The Lyme Lymph /Connection: Groundbreaking Study

[tcmgpt13]

Lyme disease has been one commonality shared by nearly all patients who have Morgellons. In addition those who have either lyme or Morgellons symptoms generally have immune systems which have been adversely affected by these diseases. Here is news about a ground breaking study which has shown that lyme bacteria take cover in the lymph nodes, both triggering an immune response while at the same time subverting that response. Certainly I know that in my own case the lymph system has been involved in my symptoms since my spleen function (according to TCM) is deficient. Therefore I find this news significant. I am planning soon to make a lymph formula which I can take long term and which will be comprised mostly of Western herbs. One third of all lymph nodes are within or near the intestinal track. Perhaps this is what is making it so difficult for some to recover from symptoms, both lyme and those caused by Morgellons. I have been having some very good results lately by adding in some Western herbs to my treatment in addition to using my TCM formulas which are prescribed for me. I recently started using olive leaf capsules and some turmeric capsules from my local herbalist which seem to be forcing out many of the disease organisms from the skin, often peeling these areas lightly. I do not think these results I am seeing are just from using these herbs, but rather are the sum total of everything I am currently taking.

ScienceDaily: Science News Lyme Disease Bacteria Take Cover in Lymph Nodes

ScienceDaily (June 17, 2011) — The bacteria that cause Lyme disease, one of the most important emerging diseases in the United States, appear to hide out in the lymph nodes, triggering a significant immune response, but one that is not strong enough to rout the infection, report researchers at the University of California, Davis.

Results from this groundbreaking study involving mice may explain why some people experience repeated infections of Lyme disease. The study appears online in the journal Public Library of Science Pathogens.

Our findings suggest for the first time that Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease in people, dogs and wildlife, have developed a novel strategy for subverting the immune response of the animals they infect, said Professor Nicole Baumgarth, an authority on immune responses at the UC Davis Center for Comparative Medicine.

At first it seems counter intuitive that an infectious organism would choose to migrate to the lymph nodes where it would automatically trigger an immune response in the host animal," Baumgarth said. "But B. burgdorferi have apparently struck an intricate balance that allows the bacteria to both provoke and elude the animal's immune response.

About Lyme disease

Lyme disease, the most important tick-borne disease in the United States is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, corkscrew-shaped bacteria also known as spirochetes. The disease is transmitted to humans and animals through bites from infected deer ticks.

The disease occurs mainly in the Northeastern and Great Lakes states, and is present to a lesser extent in Northern California. However, the western black-legged tick, the main carrier of Lyme disease in the western United States, has been found in 56 of California's 58 counties, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Symptoms of Lyme disease are quite variable and may include fever, headache, fatigue and a skin rash. If the infection is not treated, it can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system.

Usually, Lyme disease can be successfully treated with about four weeks of antibiotics; treatment is most successful during the early stages of infection.

The UC Davis study

Swollen lymph nodes, or lymphadenopathy, is one of the hallmarks of Lyme disease, although it has been unclear why this occurs or how it affects the course of the disease. The UC Davis research team set out to explore in mice the mechanisms that cause the enlarged lymph nodes and to determine the nature of the resulting immune response.

They found that when mice were infected with B. burgdorferi, these live spirochetes accumulated in the animals' lymph nodes. The lymph nodes responded with a strong, rapid accumulation of B cells, white blood cells that produce antibodies to fight infections. Also, the presence of B. burgdorferi caused the destruction of the distinct architecture of the lymph node that usually helps it to function normally.

While B cells accumulated in large numbers and made some specific antibodies against B. burgdorferi, they did not form "germinal centers," structures that are needed for the generation of highly functional and long-lived antibody responses.

Overall, these findings suggest that B. burgdorferi hinder the immune system from generating a response that is fully functional and that can persist and protect after repeat infections, Baumgarth said. "Thus, the study might explain why people living in endemic areas can be repeatedly infected with these disease-causing spirochetes. In addition to Baumgarth, members of the UC Davis research team include Stephen Barthold, director of the Center for Comparative Medicine; Emir Hodzic, director of the Real-Time PCR Research and Diagnostics Core Facility; staff scientist Sunlian Feng; graduate student Christine Hastey; and Stefan Tunev, formerly of the Center for Comparative Medicine and now at Medtronic Inc.

Funding for the study was provided by the National Institute of Health. The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by University of California - Davis.

Journal Reference:

Stefan S. Tunev, Christine J. Hastey, Emir Hodzic, Sunlian Feng, Stephen W. Barthold, Nicole Baumgarth. Lymphoadenopathy during Lyme Borreliosis Is Caused by Spirochete Migration-Induced Specific B Cell Activation. PLoS Pathogens, 2011; 7 (5): e100206

[Katinka]

Hi tcm, very interesting post. Thanks for posting. Yes, I was aware that the Lyme pathogen 'tends' to accumulate in the lymphatic system/nodes. Before I received treatment I had a swollen lymphnode on the right side of my neck which was very sore and painful. Dr.Nicholaus explained to me at that time that the Lyme typical pathogen and other pathogens considered to be co-infectious types hide in tissues and especially in the lymph system. This makes them hard to rid and is the reason why a Lyme infection is not easily treatable and repetitious relapses can occur but nevertheless I think it's a great idea to keep the lymph system working properly and to help your body rid pathogens as you're intending to do with your formula. Also a very good way is adding chinese and western herbs to conventional medicine and I hope you'll be successful with this protocol.

In the following weeks, I'm intending to visit the Augsburg clinic and meet Dr.Nicholaus and Dr.Schwarzbach for a checkup, to discuss further treatment and involved pathogens according to their newest research and treatment protocols of Lyme and Morgellons Disease.

Of course at that occasion I will ask Dr.Nicholaus what exactly he meant with his statement at the conference.

Please understand though that this information will remain confidential and not published by me in any form, however you can contact me via email if you have any questions.

[Jo]

Thanks for posting TCM. Here's the URL for the full journal article.
PLoS Pathogens: Lymphoadenopathy during Lyme Borreliosis Is Caused by Spirochete Migration-Induced Specific B Cell Activation

[tcmgpt13]

Hi Kat, your Dr. Nicolaus sounds so intelligent. I am happy to hear you will be asking him what he meant when he said that he thought M was a parasitic infection as I am bursting with curiosity about this (as you already know LOL). It must be a relief for you to be able to see a doctor who has an understanding of both of lyme and morgellons. It's quite exciting to hear that these two doctors have a new protocol for both lyme and morgellons.

Anyway, the lymph system is one which has been mostly neglected by Western medicine, but herbal traditions have many ways to treat this area of the body. The herbal formula I plan to try is one used for lymphatic cancer, but contains some rather common Western herbs. At one time Ingrid Naiman was on the forum here and she is the person who wrote the book which contains this formula. I may add in a few TCM herbs for the spleen. I'll have to look up what herbs are in her formula and then decide whether to add some others to her basic formula.

Anyway I will be contacting you soon to find out what you have learned and what's up with the latest developments from another country. It sounds as if these doctors have a slightly different way of looking at both lyme and Morgellons.

quote=Katinka;82401]Hi tcm, very interesting post. Thanks for posting. Yes, I was aware that the Lyme pathogen 'tends' to accumulate in the lymphatic system/nodes. Before I received treatment I had a swollen lymphnode on the right side of my neck which was very sore and painful. Dr.Nicholaus explained to me at that time that the Lyme typical pathogen and other pathogens considered to be co-infectious types hide in tissues and especially in the lymph system. This makes them hard to rid and is the reason why a Lyme infection is not easily treatable and repetitious relapses can occur but nevertheless I think it's a great idea to keep the lymph system working properly and to help your body rid pathogens as you're intending to do with your formula. Also a very good way is adding chinese and western herbs to conventional medicine and I hope you'll be successful with this protocol.

In the following weeks, I'm intending to visit the Augsburg clinic and meet Dr.Nicholaus and Dr.Schwarzbach for a checkup, to discuss further treatment and involved pathogens according to their newest research and treatment protocols of Lyme and Morgellons Disease.

Of course at that occasion I will ask Dr.Nicholaus what exactly he meant with his statement at the conference.

Please understand though that this information will remain confidential and not published by me in any form, however you can contact me via email if you have any questions.[/quote]

[tcmgpt13]

Hi Jo,

Thanks for adding the link to the original article. It is always good when we learn yet more about what science is finding out about lyme and other infectious diseases. It reminds me of the research a few years back which revealed that the lymph system hosts and hides the malaria parasite at certain stages, maybe doing the same thing the lyme spirochete does, sort of disarming the immune system at the same time. Until that malaria research it was thought that only the liver was involved in hiding these parasites in the body. The more we learn though the more we learn how much more there is to learn. I think we are getting a few good clues lately about what may be involved in this complex set of symptoms which are being called Morgellons syndrome.

[jonsi]

Well "duh"!!!

I have been talking about lymphatic massage ever since I joined this site!!!!! It does work.

Lymphstar Pro You need to find someone who knows how to use the machine, you can't use it on yourself.

In the white light,
~jonsi

[tcmgpt13]

Well, duh, to you too Jonsi. And good morning. No matter what we observe as patients who have this disease, it will only be when medical science accepts from scientific study what we already have seen in other ways that we will be treated for our symptoms by mainstream doctors. I think you assume too much when you think that others here do not know about the lymph machine you mention. Once you had two separate threads started at the same time about this brand of lymph machine so how could anyone have missed what you say about it, unless of course a new member? I know I have mentioned my treatment with lymph machines when I was a newer member here, but I never mentioned any by brand name. Remember not all will have access to such treatment or the money to pay for these treatments if they do have someone in their area who treats this way. I feel though that this machine is not a cure for the the disease organisms found in the lymph. Certainly using this machine along with some pretty potent herbs did not cure me of all my symptoms and lesions did continue to form. Still it is a good adjunct to improving health if it's available and at all affordable to use it.

quote=jonsi;82422]Well duh!!!

I have been talking about lymphatic massage ever since I joined this site!!!!! It does work.

Lymphstar Pro You need to find someone who knows how to use the machine, you can't use it on yourself.

In the white light,
~jonsi[/quote]

[Katinka]

Originally Posted by tcmgpt13

No matter what we observe as patients who have this disease, it will only be when medical science accepts from scientific study what we already have seen in other ways that we will be treated for our symptoms by mainstream doctors.

Yes tcm, you're absolutely right. Unfortunately for us people suffering from this disease, considering M to be a co-infection, it's a no win situation if we only can present 'stuff', like some call it here..lol, or even present or try discussing a theory with them as to what we 'think' has caused all this mess. It's like it is, we can research endlessly and still come to a point whereas all of it will not be acknowledged by doctors unless it's written down somewhere in their medical books which is the reason why this new scientific observation according Lyme Disease is so valuable esp. for the people living in the USA.

[Katinka]

Originally Posted by tcmgpt13

Hi Kat, your Dr. Nicolaus sounds so intelligent. I am happy to hear you will be asking him what he meant when he said that he thought M was a parasitic infection as I am bursting with curiosity about this (as you already know LOL). It must be a relief for you to be able to see a doctor who has an understanding of both of lyme and morgellons. It's quite exciting to hear that these two doctors have a new protocol for both lyme and morgellons.

Anyway, the lymph system is one which has been mostly neglected by Western medicine, but herbal traditions have many ways to treat this area of the body. The herbal formula I plan to try is one used for lymphatic cancer, but contains some rather common Western herbs. At one time Ingrid Naiman was on the forum here and she is the person who wrote the book which contains this formula. I may add in a few TCM herbs for the spleen. I'll have to look up what herbs are in her formula and then decide whether to add some others to her basic formula.

Anyway I will be contacting you soon to find out what you have learned and what's up with the latest developments from another country. It sounds as if these doctors have a slightly different way of looking at both lyme and Morgellons.

Both doctors, Dr.Nicholaus and Dr. Schwarzbach who does the lab work are very nice and competent in their metier. Usually by my visits we tend to have conversations also of private nature and they're highly interested as to what people on Morgellons forums are saying and also implying towards a possible causative agent, considering it to be a co-infection to Lymes, other then transmission over ticks. They both are very open minded regarding theories, treatment or medicines even supplementation in any form. Esp. Dr. Nicholaus is also fond of approaching these diseases in an alternative or holistic way. I could imagine, tcm, that he would be interested to hear about how people are using chinese herbs in addition which probably have a very good supporting effect to conventional medication.