LymeDisease.org held a one day conference in January 2012 with Dr. Ann Corson and Dr. Christine Green. It was a great event and I share my notes from the presentations here.
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Dr. Ann Corson
Dr. Corson's presentation PDF is posted here with her permission.
2012-January-22 CALDA Lecture
- Many different ticks can transmit tick-borne infections including the dog tick, deer tick, and Lone Star tick.
- It takes 1 hour in the dryer on high heat to kill a deer tick.
- It is not yet known whether or not FL1953 / Protomyxzoa rheumatica is found in ticks.
- Willy Burgdorfer found that the guts of ticks were crawling with nematodes.
- A large percentage of chronic Lyme patients have FL1953, a strong biofilm forming organism.
- Polymicrobial biofilms are everywhere; found in the gut, sinus, brain, blood, and in tissues.
- Gut Dysbiosis is common in Lyme patients.
- Altered terrain is generally present with mucosal biofilms, impaired redox potential, dysbiotic overgrowth, and parasitic infections.
- In chronic Lyme, there is often an upregulated Th2 immune response; with or without Th1 abnormalities.
- In people with Lyme, there are often shifting food allergies. Gluten, cow dairy, and egg intolerances are among the more common.
- Leaky gut syndrome is often present with altered basement membrane permeability.
- Infections are suspected of being present in the mucosal, muscular, and serosal surfaces of the bowel wall.
- There can be vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) of the blood supply in the gut.
- There can be infections of the nervous tissue which controls the gut function; from the brain to the autonomic ganglia.
- Alterations in gut motility can be present; such as Bell’s Palsy of the gut or gastroparesis.
- Liver and gallbladder can be impacted. There can be infections. The gallbladder can become weak (atonic). There can be genetic mutations or other detoxification abnormalities that may impact Phase 1 and Phase 2 liver detoxification. Hormones may be imbalanced. There may be signs of lipid abnormalities such as elevated LDL cholesterol. The flow of bile may be obstructed (stasis) or there may be too little bile or even infected bile. This can lead to nausea, constipation, abdominal pain, or indigestion.
- Those with an SOD2 abnormality produce higher levels of sulfates.
- Systemic inflammation is common. This can be the result of many different factors including elevated LDL and other lipid abnormalities, insulin resistance, pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-alpha, IL-10, C3a, C4a), oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Vasculitis can be the result of infections in the inner-lining of the vessels or the result of toxins. It can also be impacted by hypercoagulation (thickened blood) from Babesia, HHV-6, heavy metals, or genetic predispositions.
- The extracellular matrix of a tick-borne disease patient is often very toxic. This toxicity in the matrix can be the result of antigen/antibody complexes, heavy metals, and many other pollutants. Some rashes can be the result of antigen/antibody complexes in the skin.
- The immune system is often dysfunctional. It can be confused or simply lack the energy it needs to respond to a threat. This can be the case in the Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) and Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT). Cytokine imbalances must be corrected, inflammation must be reduced, and the attack against specific pathogens must be upregulated.
- The immune system dysregulation may result in autoimmunity which often involves the thyroid, endothelium (lining of the blood vessels), gut, nervous system, and other tissues.
- The allergic response can be upregulated. This may present as allergies to the environment or foods. It can also present is MCS (multiple chemical sensitivity).
- There can be bone marrow dysfunction which may result in thrombocytopenia (decrease in platelets), neutropenia (decrease in neutrophils; a type of white blood cell), lymphopenia (decrease of lymphocytes; a type of white blood cell), anemia (low red blood cells), and even neoplastic cells (cancer).
- The peripheral nervous system is often impacted. This results in altered gut motility, vascular issues such as POTS and Raynaud’s, and problems with cranial nerves.
- The central nervous system can be impacted by oxidative stress, decreased glutathione, altered homocysteine or methionine metabolism, impaired methylation or sulfation, and elevated sulfate or ammonia levels.
- Neuro-endocrine dysfunction is common. This can involve the HP (hypothalamus, pituitary) axis, adrenal stress or exhaustion, thyroid problems with or without autoimmunity, sex hormone imbalances at all ages, insulin resistance, leptin resistance, the renin-angiotensin system (regulates blood pressure and fluid balance), and anti-diuretic hormone abnormalities.
- Heavy metals are often a key factor in Hashimoto’s (an autoimmune thyroid condition that is common in people with Lyme disease).
- Biotoxin illness is related to HLA type and certain types are Lyme-susceptible, certain types are mold-susceptible, and others are both Lyme and mold susceptible.
- Biotoxins are water and lipid soluble ionophores. These can result from indoor molds, Borrelia, Babesia, and Pfiesteria. Biotoxins cause fat cells to turn on the production of inflammatory cytokines. This upregulates systemic inflammation, increases insulin resistance, increases bad lipid levels, and alters VEGF and PAI-1.
- Biotoxins bind to damaged leptin receptors in the hippocampus and hypothalamus which results in the deficiency of two important master hormones, namely VIP and MSH.
- There is ongoing damage to the hippocampus, hypothalamus, and pituitary when biotoxins are present.
- People that are deficient in VIP have trouble sleeping and are short of breath when climbing stairs. They also have poor digestion.
- Another complexity in tick-borne illness patients is KPU. KPU can be genetic or acquired and results in depletion of zinc, B6, biotin, manganese, magnesium, omega-6, and other substances. It lowers the overall efficiency of white blood cells. The liver becomes overwhelmed with clogged detox pathways.
- Heavy metals can be present from dental amalgams, vaccinations, food, air, and water.
- Physical, emotional, or psychological traumas are not uncommon.
- Diet must be considered and often changed. Habits must be looked into, and substance abuse must be addressed.
- German Biological Medicine is the integration of western medicine with European herbal medicine, homeopathy, terrain-based theory, and bio-energetic medicine. All of this is then molded by ancient Chinese medicine.
- Treatment is terrain-based. Attempts to maintain cellular energy, digestion and assimilation, nutrient transport, fluidity of regulatory responses, elimination of toxins.
- The extracellular matrix is the primary organ that regulates the terrain.
- Incorrect energy distribution and severe energy deficits in the body result in chronic illness.
- The matrix stores toxins as a buffer. The thyroid, pancreas, and central nervous system are highly toxin-sensitive.
- If you have a clean matrix, acupuncture needles transmit throughout the entire matrix. However, if the matrix is encumbered or toxic, acupuncture will not generally work as well.
- In the homotoxicology model, there are six different phases. These are excretion, inflammation, deposition, impregnation, degeneration, and neoplasm. The first three are known as humoral phases and the last three are known as cellular phases.
- An illness generally starts in the excretion stage and progresses deeper and deeper into the body if not addressed until it gets to the degeneration or neoplasm (cancer) stage.
- The goal is to move people from the cellular phases to the humoral phases. Most patients with Lyme are initially deep in the cellular phases of the model; most commonly the Degeneration phase.
- Progression of an illness goes from the exterior to the interior.
- The goal of German Biological Medicine treatment is to restore vitality by building vital energy and heat, restore the matrix (clear the body of biofilms, infections, toxins, injuries, and scars), restore the endothelial system by addressing hypercoagulation, biofilms, toxins, and infections and by healing the endothelial lining.
- The metabolic function of the GALT must be restored. This includes the removal of food allergens, healing leaky gut and restoring the mucosa, breaking down biofilms, addressing pathogens, adding prebiotics and probitoics, ensuring that nutrients are absorbed, and supporting peristalsis.
- The liver must be restored and balanced. Toxin backlogs must be cleared. Phase 1 and phase 2 liver detoxification pathways must be balanced. Hormones and lipids must be normalized. Bile flow must be improved in order to support detoxification. Toxins and infections must be addressed. The liver improves once the toxins from a dysbiotic gut are removed.
- The function of the MALT must be restored. This includes addressing sinus infections and biofilms, reducing upregulated responses to inhaled allergens and improving lymphatic function.
- Oxidative stress must be lowered. Ammonia and sulfates must be evaluated and lowered. Myelin sheath’s and cell membranes must be repaired.
- Dr. Corson uses repeated patterns of harmonize/resolve and release/provoke.
- A pH of 8.0 is best for water.
- EMFs must be cleaned up.
- There can be no mold in the living, work, or school environment.
- No high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) or processed foods.
- No factory-farmed meats.
- Sugar (except for fresh fruit) should always be eliminated. Many, but not all patients need to remove gluten as well.
- When someone says that they have not had a cold in six years, this is not always a good thing. It may mean that you were exposed to the pathogens but could not mount any kind of an immune response. You got them and they are added to what you have. You just couldn’t deal with them. It is often a good sign when people start getting community infections that their immune system is starting to become competent. Often, the sickest patients don't get colds.
- Vital Energy Medicine by Peter Gosch is a good book on German Biological Medicine and PEKANA products.
Dr. Christine Green
- Used the term from Dr. Horowitz – MCIDS – Multiple Chronic Infectious Disease Syndrome.
- The Lone Star tick swarms and goes on the attack.
- Mentioned an online resource for medical information at http://www.uptodate.com
- The majority of biofilms in the body are a good thing; not all biofilms are bad.
- Bartonella goes into red blood cells very quickly, and Borrelia can quickly go to the brain.
- Many stealth pathogens – these can result in carriers that are asymptomatic; they avoid the immune system by living within the cells. Stealth pathogens rarely induce sterilizing immunity and manipulate the adaptive immune system. They move into cells, wear a disguise, and signal the police that all is quiet.
- Mentioned a quote by Max Planck – “A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.”
- For sleep, melatonin, L-tryptophan, Phosphatidylserine, and magnesium may be helpful.
- For adrenals, licorice, salt, Vitamin C, pantothenic acid, thyroid support, and exercise before noon may be helpful.
- For pain, magnesium, anti-NF-Kb substances (such as curcumin, Actos), anti-epileptics, antioxidants, and anaerobic exercise may be helpful. Lyme irritates the nerves. Anti-epileptics often work for pain as they smooth the firing of the nerves.
- For neuropathy, address pathogens, HBOT, balance practice, and anaerobic exercise may be helpful.
- Often approaches treatment first by addressing RMSF, then virus, Babesia/parasites, Bartonella/Q-Fever/Brucella, and Lyme. This is somewhat artificial, however, as there is often overlapping coverage with botanicals and RX treatment options.
- Chronic viral issues can lead to CFS, malaise, being achy, lymphadenopathy, elevated liver enzymes, herpes prodromes. If IgG antibodies are 5-10 times the normal, suspect a reactivated virus.
- IV C is great for viruses as are malic acid, Immunovir and for HHV-6 (Famvir, Valcyte, Valtrex, and Acyclovir).
- Babesia can produce cherry angiomas, POTS, sweats, chills, shortness of breath, and irregular heart beat. There is a unique strain of Babesia on the Catalina island.
- Cryptolepis, Artemisinin, Enula, Coptis, Zithromax, Mepron, Malarone, Quinines, Tinidazole, and Metronidazole can all be useful for Babesia.
- Chlamydia leads to fatigue, arthritis, and respiratory problems. Dave Martz MD has suggested that Chlamydia is usually involved in ALS.
- Mycoplasma can be extracellular or intracellular. It is pleomorphic. It likes mucous membranes. Leads to pneumonias and sinusitis and is found in lots of children. PCR can be done at Clongen or ViroLab. Macrolides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, and sulfa drugs may be helpful.
- Bartonella is found in 40% of cats and is now proven to be tickborne in dog studies by Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt. Bartonella is hemotropic and stealth. It invades red blood cells and the endothelium.
- Older types of Bartonellas have a flagella; newer ones do not.
- Red blood cells live three months on average. Bartonella can then go and infect 8 more red blood cells each time. 8 bacteria grow per cell.
- Bartonella makes new blood vessels. They need heme which is why they go into RBCs.
- Bartonella symptoms include twitchy, stabbing pains, nightmares, hallucinations, sleep disturbance, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, and red striae.
- Headaches are generally the worst in Ehrlichia.
- Q-Fever can cause heart valve issues and lead to rapid weight loss.
- If antibiotics are too short and/or too low dose, this can lead to resistant organisms. This is not the case when the treatment is too long; only too short.
- Mentioned several products that can be helpful. Integrative Therapeutics End Fatigue line has a number of good options. Glutathione, Vitamin C, Chlorella, NAC can support detox. CoQ10, L-Carnitine can fuel the mitochondria.
- Everything your immune system does requires a molecule of Vitamin C.
- HBOT can be useful for healing nerves.
Questions and Answers
During the question and answer period, the following items were discussed by Dr. Corson and Dr. Green in response to audience questions.
- Dr. Corson noted that some of the new herbal medicines may penetrate the brain better than IV therapy.
- Kids often get worse when puberty begins and this may be related to hormonal changes. Estrogen stimulates the growth of Borrelia.
- Dr. Corson noted that “gestational” is better term than “congenital” for children that acquired Lyme during pregnancy.
- Birth control pills do not work well while on antibiotics.
- The question was asked if people with late-stage Lyme could health without IV therapy. Dr. Corson's believes that people with late-stage Lyme can be healed without IV therapy. Dr. Green’s response was “not often, but yes”.
- Stopping treatment is considered when the patient is free of all symptoms for several months and has no recurrence of Lyme symptoms during stress, cold, surgery, etc.
- Dr. Corson likes Advanced Labs for Lyme culture, IGeneX for Lyme and co-infection evaluations, Fry Labs for co-infections, MDL for viruses, Mycoplasma and Chlamydias (among others). She also thinks Clongen and ImmunoSciences are good labs. Testing is done with all newborns under her care at time of birth with the culture, and PCR in urine and cord blood. The antibodies in the baby are those of the mothers so you cannot reliably test a newborn using antibody-based testing.
- Eva Sapi PhD recently did a study that showed that Tindamax may be the best RX option for Borrelia and biofilms. Doxycycline increased the formation of cysts and may drive the microbes deeper if not used in high enough doses.
- Samento and Banderol were also highly effective for Borrelia, cysts, and biofilms in Dr. Sapi’s study; though they cannot be mixed in the same glass.
- Doxycycline at high doses combined with Tindamax was the best RX option.
- For heavy metals, Thorne Heavy Metal Support, trace minerals (heavy metals are often held by the body due to trace mineral deficiency), chlorella or algaes to bind. Moving metals around with a congested matrix or plugged-up organs leads to simply moving metals around and not removing them from the body.
- A question was asked about treating an asymptomatic 2 year old to avoid later problems. The risk of untreated disease is so great. The long-term risk of treatment is lower than the morbidity of the disease.
Disclaimer: While I attempted to accurately represent the statements of the various speakers, it is possible that the above contains errors or inaccuracies. If you have any corrections to the content listed above, please Contact Me.
