Pseudomonas aeruginosa--Morgellons Co-Infection?

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Originally Posted by Kammy

I believe this is PA again?, (without the solution) taken 3/24/09, human sample @100x. Earlier we saw this photo and remarked how it resembled a Lyme bacteria?

Well... well, WTG! Howie! Tendrils... yeah, if we could get a microbiologist to look at that above... we could possibly make the Morgie/Lyme connection? I believe P.a. has some 'sisters'? They are both similiar-looking bacteria. (We need the photo from the Lymes source that's similar to it, I'm sure it's been named?)

So, it's possible that the photo above could be bacteria and not a fungus? That's one in favor... thanks, Howie.

Here it is:

Originally Posted by Kammy

Morgellons and Lyme's are Sister Diseases

THESE ARE THE 'BLACK SPECKS' @100x:

Lyme Disease Bacterial Colony
This Colony Contains All Three Bacterial Forms:
Spirochete, Cyst, and Cell-Wall-Deficient

They appear to be very close family members - somehow?

Ok, you Lyme specialists... here's something to think about?

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P. aeruginosa is typically described as a 'rod-shaped' bacteria. The second abstract below speaks of its two mutant strains, PAO1 and PBP2, that are sphere-shaped.


Pseudomonas

"P. aeruginosa isolates may produce three colony types. Natural isolates from soil or water typically produce a small, rough colony. Clinical samples, in general, yield one or another of two smooth colony types. One type has a fried-egg appearance which is large, smooth, with flat edges and an elevated appearance. Another type, frequently obtained from respiratory and urinary tract secretions, has a mucoid appearance, which is attributed to the production of alginate slime. The smooth and mucoid colonies are presumed to play a role in colonization and virulence."

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Function of penicillin-binding protein 2 in viability and morphology of Pseudomonas aeruginosa -- Legaree et al. 59 (3): 411 -- Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy

"Results: PAO1 grew with a spherical morphology in the presence of mecillinam at concentrations as high as 2000 mg/L.

The PAO1 {Delta}pbpA insertional mutant also grew as spheres, and complementation with a plasmid encoding active pbpA, but not with an inactive Ser-327.

With P. aeruginosa at this concentration of mecillinam, cells retained their normal rod shape but, surprisingly, a morphological change to spherical cells was observed when incubated at concentrations between 200 mg/L and 400 mg/L (Figure 2).

Characterization of PBP 2

To ensure that the proteins being investigated were indeed either the full-length or truncated PBP 2 from P. aeruginosa, N-terminal sequence analysis and mass-spectrometry fingerprinting were performed. The N-terminal amino acid sequences obtained corresponded to those expected for each protein (Figure 1), and the MS-Fit42 gave a MOWSE score of 3.3 x 107, thus confirming the identity of P. aeruginosa PBP 2.

PAO1 {Delta}pbpA mutants lacking a functional pbpA gene were observed to grow in LB broth at 37°C, albeit at an apparent slower rate compared with wild-type PAO1 cells (Figure 7). SEM analysis revealed that, like wild-type cells treated with mecillinam, the PAO1 {Delta}pbpA mutant grows with a spherical morphology, although perhaps with a little less uniformity in appearance (Figure 7). Normal rod-shaped morphology and cell dimensions were restored upon transformation of the mutant with the complementation vector pACBL31 which contained a functional copy of pbpA."

[howie]

perhaps the morg/lyme connection is that certain organisms (like springtails, in my case or bird mites in other cases) are attracted by the smell of pa. while these organisms might not normally bother humans, if pa is a food signal, it makes sense that these organisms would bite or "invade" what they think is food. if these bugs carry and transmit other bacteria, they could easily cause lyme as well as other diseases.

my house was literally invaded by these bugs. attached is a pic of one of the bugs - it looks big in the photo, but it's smaller than 1/4" (this is the largest one i've seen, most are so small they look like a speck of dust - you can only tell they're alive when they jump - plus they come in different colors - white, brown, blue and red) - the other pic shows some of the "creatures" that came from my colon where i felt biting. i got them out with a homemade enema. they're enveloped in a sort of slime and the smaller one has a cloud of fresh blood (mine) around it. i'm pretty sure this is what was in my shoulder too, but i don't know how it would've gotten there. i found the similarity in morphology surprising and am convinced these bugs were the ones biting me for so long.

i don't know where i would've gotten pa, but perhaps it can remain dormant for long periods of time with no symptoms and becomes active when a person's immune system is compromised for some reason. just a thought...

[Katinka]

Originally Posted by Kammy

Well... well, WTG! Howie! Tendrils... yeah, if we could get a microbiologist to look at that above... we could possibly make the Morgie/Lyme connection? I believe P.a. has some 'sisters'? They are both similiar-looking bacteria. (We need the photo from the Lymes source that's similar to it, I'm sure it's been named?)

So, it's possible that the photo above could be bacteria and not a fungus? That's one in favor... thanks, Howie.

Ok, you Lyme specialists... here's something to think about?

Tendrils? well..ok...not so sure about that....

Didn't we say a time back ago and it has been proven by asking my Lyme Doc that it is not possible to 'see' Lyme Bacteria at that microscopical level 100x? It takes at least 1000x and requires a special technique to show evidence. And if it would be that 'easy' to recognize WHY are these Lyme tests so difficult if it would only take to set up a culture, wait a few days and there you have it? NO, I don't think so.

But Fungi? YES...everyone knows that Fungi can be easily seen even with the naked eye...and in this case with 100x even better. IMO..this picture is showing Fungi, Aspergillus Niger, with typical hyphae growth.

Besides that didn't we say, according our research, that we assume Morgellons Disease is a multi infectious disease with several pathogens?
And that there must definitely be Fungi involved? Do you think that you were able to separate the fungi from bacteria while taking debris from your ear to set up a culture? NO, I don't think so.

IMO...what we are seeing here is PA, yes...as your doc indentified also...good...but the other specimen is AN.

And here is something for you to think about: How come so many people who are infected with Morgellons Disease seem to have problems with mold or fungi in their environments and show typical symptoms of fungal infections? And after antifungal treatments such as Diflucan or Itraconazole...like in my case and yours...the symptoms are decreasing? like reduction of the black specks and itching? hmm,..WHY?

AND...didn't we say Bacteria feeds on Fungi and vice versa? and that's the reason why Morgs aren't easy to eliminate? That it take BOTH meds in order to 'kill' them?

Like I already said, we need to do more tests..with daily observation. I was just thinking here..maybe we should set up a new culture and add antifungal components and watch and see what happens? If it's a bacteria then it's still there...if it's a fungi then...well...atleast the 'growth' should be inhibited?

Another point: ALL insects are attracted by bacteria...not only PA...open wounds are most likely to be infested by insects..that could be the connection to parasites..but has IMO not explicit something to do with PA only.

Folks, it's not that easy!

Kat

[howie]

hopefully my post didn't suggest that i think any of my ideas solve anything. i just thought that lyme's symptoms could be due to bugs attracted to someone with pa, ie, the springtails that invaded my house. this, i'm fairly certain, is due to my neighbor's (and neighborhood and city, the list goes on) excessive spraying of pesticides. some people believe (wrongly) that pesticides kill all bugs when in fact they are targeted at certain nuisance bugs. these targeted bugs eat other bugs (ie springtails) and once they die the cycle gets out of whack and problem populations of other bugs crop up. hopefully that makes sense. i do think a bacteria like pa weakens a body's defenses against parasites like insects, other bacteria and fungi that may come from nature or contaminated soil/water...

i know something from lake michigan water that i get on tap coats my skin when i shower in it (as i said in an earlier post) - i was getting some kind of shiny powdery film on my skin that i can see when i'm out in the sun. i thought first it was my house, but it was still there when i stayed in a local hotel. when i was on vacation in the caribbean it went away (uv?) when i came home it returned. once i started using neem topically it cleared up altogether. i no longer use tap water for anything other than washing myself and my clothes - not even to brush my teeth. i know there's something amiss with the water treatment - they've done lots of bioremediation in lake michigan which is probably related... they use other strains of pseudomonas in bioremediation, setting us up for a tag team attack if these related bacteria join forces.

[Katinka]

Hi Howie,
please let me say how much your input is appreciated here!Thank you!
Yes, you are definitely right about how bacteria attracts all sorts of insects..not only that but fungi and environmental particles get even 'caught' in this sticky biofilm PA is producing...and of course also insects causing Lyme Disease. The point is though that most specialists working on Lyme Disease
aren't totally assure if insects only are the causative agent of Lyme's in the first place. What we believe is, that it not only takes insects to trigger this but also other toxins such as in water...as you mentioned correctly...play a main role in Morgellons Disease. And if you think about bio remediation...YES..using Nanobacteria...mutated, morphed strands of other bacteria such as PA...well...this also IMO leads to an super infectious disease not only Morgellons Disease but many other illnesses perhaps even all related to eachother.

The overuse of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and other highly toxic substances not to mention overuse of antibiotics leaching into our water systems cause these resistant bacteria strands to mutate..and also to speak ahead here..fungi, algae and other water organisms.

btw...I have also noticed this 'powdery' substance on my skin and hair after taking a shower..and tap water is a big NO NO also in my case. And I totally agree with you by using Neem soap and/or hairtonic.. and....I use it internally also....It not only removes the biofilm but also 'fights' fungi, bacteria and parasites...so...this stuff is great!

Kat

[Katinka]

Another aspect: Climate Change...

Infection Research: Coming to a Boil: Climate change encourages the expansion of infectious disease

Coming to a Boil: Climate change encourages the expansion of infectious disease


Will there be a triumphant progress of infection diseases while heating up our climate?



.....We must also consider the qualities of the waters, for as they differ from one another in taste and weight, so also do they differ much in their qualities...

....Some evidence suggests that climate has already exacted a toll on the human population by spurring disease outbreaks and spreading the disease to new areas. But the full extent of the impact on infectious diseases remains to be understood. Scientists need more knowledge in order to predict outbreaks and prepare populations at risk, and to understand how climate-correcting measures, such as reducing fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, are for improving human health....

....Climate change will likely alter where disease vectors roam, and therefore where the diseases they carry strike. It will also likely increase the number of people who perish from water-borne infections, such as cholera and cryptosporidiosis. And climate change is already exacting a toll on animals, wiping out species of amphibians, and threatening food supplies by harming important links in the food chain such as oysters....

It's in the Water

Infectious diseases carried by vectors such as mosquitoes or ticks are among the most sensitive to temperature, so they have been studied most intensely with respect to climate change. These diseases also represent significant risks to human health.

Climate change is also pushing malaria into new areas. Warming temperatures mean that malaria mosquitoes can survive at higher elevations, so mosquitoes are moving to higher elevations where malaria wasn’t previously a problem, such as highland areas of eastern Africa. And malaria is already cropping up again in parts of the world where public health efforts had previously eradicated the disease, such as the United States, the Soviet Union, the Korean Peninsula, southern Europe, and the coast of South Africa....

....And Lyme disease also appears to be spreading as the climate changes. First described in 1977, Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States; it is also common in Europe. Ticks carry the organism responsible for Lyme diseases; this arthropods also carry other diseases such as babesiosis. Antibiotics cure Lyme disease in most cases. But some people experience chronic Lyme infections, and experience devastating symptoms such as joint pain, headache, and neurological problems....

....Lyme disease is spreading throughout the northeast and Atlantic states of the United States, and some predictions suggest it could expand even farther north into Canada. With warming temperatures and increased rainfall, ticks are rising in number and are present for more months of the year. The disease is not only spreading to new areas, but also becoming more common in those areas where it already exists....

All in it Together

Climate change is not only encouraging the spread of human diseases, but also diseases of animals that are closely connected with human survival. For instance, blooms of algae are becoming more frequent and intense, and lasting longer. These blooms can directly sicken humans who ingest toxins produced by the organisms. Blooms can also harm important aquatic organisms in the food chain; they can lead to dead zones in bays and estuaries that decimate beds of sea grass and remove important habitats that nurture shellfish.

....Amphibians are also succumbing to infectious diseases that proliferate during climate change...

....Some researchers posited a connection to climate change, and a recent analysis suggests that climate change makes the jungle more hospitable for the fungus....

.....Researchers will work on to understand the effect of climate change on not only the health of the planet but also that of its inhabitants, and could provide tools to predict when and where infectious outbreaks occur. No matter how well we understand and predict climate-triggered outbreaks, it appears clear that mitigating climate change—reducing greenhouse gas emissions, in particular—is the most important step towards stemming the spread of infectious diseases.

Kat

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Of course, there are many factors to Morgellons, as we have seen, read and know. We just need something scientifically solid to build on, that all we're trying to do - identify some factor here that is working on us. I'm not saying that P.a. is in everyone, but - here's what I'm suspecting right now:

I think that if what I have is P.a., or something similar... that it is the source for the white AND the black specks. I have to prove these statements, which I am in the process of.

And... if it is... then this is will probably identify the main pathogen because 'specks/seeds' are something we all have in common and then we'll have something concrete to work with and hopefully know more about how and where to look and to help our physicians find our illness.

Another way to say this - if you're producing a biofilm and specks... then P.a. or a variation of it - is probably involved.

Yes, we're aware this is a multi-faceted disease and have stated that we're seeing fungi involved in most people's samples, so far. This is only from a small pool of different human cultures. I have 3 more people's samples that I am about to culture soon.

We know that P.a. is a wicked bacteria and if the fungi is getting inside the biofilm, that this isn't a safe place for anything to be when drugs come along to fight it. We've felt the stickiness of our biofilm goo... ??

I don't know whether to continue with the nutrient agar or switch to the potato dextrose agar, which I don't have any experience in. I was trying to get away from the marine elements (nutrient agar is made from seaweed) to determine if we are or are not identifying the components of nutrient agar? To take that variable out of the picture. However, I have a limited amount of specimens and would hate to culture them in something that may not be productive.

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Ok, here's where I'm at:

I need to isolate a white and black speck in the dish, photograph them daily, map the dish so that I am photographing the same spot day after day and show the life-cycle progress of these specks.

I am taking the Ciproflaxin and can already tell that the debris is changing, my ear is responding. I may not have any specks soon (I pray)... so, I need to gather this evidence while I'm still producing. I cultured a dish right before I took the Cipro, which I photographed yesterday, that can be a backup dish.

I shouldn't have brought in the Lyme/Morgie connection, I was going through the photos looking for good examples and saw that one again... and thought I'd just put it out here. Who knows, someone who is interested maybe could use this information?

To keep things simple - let's just concentrate on the P.a. issue at hand?

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I know that phosphates are a key in fighting this disease, Katj... phosphorus. Yes, I used a mild home-made solution that contained phosphates, which I don't believe are supposed to be put on the skin? This is not recommended.

I recommended the LOW phosphorus diet on the 'Cure Thread' based on the metals were were finding at that time - you mean all that cheese and milk I was craving was a good thing - that we need a HIGH phosphorus diet?