Details on how Lyme spirochetes persist after antibiotics
Lyme disease researcher Monica Embers, PhD, recently joined Robert Herriman, MPH, on Outbreak News This Week Radio Show.
They discussed two of Dr. Embers’ published research projects where she demonstrates that Borrelia burgdorferi—the bacterium that causes Lyme disease—is able to survive a 28-day course of antibiotics when treatment is begun four months after infection.
Dr. Embers is an assistant professor in the Division of Bacteriology and Parasitology at Tulane University. Her background is in microbiology and immunology, with the focus of her research on Lyme disease pathogenesis, antibiotic efficiency and immunodiagnostics. She is the author of 74 publications.
Her most recent research used animal models to study the natural course of infection in two groups of non-human primates.
Both groups were infected with Lyme disease. Half of the group (the controls) received no treatment, while the other half received a “standard” course of antibiotics.
The results of the study show that—with or without antibiotics—both groups had persistent Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes one year after infection, with a wide variety of biomarkers and degree of infection.
Click here to listen to the interview.
Not news to me. I’ve had this freaking disease/diseases for 30 years, with 28 days of doxy (after a positive Western Blot) given to me after 3 years of illness.
Thank you Dr. Embers! Was misdiagnosed for four months with an upper resp infection in 2015. Knew it was a tick bite (had rash with all symptoms). In 2016 I was Finally put on antibiotics for four months by a LLD, all I could afford,( because my Medicare, BC/BS, GHI, SHIP and AARP/Met Life) refused to reimburse nor pay. For the past three years I was unable to find a doctor to treat me or my insurance would cover. Have been ill the entire time. Recently I developed two infections. Have been treated with antibiotics for last four weeks. Infections are still present but have shown great improvement. I am feeling the best I have in three years! At least I feel good for most of the day and all joint pain stays away! Can “function” !!! Happy to have an infection! Hope I can continue on these antibiotic until they clear all my TBDs symptoms. Maybe I will finally have my life back! You have given me hope!
Phyllis, I’m at the end of my rope. After 30 years of this disease that just keeps on getting worse, I don’t know what to do. My PCP gave me a prescription for 30 days of zithromax 500 mg with 5 refills because my hands and arms were grossly inflamed and swollen, even though he had no idea of the cause. I’ve taken 2 courses over the past 5 months, but all I’ve gotten is a very sore mouth (?candida) that doesn’t respond to any treatment. Since my PCP doesn’t believe in chronic Lyme, he is of no help.
I have a long term progressively spreading rash that seems to be cyclical, but it doesn’t respond to z-max or the numerous herbal anti-microbials based on Buhner protocol that I’ve been taking for the past few months, as well as a special very limited diet, although I’m not perfect at following the diet.
Anyone, if you have any ideas, please share them.
Thanks, Martha
YES 25 YRS. U NEED A GOOD PRO BIOTIC PRODUCT FROM HEALTH STORE. I’ve BEEN ON Z 500 FOR A LONG TIME. STARTED to have bad hip pain and bad limp had x ray nothing. I started to get bronchitis went on bioxin and doxcy. stopped the pain and limp. We added flagel its been 2 wks. Other than very tired no pain.
Please tell me the difference between the spirochete of syphilis and the spirochete of Borrelia burgdorferi, it’s image microscopically I mean. This article explains what may be behind the cause of lyme disease’s purported resistance to antibiotics https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=bartonella+mimicking+Borrelia+burgdorferi. But I wonder why our medical establishment doesn’t know this already. Medical books of the past – and patients with lyme disease in the past – responded well to the treatment for lyme disease. Moreover, if lyme disease is called the “Great Imitator” and syphilis is called the “Great Imitator,” isn’t it possible they may be imitating each other? Is it a new strain? In the Reader’s Digest Medical Manual, dated 1989-90, it noted a strain of syphilis that can be transmitted by “kissing.” Are we more advanced in medicine today, or are we not capable of making deducements regarding microbiology. As far as I see it, ALL patients with resistant Lyme disease ought to be getting intravenous antibiotics, not “oral” medications. It seems like a “no-brainer.”
I couldn’t agree more. However, I’ve been on orals for 5 years now and I’m at the end of my rope. Although, I know I was bit as a child. I’ve never had any IV antibiotics because I’ve just assumed my insurance won’t cover it although my sisters does. So maybe worth a try. My select scan showed highlighted areas in both hemispheres indicating infection. And I think they briefly in the beginning mentioned IV for me. Do parasites only respond to oral? Thanks for your help!