick.
NEVER use any ointments at the site of the tick bite.
Clean the tick bite site thoroughly with alcohol.
Phone your physician and make an appointment immediately.
Monitor the site of the tick bite and note any strange rashes.
Take a magic marker and draw an outline around the edge of the rash so the Lyme Literate physician can see the extent of the rash. The marker won’t wear off in a shower if you have to wait to see the physician.
Take a picture of the rash, and bring the picture with you to the doctor’s office so that if the rash fades, the physician can still assess it.
Rashes can also occur on the body other than at the site of the tick bite so make note of these as well.
Fleas, mosquitoes, sand flies, and probably any biting insect may also transmit Lyme Disease, so if you have suspicious swelling after an insect bite, take a picture of it and bring that picture to a Lyme Literate doctor’s office.
Tick-borne diseases are a 21st-century epidemic in most geographical areas of the United States and Europe, China, Japan, Australia, South America, and Africa. Greater awareness regarding the spread of these diseases is gaining momentum as we enter the “Decade of the Microbe.” However, the multidimensional impact of Lyme disease in particular on our most vulnerable population, children, is still under substantial scrutiny by the medical establishment despite numerous scientific articles demonstrating clear and contrary evidence.,
Children are among the most vulnerable to tick-borne illness simply because they spend time outdoors, play low to the ground where ticks often reside, and are more likely to come into physical contact with these arthropods. At the same time, they show affection to family pets.
The northeast United States was where Lyme disease was first noted in 1975, among a population of children who demonstrated swollen sore knees, sore throats, fever, malaise, and debilitating fatigue. This observation was made by a housewife, Polly Murray, who, to this day, is mainly responsible for recognizing the first outbreak of Lyme disease in Lyme, Connecticut. At the same time, Dr. Charles Ray Jones, located in New Haven, Connecticut, not far from Lyme, Connecticut, who is now the world’s leading pediatric Lyme disease specialist, agreed with Mrs. Murray’s observations and began successfully treating many of these children with long term multiple antibiotics.
Dr. Jones was the first pediatrician to recognize the widespread prevalence of Lyme disease in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, and Maine. As of December 2010, Delong-Termas treated over 20,000 children with various tick-borne diseases using long-term antibiotics. Notably, most of these children recover and move on to do great things in the world. At the age of 85, Dr. Jones continues to commit his life’s work to the healing and well-being of children who have Lyme disease. For a more detailed description of his contributions to pediatric Lyme disease, please see his website at Dr. Jones Kids. To view an in-depth interview with Dr. Jones, please watch the documentary “Under Our Skin,” which can be purchased at www.openeyepictures.com.
As a mentor to Dr. Marra for six years, Dr. Jones taught her the detailed intricacies of diagnosing and treating multiple tick-borne infections in children. He encouraged her to look for the “subtle” nuances and the effects of tick-borne disease on developing bodies and brains. His unrelenting perseverance for the truth about the prevalence of Lyme disease in children has made him an international treasure. Dr. Marra is grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him.
As a result of working with Dr. Jones, she is well-trained in pediatric Lyme disease and co-infection treatment. She fosters her interest in this medical niche by attending annual ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) conferences while discussing complex cases with Dr. Jones and maintaining frequent professional dialogue with other Lyme-literate doctors.
Dr. Marra feels privileged to know Dr. Jones and is thankful for his willingness to mentor her. She is fortunate enough to know someone with experience in the medical management of pediatric and adolescent Lyme disease. Dr. Marra utilizes his wisdom and insights daily in her practice, and Pediatric/Adolescent Lyme disease remains one of her greatest professional strengths. Dr. Marra intends to continue practicing medicine for tick-borne illness with the skills she has obtained in 22 years of training and over 7,300 patients with Dr. Jones’ principles at the core of her treatment plans. She remains a colleague and a friend of Dr. Jones and hopes to continue his legacy with as much commitment to healing children as he does throughout his more significant 60-year medical career. Dr. Jones is without question an honorable man who dedicated his life to a most worthy cause. For that, the world is no doubt a better place, despite the continued controversy over antibiotic treatment for chronic Lyme disease.
Adult Lyme disease cases have reached epidemic proportions in the last decade due to a variety of factors including climate change allowing for continued tick replication throughout the year, urban housing development in rural areas where deer inhabit and are known tick vectors, and an increase in the deer population. Most importantly, the development of appropriate scientific tools such as tests, are needed to document the presence and exposure to Borrelia in blood and urine, which are known bacterial pathogens causing a multitude of various waxing and waning symptoms known as Lyme disease.
Lyme disease and mold toxicity, also known as the “Great Imitators”, can mimic many other diseases, especially in adults, where a proper diagnosis can be difficult. They are diseases that affect multi-organ systems, causing local and systemic inflammation while rendering tissues, cells, and organelles unable to cope with the daily demands of everyday life.
In adults, Lyme disease and mold are often accompanied by crushing fatigue and disorders of the autoimmune, hormonal, neurological, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems that make it difficult for a definitive diagnosis. Nonetheless, appropriate diagnostic testing is required to fully understand the scope of the illnesses in question.
Having trained as an ILADS preceptor under the tutelage of Dr. Richard Horowitz in Hyde Park, NY, a leading Lyme disease expert, it is Dr. Marra’s belief that an integrated approach to Lyme disease and co-infection treatment is the most effective way to eradicate tick-borne illness. Depending on the patient and severity of the disease, she uses rotating combinations, peptides, botanical medicines, and nutrition to maximize the healing from this all too often debilitating disease.
Without question, the sooner you receive proper diagnosis and treatment, the more likely you will fully recover.
There is a patient population however, that has difficulty detoxifying from the endotoxins released into the blood from dying spirochetes. These patients require skillful antibiotics and herbal medical management in order to heal. At least half of Dr. Marra’s 22 years of experience has been treating adults with chronic Lyme disease and co-infections, and she believes that the ability to heal is largely accomplished through a solid doctor/patient relationship where truthful dialogue is achieved so that the doctor can make informed decisions about how to proceed with treatment. Dr. Marra works with many other Lyme Literate doctors that she keeps in constant contact with in order to share insights and wisdom with regard to progressive therapeutic techniques.
Dr. Marra is grateful for the outstanding colleagues that she has, as well as her courageous patients who persevere in treatment, knowing that one day they will be well and free of the often debilitating effects of tick-borne illness.
When dealing with chronic illness, the more information, and support that you have the better. Below, you will find some resources for Lyme disease, chronic illness, and more that may be helpful and provide a lot of additional information.
The Bacterial Biofilm is a sticky, viscous negatively charged substance similar to “bacterial slime”, composed of mucopolysaccharides and DNA, and stabilized by minerals and probably heavy metal molecules. Plaque found on teeth surfaces is an example of a biofilm. Biofilm adheres to aqueous environmental surfaces like vascular endothelium and proliferates. Most types of bacteria secrete some form of this substance which allows them to dwell in the vasculature and extracellular matrix of tissues while also living in a community. By utilizing cell adhesion molecules, the bacteria bind to surfaces, “seed”, and form new colonies allowing for continued proliferation.
A biofilm community can be comprised of more than one bacterial species (and viral species) that cohabitate and engage in “quorum sensing”, an evolutionarily old form of bacterial communication. This is important as we begin to unravel the mysteries encased within the complicated architecture of biofilm. Biofilm resembles “cheesecloth” where it is negatively charged, loose, fluid, and anchored at certain places by positively charged ions including calcium, magnesium, mercury, lead, etc… This may be why when a Borreliosis/Lyme disease patient undergoes heavy metal chelation, they often experience an exacerbation of symptoms. Chelation of minerals and metals essentially destabilizes the biofilm, rendering the inhabiting bacteria more vulnerable to the hosts’ immune system and antimicrobials. Additionally, a recent study demonstrated that bacteria actually sense the presence of ammonia which ultimately regulates the social behavior of species contained within the biofilm community. The ability to sense ammonia leads the microorganisms to nutritional sources such as proteins which are nitrogen-containing molecules so that feeding can take place.
Dr. Alan MacDonald, a highly regarded Borreliosis/Lyme disease researcher in New York, demonstrated that Borrelia species not only produce biofilm, but can live in the community in any form (i.e., spirochete, L form, spheroplast, and cyst). Additionally, other zoonotic bacteria such as Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Mycoplasma species inhabit these communities as well. The bacterial biofilm is used to both protect the bacteria from the hosts’ immune system, while also serving as a nutritional reservoir in times of harsh environmental conditions. It’s a very evolutionarily old and efficient way to ensure that many bacteria of a certain species survive, thrive, and replicate. Essentially, it is “bacterial commune living.”
The biofilm can adequately prevent antibiotics from reaching pathogenic bacteria and this may account for some people developing chronic Borreliosis/Lyme symptoms. The film is effectively protecting many bacterial species that can later escape the community, reproduce and move on to inhabit other tissues.
Currently, it is not scientifically known how to permanently degrade the biofilm, however, it is known that proteolytic enzymes are very effective at dissolving mucopolysaccharides. Typically, biofilm is degraded by enzymes including:
Bromelain
Lactoferrin
Lumbrokinase
N-Acetylcystein
Nattokinase
Serrapeptase
Wobenzym
Xylitol
Also, the peptide, KPV is great at degrading bacterial biofilm.
The hypothalamus and pituitary are small organs in the brain that are largely responsible for the regulation of most neuroendocrine functions throughout the body. They interact with each other as well as end organs such as the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands, the ovaries, testes, etc…via precise feedback systems which regulate hormone secretion.
Hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency is common in tick-borne disease manifesting as, hypothyroidism, adrenal exhaustion, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian disease and a host of other hormone mediated diseases. The phenomenon of infectious disease causing such widespread and variable neuroendocrine disorders has not been systematically studied but is often clinically observed and requires nutritional, herbal and sometimes pharmacologic intervention. Return of normal hormone function is important in patients with Lyme Disease if healing is to occur.
The causal mechanism for disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-end organ axis in Lyme Disease is not well understood, however, the hypothalamus is encased in collagen, which is known to be a place where spirochetes reside to avoid detection by the host’s immune .
In order to regain health, all of the hormonal systems need to be balanced and normalized. Additionally, nerve cells (axons) are encased in a myelin sheath composed of fatty acids, a substance that spirochetes are known to utilize. Spirochete residence and inflammation in the hypothalamus or pituitary may cause disruption of normal hormone regulation. However, proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 produced by the host’s immune system in response to an infectious agent may also cause hormonal dysregulation. Magement of these neuroendocrine pathways can be achieved only after identifying which organs (if any) are affected. Consult your doctor with concerns about optimal hormonal health, as hormones are also intricately involved in more subtle signs of health such as a sense of well-being and optimism.
The hypothalamus and pituitary are small organs in the brain that are largely responsible for the regulation of most neuroendocrine functions throughout the body which regulate hormones. They interact with each other as well as end organs such as the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands, the ovaries, testes, etc…via precise feedback systems which regulate hormone secretion.
Hypothalamic-pituitary insufficiency is common in tick-borne diseases manifesting as, hypothyroidism, adrenal exhaustion, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian disease, and a host of other hormone-mediated diseases. The phenomenon of infectious disease-causing such widespread and variable neuroendocrine disorders has not been systematically studied but is often clinically observed and requires nutritional, herbal, and sometimes pharmacologic intervention. Return of normal hormone function is important in patients with Lyme Disease if healing is to occur.
The causal mechanism for disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-end organ axis in Lyme Disease is not well understood, however, the hypothalamus is encased in collagen, which is known to be a place where spirochetes reside to avoid detection by the host’s immune.
In order to regain health, all of the hormonal systems need to be balanced and normalized. Additionally, nerve cells (axons) are encased in a myelin sheath composed of fatty acids, a substance that spirochetes are known to utilize. Spirochete residence and inflammation in the hypothalamus or pituitary may cause disruption of normal hormone regulation. However, pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 produced by the host’s immune system in response to an infectious agent may also cause hormonal dysregulation. Management of these neuroendocrine pathways can be achieved only after identifying which organs (if any) are affected. Consult your doctor with concerns about optimal hormonal health, as hormones are also intricately involved in more subtle signs of health such as a sense of well-being and optimism.
Andropause is the natural male equivalent of menopause, characterized by a declining state in DHEA and testosterone levels, beginning as early as age 30. When a man has chronic Lyme Disease, persistent inflammation and infection cause significant dysfunction in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, which ultimately leads to the decreased production of the androgen steroid hormones.
Symptoms of low DHEA:
Decreased energy
Decreased libido
Decreased muscle strength
Depression
Difficulty dealing with stress
Fatigue
Irritability
Inability to concentrate
Insomnia
Symptoms of low testosterone:
Anxiety
Depression
Low libido
Inability to maintain erection
Poor memory
Inability to multitask
Irritable
Poor stamina
Weight Gain
DHEA has a protective effect against:
Autoimmune Diseases
Cancer
Heart Disease
High cholesterol
Diabetes
Obesity
Bioidentical hormone replacement of testosterone can be done very safely with the proper laboratory evaluation and follow-up. Generally, men feel much better and gain a much greater sense of well-being when testosterone levels are returned to normal. Consideration of other hormones such as cortisol, insulin growth factor, insulin, and growth hormone are often needed, as all of these hormones are intricately related to the maintenance of optimal health.
BHRT, or bioidentical hormone treatment, is a method of balancing hormones that are naturally based using yams, soy, or peanut oil. It IS NOT the use of synthetic hormones. For women and men, it is essential to maintain a healthy balance of hormones throughout life, as the estrogens (estrone, estradiol, and estriol), progesterone, DHEA, pregnenolone, and testosterone all play a significant role in maintaining health in differing doses and combinations at differing times in life. These hormones form an intricate web that interacts with many other hormones such as insulin, cortisol, and thyroid hormones, allowing for healthy bodily function.
Hormones regulate cellular functions and essentially direct the actions of either anabolism (to build) or catabolism (to use) which should remain in balance to remain healthy. Alterations in one hormone generally affect the production and release of other hormones.
When a patient is stressed by the presence of chronic infection(s), changes in cortisol, thyroid, and sex hormones frequently occur. Inflammation mediated by proinflammatory cytokines compromises cellular and tissue function which interferes with optimal organ function. Additionally, because all of the hormones work in concert, changes in cortisol production and release do not only affect the sex hormones, but also the metabolic hormones such as insulin, somatostatin, and leptin. In addition to thyroid hormone dysregulation and mitochondrial dysfunction, this may be one of the reasons Lyme Disease patients often gain weight. They are in general, hormonally compromised.
By using bioidentical hormone treatment, is a method of balancing hormones that are naturally based using yams, soy, or peanut oil, thyroid replacement, adaptogens (herbs that help to regulate cortisol), lifestyle modifications, and diet, we can correct the hormonal imbalances with natural substances (i.e., botanical medicines and herbs) using a combination of creams and oral capsules to optimize hormone function. Patients will experience a greater sense of well-being which will dramatically contribute to their ability to heal from infection(s).
Women who have had or have Lyme Disease often have a difficult time during Menopause. They may experience a “flare” in their symptoms due to the declining levels of estradiol and progesterone primarily, but also thyroid hormone, cortisol, DHEA, pregnenolone, testosterone, and growth hormone. Weight gain around the midsection is common for women in perimenopause and menopausal states and can become even more of a problem when Lyme Disease is present due to metabolic dysequilibrium.
The bacteria that causes Lyme Disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, as well as coinfections such as Babesia, Bartonella, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Q Fever, Ehrlichia, etc… initiate the activation of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, and TNF alpha. This creates an internal condition of “endotoxemia”, in which the neuroimmune excitotoxicity causes the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to “behave” irregularly, affecting hormonal signaling to tissues. During a women’s time of hormonal transition, these factors can contribute to exacerbations in fatigue, brain fog, poor memory, insomnia, mood lability, inability to multitask, headaches, increased joint pain, digestive issues, increased allergies, and a host of other symptoms that were not previously present, or were present to a lesser extent.
Symptoms of Progesterone Deficiency (P4) which declines more quickly than estrogen levels and contributes to an even greater hormonal imbalance:
Abdominal Bloating
Depression
Emotional
Irritability
Insomnia
Mood Swings
Water Retention
Weight Gain
Symptoms of Estrogen Deficiency (usually Estradiol – E2):
Anxiety
Brain Fog
Breasts lose their shape and elongate
Dizziness
Dry Skin
Flushing
Frequent urination and frequent urinary infections
Heart Palpitations
Night Sweats
Restless sleep
Vaginal Dryness
Risks associated with Estrogen deficiency:
Depression
Digestive difficulties
Heart attack and cardiovascular disease
Metabolic Disorders
Osteoporosis
Vaginal infections
Symptoms of metabolic imbalance in menopause:
Allergies
Arthritis
Anxiety
Bloating
Food cravings (alcohol, caffeine, sugar)
Headaches
Poor memory
Difficulty handling stress
Difficulty with sleep
Dr. Marra is particularly aware of these difficulties that women experience during this time of declining hormones and will help them regain hormonal balance which results in a better sense of well-being and general overall health. She uses only bioidentical hormones coupled with botanicals and vitamins if needed and generally has great success in returning patients to optimal health. Additionally, Dr. Marra treats underlying metabolic issues that result from chronic infection, which also contribute to symptom flares during perimenopause and menopause. Having experienced all this herself, she brings not only professional experience, but personal experience as well.
Menopause can be a joyous time, as a woman enters a new phase of life, but imbalanced hormones can disrupt that joy.
Biotoxin illness is an invisible disease that results from exposure to toxins such as mycotoxins including ochratoxin, aflatoxin, trichothecene, and gliotoxin among others, or toxins from microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and molds. Inflammagens such as endotoxins, mannans, proteinases, and even EMFs initiate a vicious cycle of inflammation called “chronic inflammatory response syndrome” coined by Dr. Shoemaker. Chronic inflammation is the result of the immune system’s desperate attempt to combat and remove these toxins, but the immune system becomes overactivated. Proinflammatory cytokines such as Il-6, Il-8, Il-10, and TNF alpha are released by immune cells, and upregulation of TGF-Beta 1 and C4a and VEGF occurs. The cytokines bind to their receptors and cause the release of MMP9 in the blood. MMP9 affects the release of MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) from the hypothalamus, causing patients to be unable to thermoregulate, suffer sleep dysregulation, and develop leaky gut syndrome. The ensuing immune activation can also cause hypercoagulation (clotting of the blood) and restricted blood flow, resulting in cellular and tissue hypoxia (low oxygen concentration). Decreased production of VEGF can manifest as muscle cramping, headache, and shortness of breath.
Additionally, biotoxins generally have a specific affinity for fat cells because they can “stick” to them and disrupt the extracellular matrix. This makes it particularly difficult to remove these toxins as typically would occur by the liver and kidney. Depending on the type of toxin present, toxin binders such as Bentonite clay, NAC, Charcoal, Zeolite, Apple Pectin, Chlorella, Cholestyramine, and/or Welchol may be used in order to facilitate the removal of these toxins from the fat cells. Additionally, green juicing, glutathione, colonics, and infrared saunas may also help to remove these toxins more quickly.
Most importantly, if you are exposed to a water-damaged building, or are breathing mycotoxins from a previously damaged building, PLEASE REMOVE YOURSELF IMMEDIATELY FROM THAT ENVIRONMENT. No amount of intervention will help you regain your health if you are continually exposed to biotoxins. Please contact Dr. Marra’s office right away so that she can help you solve your disease-causing puzzle. She can help you navigate the difficult terrain of identifying reputable companies to help you clean up your biotoxin illness issues.
Please check out Dr. Shoemaker’s website for more information on The Biotoxin Pathway.
Natural killer cells (CD57 cells) were first noted by a Swedish researcher, Rolf Kiessling in the 1970s, and are a type of T cell, representing a significant component of the innate immune system.
CD57 cells do not produce antibodies against a foreign pathogen, but rather, are activated by chemical messenger molecules derived from macrophages including interleukin- 2, 12, 15, and 18, and interferon. Natural killer cells circulate in the blood and possess cytotoxic properties whereby their primary responsibility is to “kill” viral and bacterial pathogens.
Recently, natural killer cells have also been implicated in autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune illness is characterized by the patient’s own immune system attacking “self” tissue, thereby mounting an inappropriate immune response. Autoimmune disease can be divided into two forms: 1) tissue-specific diseases such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis, or 2) systemic diseases such as lupus. In both forms of the autoimmune disease, there is an auto-reactive T-cell response against the self.
Autoimmune disease is frequently clinically observed in patients with chronic Lyme Disease. As Lyme Disease is known as “The Great Imitator,” underlying Borrelia infection may be present in common autoimmune diseases such as Lupus, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Multiple Sclerosis, Sjogren’s Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Diabetes.
In 2001, Dr. Raphael Stricker, a San Francisco Hematologist, was largely responsible for identifying abnormal CD 57 cell numbers in chronic Lyme Disease patients. He and his associates documented that those patients exhibiting significant neurological symptoms had lower CD57 cell counts than those with musculoskeletal symptoms. Additionally, it was found that once the underlying Borrelia infection began to be treated, CD57 cell number increased. Dr. Stricker’s work suggests that decreased CD57 cells may reflect an immune defect induced by the Borrelia spirochete that allows the infection to persist, or that a pre-existing immunodeficiency of natural killer cells predisposes patients to be more prone to contracting Lyme Disease.
In any case, clearly, there is a relationship between CD 57 cell number and chronic Lyme Disease, and therefore we can use this as a “biomarker” for therapeutic intervention with
EMF (Electromagnetic) sensitivity is increasing as 5G rolls out and new cell towers are being built to accommodate the shift in EMFs. Humans generate their own magnetic field at a much lower strength than what we find in our environment with satellites, cell phones, laptops, microwaves, electronic appliances, electric cars, etc…There are non-thermal (heat) effects on our tissues, organs, and cells.
Dr. Thomas Rau at the Paracelsus clinic in Lustmühle, Switzerland demonstrated that cultures have shown beneficial bacteria grow more slowly in the presence of EMF, allowing for pathogenic bacteria to dominate. This could be a very important factor in healing from tick-borne illness.
Non-ionizing Radiation – Microwaves, Smart Meters, Computers, WiFi Routers, Cellphones, Bluetooth Devices, Power Lines, MRI’s
Ionizing – Ultraviolet, X-Rays
People with heavy metal toxicity are much more sensitive to EMFs because the metals in them conduct electricity, causing symptoms to worsen. There is no real treatment for EMF sensitivity, other than to remove all devices from your living space and eat a plant-based diet rich in antioxidants.
Environmental medicine refers to discovering and treating a myriad of environmental insults including infections, mold, mycotoxins, toxic foods, EMF, chemical poisoning, etc… that may cause symptoms. Each of these environmental insults can cause significant alterations in individual genetic expression. In other words, you are born with genetic potential, but disease-causing genes may only be turned “on” in response to exposure to significant environmental stressors. These stressors alter the genome by adhering to cell walls or entering the nucleus of a cell, causing severe inflammation (CIRS – chronic inflammatory response syndrome coined by Dr. Shoemaker) and disrupting normal cellular functions such detoxification, autophagy (self-cleaning), methylation, sulfation, glucuronidation, and acetylation. These are necessary biochemical processes for the health of cells, tissues, organs, and whole bodies, and when they become disrupted, disease ensues.
The science of “epigenomics” is an emerging science resulting from the genomic era, where we are now able to examine the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that predispose patients to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of histamine, pesticides, certain foods, pollution, EMFs, mycotoxins, molds, vaccines, etc… causing serious illness such as autoimmune diseases, autism, IBS, eczema, headaches, neuropathy, neuralgia, CFS, arthralgia, night sweats, and a myriad of other symptoms. In other words, epigenomics is the study of the way in which environmental exposures alter individual genetic expression to cause disease. Dr. Marra is able to help you identify where you may have genetic weaknesses or SNPs that predispose you to certain diseases.
Lipopolysaccharides are large molecules composed of sugars and fats which are endotoxins found within a bacterial cell. LPS is secreted as part of the normal physiological activity of membrane vesicle trafficking and protects the membrane from certain chemical attacks. LPS activates the hosts’ immune response by stimulating white blood cells (i.e., neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells) to secrete certain enzymes that deactivate them. Additionally, these WBC’s secrete proinflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and eicosanoids, and the resulting cellular response is the release of superoxide, a free radical that causes oxidative stress. This may function as an adaptive host strategy to manage the toxic effects of LPS.
LPS and inflammation may be the most important factors contributing to the varied clinical manifestations of infections, especially for tick-borne pathogens. Excessive release of LPS can lead to endotoxemia (septicemia) and requires immediate medical attention.
It is thought that lipooligosaccharides may cause autoimmune disease (i.e., multiple sclerosis) by a mechanism known as molecular mimicry. Many bacteria employ molecular mimicry strategies to fool the hosts’ immune systems.
Scientists believe that lingering LPS long after a bacterial infection has been eradicated may cause continued host immunosuppression and persistent symptoms. It has been proposed that if LPS is not removed, illness is likely to continue.
Cellular detox using German biological medicines and herbs can help reduce the effects of endotoxemia. Toxin binders such as apple pectin, chlorella, zeolite, charcoal, and Cholestyramine may also be useful.
Perhaps one of the oldest and most effective ways to cleanse the body is to fast or eat a solely plant-based diet. This may not be appropriate for all patients so it is best to discuss this with your physician.
For more information about Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Endotoxins ask Dr. Marra during your next visit!
Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a spirochetal infection caused by Borrelia hermseii, Borrelia miyamotoi, and several other less well-known bacterial species. Tick-borne relapsing fever is found in Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Asia, Canada, and the western United States. Rodents are the primary reservoir and ticks are the likely vector for this disease. Tick-borne Relapsing Fever is best diagnosed by PCR testing.
Symptoms of TBRF include:
Fever
Malaise
Cognitive Dysfunction
Fatigue
Body Aches
Other transient and nebulous symptoms vary from patient to patient
Fungal Infections As Co-infections or Secondary Infections in Lyme Disease Patients Who Are Immunocompromised
As of 2018, recent research by Fry Laboratories in Scottsdale, Arizona, suggests that, at least in some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and arthritis, the fungus may be the actual problem. This should come as no surprise because fungi, bacteria, and viruses have been coevolving on Earth and in hosts for millions and millions of years. Fungi are found throughout the environment and especially in soil, air, water, and in normal healthy people, they may not pose a problem. However, in patients who are immunocompromised, fungal infections can be VERY problematic.
Candida is a well-known yeast in the intestines that feeds on sugar and can become symptom-causing in patients who have a poor diet of carbohydrates and sugar. BUT…this is not the only fungus that immunocompromised patients are susceptible to. There are many other fungi that are disease-causing but diagnostic testing was severely lacking. Things have changed now. Fry Labs has a urine, blood, or stool DNA sequencing test that most insurance companies cover. Disease-causing fungi such as:
Entomophthoromycota – contains pathogens of insects
Ascomycota – parasitize mammals and cause systemic infection
Basidiomycota – airborne cells that can cause pneumonia
Aspergillus – causes pneumonia, sinusitis, and brain abscesses
Fusarium – spreads through the bloodstream and can cause skin infections
Mucorales – airborne and dangerous to patients with diabetes and uncontrolled blood sugar
These are simply a few of the fungal organisms that can be problematic to human health and fully recovering from Lyme Disease. But there is a test for these now and we can specifically identify them and treat them so that the total pathogen load on the immune system is reduced.
Without question, fungal infections can be treated by both herbs and/or anti-fungal medications, but you MUST know which infection(s) you have so that you can get on the right medication. Some natural antifungals include:
Caprylic Acid
Garlic
Oregano Oil
Neem
Cloves
Black Walnut
Cinnamon
Coconut Oil
Ginger
Some medications that treat fungal infections include:
Nystatin
Diflucan
Ketoconazole
Sporanox
Itraconazole
However, anti-fungal medications are typically hard on the liver and routine monthly blood tests to check for liver enzymes is a MUST. Pulsing anti-fungal medication is also a good idea.
Talk with Dr. Marra if you would like to be tested for fungus other than Candida through Fry Labs. You won’t be sorry that you did this test.
Ehrlichia chafeensis (HME), Ehrlichia ewengii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum(HGE), are emerging zoonotic diseases, especially in areas where human urban living encroaches on endemic tick areas. These bacteria are largely found in mammals residing in the southeastern, south-central, and mid-Atlantic areas of the United States, and according to the CDC, most cases are reported in the states of Maryland, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Ehrlichia and Anaplasma bacteria have also been noted in Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Slovenia, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Russia, and Japan. However, similar to other tick-borne diseases, migratory birds probably play a significant role in disease spread around the globe, and these bacteria (HGE and HME) are likely found in other areas of the world not yet identifying and reporting the disease. Of note, Ehrlichia in particular is known to be a veterinary disease largely seen in horses and dogs.
Ehrlichia and Anaplasma are intracellular obligate bacteria that require a host for replication and a vector for transmission (i.e., ticks). Human signs and symptoms of these diseases are often not accompanied by a “Bullseye rash”, however, there may be redness and heat at the site of the tick bite. HME or HGE illness can occur quickly (depending on the number of bacteria delivered to the host at the bite site), or it can develop more slowly over time as the bacteria replicate and proliferate in the host. Generally, clinically presenting symptoms can include fever, stiff neck, joint pain, muscle aches, headache, chills, malaise, nausea, and diarrhea. Elevated serum liver enzymes including ALT and AST may also occur, lending clues to the underlying bacterial infection in question.
HGE and HME are serologically diagnosed using antibody titer tests or by using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) which demonstrates the presence of bacterial DNA in the blood and therefore exposure to the bacteria that cause Ehrlichiosis. Careful determination of these bacterial infections is important because the presence of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Brucella, Typhus, and Q fever (also zoonotic diseases) can cause false-positive serology for Ehrlichia.
Occasionally, these infections can require hospitalization, especially for pain management which results from the activation of acute and prolonged pro-inflammatory cytokine release and tissue damage due to the host’s immune system activation.
An integrated medicine treatment approach to Ehrlichia and Anaplasma infections, where a combination of immune-supportive herbs, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics in rotation, are recommended and generally yield favorable outcomes. However, not unlike other tick-borne infections, when the infection(s) are diagnosed early (less than 12 months from the time of the tick bite) prior to dissemination throughout the body, a return to health is maximized.
In the next decade, cutting-edge research on genomics, proteomics, and the cellular microbiology of these bacterial infections is likely to reveal additional therapeutic agents (i.e., herbal, nutritional, and pharmacological). Future therapeutic interventions may focus on disengaging adhesin molecules that bind to white blood cells, which interfere with the replication and proliferation of these bacteria in the host. Around the world, more and more researchers are becoming interested in developing effective new therapeutics for eradicating these diseases.
Brucellosis is a zoonotic and tick-borne disease caused by the bacteria Brucella melitensis, and is an ancient disease, dating back to the 5th plague of Egypt around 1600 BC. Archeological excavation of Egyptian human bones dating around 750 BC demonstrated evidence of osteoarticular abnormalities that are often symptom complications from a Brucellosis infection. Brucella is found all over the world, especially in countries that rely heavily on agriculture, livestock, and dairy products such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and central Asia.
David Bruce was the first scientist to identify the bacteria Brucella melitensis in British soldiers stationed on Malta (an island in Italy) who developed severe fever leading to the name “Malta Fever” for this disease complex. In 1897, a Danish veterinarian, L.F. Bernhard Bang, discovered a bacillus bacteria in cattle and termed it “Bang’s Disease.” However, an American scientist, Alice Evans, famous for her work on pathogenic bacteria in dairy products, confirmed that Malta Fever and Bang’s Disease were caused by the same bacteria now known as Brucella melitensis. Alice Evans was largely responsible for instituting the pasteurization process of dairy products to prevent human disease in the United States.
To date, there are 9 species of Brucella, (5 are pathogenic to humans), and in 1990 it was discovered that Brucella was also found in marine mammals. Brucella species are facultative, intracellular, Gram-negative, coccobacilli, and nonmotile due to the lack of flagella. Sheep or goat’s milk consumption is a significant source of Brucellosis infection, so minimizing the natural animal reservoirs for this disease is important for curbing disease outbreaks.
Symptoms of Brucellosis include fever, night sweats with a strange odor, chills, weakness, malaise, insomnia, anorexia, headache, joint pain, constipation, nervousness, depression, and impotence. Many organ systems can be affected by Brucella infection including the: brain (encephalitis), heart (endocarditis), joints (arthritis), testes (orchitis), and prostate gland (prostatitis).
Mothers who are breastfeeding may transmit the infection to their infants and sexual transmission has also been reported in the scientific literature.
Diagnosis of Brucellosis is confirmed using antibody titer tests, IgM, and IgG which demonstrates exposure to the Brucella bacteria.
Integrated medicine treatment for Brucellosis including herbal and nutrient immune support coupled with antimicrobial herbs and antibiotics generally yields very positive outcomes. However, Brucella can have varied effects on individuals so the length of treatment time is variable.
If you have additional questions or concerns please contact our office.
Vector-borne bacterial infections such as Lyme disease can be a serious infection caused by Borrelia species, also known as a spirochete, which is transmitted via a tick bite (perhaps also flea and mosquito bites). Many strains of Borrelia exist, and some do not cause disease. Nonetheless, there are likely greater than 100 strains of pathogenic Borrelia and probably more as yet unidentified. Certainly, geographic strain differences exist, especially with regard to continents, as the disease-causing bacteria have also been documented in Europe, Australia, China, South America, and Africa. Lyme disease and co-infections are most probably ubiquitous and found on every continent in the world.
Below is a map showing the average risk of encountering Lyme disease-carrying ticks in central and Eastern Canada from the year 2000 compared to the year 2015: Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can present as acute or chronic infection(s) depending on the length of exposure to the bacteria and the pathogen load at the time of infection. Often the infection(s) is treated with appropriate antibiotics, but at other times when persistent long-term infection ensues, treatment becomes more difficult. To complicate matters further, ticks carry other infectious bacteria in addition to Borrelia. They include Babesia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Bartonella, and Mycoplasma for certain, but there may be other bacteria, viruses, and fungi not yet identified that are problematic and disease-causing as well. Additionally, a tick bite may also transmit the newly identified HGRV retrovirus. However, to date, the latter infection has not yet been scientifically documented as a vector-borne disease.
More likely, the presence of Borrelia sets the stage for the invasion of opportunistic secondary infections (i.e., HHV6, EBV, Cytomegalovirus, Parvovirus B19, Chlamydia pneumonia, Candida) by lowering the overall host’s immune system function. This allows the proliferation of other infections that in effect overwhelm the body’s inherent immune defense mechanisms. Intestinal parasites such as hookworm, tapeworm, flukes, etc., may also contribute to intestinal illness seen in the tick-borne disease. Further discussion of this matter as it directly pertains to you will occur at your initial office visit.
Lyme disease is well known for variable symptom presentation which is one of the reasons it is so difficult to diagnose. Arthritis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, Parkinson’s Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Disease, autoimmune diseases, a myriad of psychiatric disorders, and Autism are simply a few of the diagnoses where Lyme disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis. This is precisely why Lyme disease is known as the “Great Imitator” because the constellation of symptoms observed in a patient is likely to be confused with other diagnoses. Additionally, the incidence of Lyme disease and co-infections in the United States alone has been steadily escalating since the mid-1980s. Although Borrelia was first identified in 1975 by Dr. Willie Burgdorfer in Lyme, Connecticut, global recognition of the bacteria’s presence and severity remains elusive.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is considered the most serious tick-borne illness and is caused by the bacteria, Rickettsia rickettsii. It can be deadly if not treated with the proper combination of antibiotics and supplements. It was identified in the Rocky Mountains in the 1800s but is also found in Western Canada and parts of Central and South America.
It is primarily carried by the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and the brown dog ticks. Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever include lacy rash, headaches, high fever, nausea, muscle pain, poor appetite, abdominal pain, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. Typically, the rash starts at the extremities and moves to the trunk as small, flat, pink non-itchy macules. The rash can involve the palms and soles of the feet.
Complications from the infection can occur, including cognitive deficits, ataxia, hemiparesis, blindness, deafness, or amputation.
Treatment for RMSF can include doxycycline, tetracycline, rifampin, and possibly fluoroquinolones. The treatment may last many months to avoid complications.
Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is caused by the spirochete, Borrelia recurrentis, and is largely transmitted from person to person by lice. This bacteria is unique because it can alter the proteins expressed on its surface which causes the “relapsing” characteristic symptoms. It initially infects the mucus membranes and then moves into the bloodstream.
Q Fever is a vector-borne disease caused by the bacteria, Coxiella burnetii, and is found in cattle, sheep, goats, cats, and dogs. Humans can get infected by inhaling endospores, ingesting the milk, urine, or feces of an infected animal, or from a tick bite.
Patients with Q Fever generally develop fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle pain. If not treated properly, the infection can become chronic and require long-term antibiotic treatment, including doxycycline and Plaquenil.
It is thought to have been used as a biological weapon at one time. It is highly infectious, with as little as one organism needed to cause clinical infection, making it an attractive organism for use in biowarfare.
There are over 20 known species of pathogenic Bartonella including B. henselae, B. quintana, etc. Four of them have been isolated in cats, which is why it is called “Cat Scratch Fever.” Reliable Bartonella serum antibody tests are limited to the species B. henselae and B. quintana. However, newly developed fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) testing is now able to detect Bartonella at the species level.
Bartonellosis was first isolated in the early 1920s, and the prevalence of the infection varies geographically. Northern climates reportedly have less prevalence of the disease, although this trend is changing in conjunction with global climate change.
Effect on Immune System Function
Bartonella infection is characterized by regional lymphadenopathy, low-grade fever, malaise, muscle aches, joint pain, and chronic fatigue. There have also been reported cases of the enlarged spleen, endocarditis, and encephalitis due to infection.
The infection in immunocompromised patients with low natural killer cells, low T helper cells, and low T suppressor cells present with “red streaks” resembling cat scratches, and this condition is known as bacillary angiomatosis or peliosis.
Studies of patients infected with Bartonella reveal that this bacteria has a particular affinity for the vascular endothelium where organisms are observed in clumps along the vessel wall. This is an advantageous residence for bacteria that utilize nutrients in the host’s blood for their benefit.
Clustering of Bartonella cases within families has been observed especially when they have adopted feral cats. Ocular, neurologic, dermatologic, hematologic, orthopedic, cardiac, renal, and pulmonary presentations are typical for Bartonella infections. Symptom presentation may vary among family members.
Treatment
A combination of herbs, antibiotics, immune support, alkalized diet, and exercise are the recommended treatment.
Metabolic Syndrome is a collage of risk factors that are associated with an increased risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and peripheral artery disease. About 30 million Americans suffer from the following symptoms:
Central abdominal obesity
Fasting glucose of greater than 100mg/dL
BP greater than 130/85
Low HDL
Fasting triglycerides greater than 150mg/dL
Risk factors for developing Metabolic Syndrome include:
Biotoxin illness is an invisible disease that results from exposure to toxins such as mycotoxins including ochratoxin, aflatoxin, trichothecene, and gliotoxin among others, or toxins from microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and molds. Inflammagens such as endotoxins, mannans, proteinases, and even EMFs initiate a vicious cycle of inflammation called “chronic inflammatory response syndrome” coined by Dr. Shoemaker. Chronic inflammation is the result of the immune system’s desperate attempt to combat and remove these toxins, but the immune system becomes overactivated. Proinflammatory cytokines such as Il-6, Il-8, Il-10, and TNF alpha are released by immune cells, and upregulation of TGF-Beta 1 and C4a and VEGF occurs. The cytokines bind to their receptors and cause the release of MMP9 in the blood. MMP9 affects the release of MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) from the hypothalamus, causing patients to be unable to thermoregulate, suffer sleep dysregulation, and develop leaky gut syndrome. The ensuing immune activation can also cause hypercoagulation (clotting of the blood) and restricted blood flow, resulting in cellular and tissue hypoxia (low oxygen concentration). Decreased production of VEGF can manifest as muscle cramping, headache, and shortness of breath.
Additionally, biotoxins generally have a specific affinity for fat cells because they can “stick” to them and disrupt the extracellular matrix. This makes it particularly difficult to remove these toxins as typically would occur by the liver and kidney. Depending on the type of toxin present, toxin binders such as Bentonite clay, NAC, Charcoal, Zeolite, Apple Pectin, Chlorella, Cholestyramine, and/or Welchol may be used in order to facilitate the removal of these toxins from the fat cells. Additionally, green juicing, glutathione, colonics, and infrared saunas may also help to remove these toxins more quickly.
Most importantly, if you are exposed to a water-damaged building, or are breathing mycotoxins from a previously damaged building, PLEASE REMOVE YOURSELF IMMEDIATELY FROM THAT ENVIRONMENT. No amount of intervention will help you regain your health if you are continually exposed to biotoxins. Please contact Dr. Marra’s office right away so that she can help you solve your disease-causing puzzle. She can help you navigate the difficult terrain of identifying reputable companies to help you clean up your biotoxin illness issues.
Please check out Dr. Shoemaker’s website for more information on The Biotoxin Pathway.
Scleroderma and Bartonella… Is there a connection?
Dr. Marra has been treating patients with tick borne illness since 1999 in both Westport Connecticut and Seattle Washington. She has had two patients with severe Raynaud’s Syndrome, a Scleroderma diagnosis, and a positive Bartonella henselae serology test, one from each coast.
Dr. Marra does not think that this is a coincidence as Bartonella is known to reside in the vascular system along the inside of the vessel endothelium. She strongly suspects that Raynaud’s Syndrome and Scleroderma could have an infectious etiology that has been overlooked by the medical community because Bartonella is just now considered an emerging zoonotic infection. There is sparse scientific literature on Bartonella infection implications, and she would like to see more research done in this area.
To date, there is no literature indicating an infectious etiology for either Raynaud’s Syndrome or for Scleroderma. There is also very few treatment options offered to patients with these diagnoses. Typically they are left to suffer with these diseases, and Scleroderma can be extremely painful.
Dr. Marra suggests to any patients that have Raynaud’s Syndrome or Scleroderma to be tested for Bartonella henselae through Igenex laboratory. It’s important that the test be done accurately so that tests document the presence of an infection. If an infection is present, prompt use of antimicrobial herbs or antibiotics is extremely important. It is also beneficial that herbs or antibiotics are taken just prior to a very hot shower so that the medicine can reach the peripheral tissue.
In both patients who were found to have a Bartonella infection, subsequent antibiotic therapy was initiated with substantial symptom relief. Better blood flow occurred and the pain and swelling in the fingers receded. Of course this is simply anecdotal evidence, but in the face of having no scientific articles to turn to, this may be a valuable clinical observation for patients with either Raynaud’s Syndrome or Scleroderma.
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that may have genetic (APOE4) and environmental influences on its manifestation in 60-70% of cases. The loss of cognitive function generally starts slowly and progressively gets worse with time and age. The disease is characterized by the development of amyloid plaques in the brain, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuronal degradation in the brain. It affects about 6% of people over 65 years of age and is expected to increase substantially by 2030. Dr. Alan MacDonald, a pathologist found that 7 out of 10 brains examined post autopsy were positive for Borrelia, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. His findings have not been well accepted by mainstream medicine, and he continues to try and publish his data and change the thinking on the disease etiology. Here are a few videos where Dr. MacDonald explains his research, as well as some articles of research on the disease:
There is no definitive test for Alzheimer’s disease other than a western blot test for Borrelia, and there is currently no treatment, except for antibiotics, which are highly controversial for this disease.
I hope in the next decade, there will be a greater awareness of the role infections play in the development of this neurodegenerative disease.
Babesiosis, often a co-infection of Lyme Disease in humans, was first identified by Victor Babes in the late 19th century in Romanian cattle and the disease at that time was coined “Red Water Fever.” However, Babesia infection in humans was not confirmed until 1956 in a Yugoslavian farmer.
Babesia is a protozoan intracellular red blood cell parasite quite similar to malaria and is a worldwide emerging zoonotic disease. There are about 100 known species of Babesia that infect livestock animals and rodents. However, the three currently known species causing human disease, B. microtii, and B. duncani (formerly WA1 and first identified in Washington state but found throughout the United States), and Babesia divergens (found in Europe), are largely found in the northern hemisphere. The islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard on the eastern coast of Massachusetts, are considered endemic for Babesia species, however, migratory birds are likely to transport vectors of all tick-borne illnesses, which may account for the bacteria’s presence on the west coast as well. Currently, scientists believe that there may be additional human pathogenic species such as B. bigemina and B. bovisbut further researcher is necessary for this area of infectious disease.
Babesia infection is transmitted through a tick bite or contaminated blood products, where sporozoites directly enter the bloodstream and infect red blood cells that contain a heme structure, where an iron molecule resides for oxygen binding purposes. Babesia interferes with red blood cell function, giving rise to common symptoms of night sweats, air hunger, shortness of breath, severe headaches, and often anemia of chronic disease. Serologically, low hemoglobin, hematocrit, and/or red blood cell count, as well as low ferritin and transferrin, may accompany this disease. Additionally, there are two confirmed human cases of maternal transplacental transmission in humans.
Laboratory testing for Babesia species can be difficult and serum antibodies, as well as fluorescent in situ hybridization techniques and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, maximize the chances of documenting the presence of this bacteria. Additionally, infected hosts may have subclinical parasitemia which yields greater difficulty in laboratory detection. Babesia can also be observed in a Giemsa stain where the organism appears like a “Maltese cross.”
Since Babesia species are parasites, antiparasitic herbs and pharmacology are required to treat fulminant disease. The presence of this bacteria in an already infected Lyme patient or an immunocompromised or splenectomized (spleen removal) patient, can complicate treatment substantially. However, antimalarial medications are typically used and shed light on a wider variety of treatment choices for this infection, especially when coupled with Lyme Disease.
The last 20 years have been marked by the global proliferation of human Babesia infections, and suspicion for this disease should be considered whenever a tick bite has been noted, even if a Bullseye rash is not noted at the site of the bite. Babesia infection may be transmitted with or without Lyme Disease and it is not known to be associated with a Bullseye rash.
Contact our office for more information regarding this global emerging zoonotic disease for proper diagnosis treatment.
