This is a good summary article of the role mycoplasma play's in RH, and others diseases.
I'm half way through Henry Scammell's book. It's only a week away before I see the Doc doing AP.
I'm very confident at the moment (I don't want to be disapointed again) that I have M. fermentans Mycoplasma. I know my ellimination of all bug feeding foods confirms this. I've been quite strict on my diet the last 6 weeks, as I had a flare up which needed to be contained. I'm now at the point where i feel it getting back under control. I want to give my body the best chance to fight the bug when I start the minocin. Anyhow I'll keep people posted as the weeks, months go on.
HEALTH FOR STAR PEOPLE PART TWO
To understand how mycoplasmas can cause widespread disease, we must first
look at the species' unique properties and interactions with host cells.
Unlike viruses and bacteria, mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living and
self-duplicating microorganisms, as they don't require living cells to
replicate their DNA and growth.
HOW MYCOPLASMAS INTERACT IN THE BODY
· Mycoplasmas are able to hide inside the cells of the host
(patient) or to attach to the outside of host cells.
· Whether they live inside or outside the host cell, they depend on
host cells for nutrients such as cholesterol, amino acids, etc. They compete
with the host cells for these nutrients which can interfere with host cell
function without killing the host cell.
· A mycoplasma has very little DNA of its own, but is capable of
using DNA from a host cell. When a mycoplasma takes over the DNA of the host
cell, anything can happen - including causing that cell to malfunction in
many different ways and/or die, or can cause DNA mutation of the host cell.
· Mycoplasmas attach to host cells with a tiny arm coated in protein
which attaches to the protein coating of host cells. For this reason,
antibiotics like tetracycline, which are classified as "protein synthesis
inhibitors" are often used against mycoplasma infections. While these
antibiotics may block this protein attachment and very slowly starve it from
the nutrients it needs from host cells to thrive and replicate, it still
takes a healthy immune system to actually kill the mycoplasma for good.
· Mycoplasmas are highly adaptable to changing environments and can
move anywhere in the body, attaching to or invading virtually any type of
cell in the body.
· The mycoplasma adhesion proteins are very similar to human
proteins. Once adhered to the host cell, the mycoplasma can completely mimic
or copy the protein cell of the host cell. This can cause the immune system
to begin attacking the body's own cells; an event that happens in all
autoimmune diseases.
· Certain Mycoplasma species can either activate or suppress host
immune systems, and they may use these activities to evade host immune
responses. Mycoplasmas can turn on the chain reaction called an immune
system response. This includes the stimulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines
(chemical messengers of the immune system) which is generally found in most
autoimmune and inflammatory diseases and disorders.
· Mycoplasma can also attach to or invade immune system cells, like
the very phagocytes (natural killer cells) that are supposed to kill them.
Inside these phagocytes, they can be carried to new locations of
inflammation or disease - hidden away like a spy who has infiltrated the
defending army.
· When a mycoplasma attaches to a host cell, it generates and
releases hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radicals which cause oxidative
stress and damage to the surrounding tissues.
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The Main Human Mycoplasma Pathogens
Pathogen / Implicated Disease (1-6)
Mycoplasma genitalium
Arthritis, chronic nongonococcal urethritis, chronic pelvic inflammatory
disease, other urogenital infections and diseases, infertility, AIDS/HIV
Mycoplasma fermentans
Arthritis, Gulf War Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,
Lupus, AIDS/HIV, autoimmune diseases, ALS, psoriasis and Scleroderma,
Crohn's and IBS, cancer, endocrine disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, diabetes
Mycoplasma salivarium
Arthritis, TMJ disorders, Eye and ear disorders and infections, gingivitis,
periodontal diseases including even cavities.
Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma urealyticum
Two mycoplasmas commonly found in the urogenital tracts of healthy persons.
However, over the years, the pathogenic roles of these mycoplasmas have been
proven in adult urogenital tract diseases, neonatal respiratory infections,
and a range of other diseases usually in immunocompromised patients.
Mycoplasma pneumonia
Pneumonia, asthma, upper and lower respiratory diseases, heart diseases,
leukemia, CNS disorders and diseases, urinary tract infections, Crohn's and
Irritable Bowel Syndrome, autoimmune diseases.
Mycoplasma incognitus and
Mycoplasma penetrans
AIDS/HIV, urogenital infections and diseases, Autoimmune disorders and
diseases
Mycoplasma pirum
Urogenital infections and diseases, AIDS/HIV
FOOTNOTES
Krause DC, Taylor-Robinson D. Mycoplasmas which infect humans. In: Maniloff
J, McElhaney RN, Finch LR, Baseman JB, editors. Mycoplasmas: molecular
biology and pathogenesis. Washington (DC): American Society for
Microbiology, 1992:417-44.
Murray HW, Masur H, Senterfit LB, Roberts RB. The protean manifestations of
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in adults. Am J Med 1975;58:229-42.
Baseman, Joel, et.al., Mycoplasmas: Sophisticated, Reemerging, and Burdened
by Their Notoriety. CDC, Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol 3, No.1, Feb
1997
Blanchard, A., et.al., AIDS-associated mycoplasmas. Ann.Rev.Microbiol. 1994;
48:687-712.
Hawkins, et.al., Association of mycoplasma and human immunodeficiency virus
infection: detection of amplified mycoplasma fermentans DNA in blood.
J.Infec.Dis. 1992: 165:581-585
Hussain AI, et.al., Mycoplasma penetrans and other mycoplasmas in urine of
human immunodeficiency virus-positive children. J Clin Microbiol. 1999
May;37(5):1518-23.
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Options For Mycoplasma Infections
The negative impact of a mycoplasmal infection on the human immune system is
undisputed. Due to it's ability to either activate or suppress the immune
system, it is now being considered one of the culprits of many autoimmune
diseases. Yet, scientists still argue over the "chicken or egg first" type
of sequence of events. Do the mycoplasmas begin growing and replicating
first and then weaken or deregulate the immune system? Or does a weaken
immune system caused by stress, poor diet or other illness allow the
mycoplasmas to take hold and begin their opportunistic growth and infection
resulting in chronic disease and to weaken and deregulate the immune system
even further? The answer is probably both, and it becomes one of the most
critical treatment aspects of mycoplasmal infections. In immunodeficient
patients it can be very difficult to treat these mycoplasma infections with
appropriate broad spectrum antibiotics which are immunosuppressive
themselves. Although the tetracycline and erythromycin types of antibiotics
are effective for some mycoplasmal infections, M. fermentans, M. hominis and
M. pirum strains are usually resistant to erythromycin, and
tetracycline-resistant strains of M. hominis and U. urealyticum have been
reported. However, these antibiotics have a very limited ability to directly
kill these mycoplasmas, and their efficacy eventually depends on an intact
host immune system to eliminate the mycoplasmas. These types of protein
inhibiting antibiotics will stop the protein adhesion of the mycoplasma to
host cells but won't directly kill the mycoplasma itself. With an already
weaken immune system, many patients lack the ability to mount a strong
antibody response against these deadly stealth pathogens to kill them
effectively.
Regardless, many physicians and rheumatologists are treating their
arthritis, CFISD, fibromyalgia and other mycoplasma infections with long
term antibiotic therapy. One of the more popular conventional protocols
involves rotating multiple 6 week cycles of Minocycline or Doxycycline
(200-300 mg/day), Ciprofloxacin (1,500 mg/day), Azithromycin (250-500
mg/day, and/or Clarithromycin (750-1,000 mg/day) among others.(1) Sometimes
the side effects of these strong antibiotics can be as bad as the symptoms
of the diseases they are treating since a minimum of 6 months and up to two
years of antibiotic therapy may be required. Many doctors now believe that
antibiotics should not be used solely or exclusively to treat mycoplasmal
infections, without addressing rebuilding the immune system which is
imperative for a complete recovery and eradication of infection. Others are
using more natural antibiotics found in plants which can be as effective or
more effective with fewer side effects or negative impact on the body.
One of the main side effects of antibiotics, whether it is a natural plant
antibiotic or a chemical antibiotic, is the loss of friendly bacteria that
is needed in the gastrointestinal system for proper digestion and
elimination. No antibiotic can differentiate a friendly bacteria from a
harmful one. Therefore, any time an antibiotic must be taken, especially
long term, taking a probiotic formula to replace friendly bacteria is
indicated and helpful in avoiding side effects like candida and fungi
overgrowth which can cause digestive and elimination difficulties and other
side effects. Several probiotic products are widely available
over-the-counter which combine these friendly bacteria - live cultures of
Lactobacillus acidophilous, Lactobacillus bifidus and other bacteria with
FOS (fructoologosaccharides) to promote growth in the gastrointestinal
system. It's important to take this type of supplement when taking
antibiotics of any kind and best to be taken either 3-4 hours prior to, or
after taking the antibiotic dosage. Full live-cultured yogurt contains
acidophilous and is a good food source for these friendly bacteria.
Another common side effect when taking antibiotics is called a Herxheimer
Reaction. This occurs from the organism die-off and generally is the first
indication that the antibiotic therapy is working. Symptoms that are
associated with a Herxheimer include: chills, fever, night sweats, muscle
aches, joint pains, lymphatic pain, mental fog, and extreme fatigue.
Depending on the severity of the infection and resulting die-off, these
symptoms can last 1-2 weeks and sometimes longer and can vary in intensity.
Drinking at least two quarts of filtered or distilled water every day to
flush the organisms from the body is helpful in reducing the length and
severity of a Herxheimer reaction. Another natural remedy to reduce
Herxheimer reactions and thought to be helpful in helping the lymph glands
to filter and remove dying organisms is a Whole Lemon-Olive Oil Drink. To
prepare this natural remedy, place one whole unpeeled lemon (washed) in a
blender with 1 cup of juice or water and 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive
oil. Blend in blender until smooth, then pour through a wire strainer.
Discard pulp and drink liquid.
Once the mycoplasmas are being controlled by some form of effective natural
or chemical antibiotic, re-nourishing and replacing the nutrients drained
from the infected host cells can help speed recovery and reduce symptoms. A
general multi-vitamin supplement plus extra C, D, E, CoQ-10, beta-carotene,
quercetin, folic acid, bioflavoids and biotin are necessary and helpful when
recovering from a mycoplasmal infection.
Supplementing back the depleted amino acids has been reported to be helpful
in some recovering from these infections. These include L-cysteine,
L-tyrosine, L-glutamine, L-carnitine, and malic acid. Remember, however,
that mycoplasmas thrive on arginine! Avoid L-arginine supplements and
multi-amino acid formulas containing L-arginine, as well as foods rich in
arginine to avoid feeding the mycoplasmas. The richest food sources of
arginine (to avoid) are nuts and seeds, including the oils derived from
seeds and nuts which should be eliminated or drastically reduced in the
diet.
Vitamins A, C and E, and other antioxidants found in natural plants, have
also been reported to help speed recovery and to minimize the oxidative
stress caused by mycoplasmas. One of the most popular antioxidants sold
today are various extracts of grape seeds. Remember however, most seeds are
rich in arginine, including grape seeds, and should generally be avoided.
Other helpful supplements to replenish drained nutrients from parasitic
mycoplasmas are generally indicated based upon which specific cells the
mycoplasma might be feeding on and which nutrients are being depleted.
Specifically with fibromyalgia patients, leading research indicates that
many of the hormones and enzymes produced in the neuroendocrine system and
Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis are depleted or malfunctioning which
have the ability to cause many of the symptoms found in these patients. Some
hormonal replacement therapy with thyroid hormones, or other natural hormone
supportive supplements like DHEA, progesterone and pregnenolone, and the
endocrine supportive herb, Maca (Lepidium meyenii) have been shown to be
helpful with many fibromyalgia patients.
Finally and most importantly is nutritionally supporting the immune system.
There are various natural products sold today which can stimulate and
support immune function. See Protocols for fibromyalgia/Gulf war syndrome
FOOTNOTES
Nicolson, et.al., Diagnosis and Integrative Treatment of Intracellular
Bacterial Infections in Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Syndromes, Gulf War
Illness, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Chronic Illnesses. Clinical Practice
of Alternative Medicine 2000; 1(2) 42-102
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TESTING FOR MYCOPLASMAS
Testing for mycoplasmas is much harder and more complicated than testing for
all other bacteria, which is one of the main reasons conventional medical
practitioners mis-diagnose or miss these types infections. The most reliable
testing method offered today is with a lab test called a PCR test
(Polymerase Chain Reaction). Even performing a PCR lab test on a standard
whole blood sample may not find the mycoplasma, simply because the
mycoplasma may be residing in other fluids and tissues in the body and not
the blood (i.e.; the fluid in the joints, in the spinal fluid, or in any
tissue cell like heart, liver, pancreas, endocrine organs, etc.). A PCR test
is generally performed by specific mycoplasma species. These laboratory
tests can be expensive, but are insurance reimburseable if ordered by your
primary care physician. Specific mycoplasma PCR tests are available through
these companies, both of which have more information on mycoplasmas in
general and testing at their websites:
Back
The Institute for Molecular Medicine
15162 Triton Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
714-903-2900
www.immed.org
Immunosciences Lab, Inc.
8730 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 305
Beverly Hill, CA 90211
310-657-1077
www.immuno-sci-lab.com
Greeno - nice find, thanks ~~ Cathyhi greeno interesting post..
Boney
Those things are like some sort of tiny hijackers. Fab info Greeno!
Information by Nicholson is also in the Poehlmann book, RA: The Infection Connection.
Interesting article for anyone new.If anyone would like to read more about Mycoplasma, there are several on my OA page, addy is in my sig. below.