Do Bartonella Infections Cause Agitation, Panic Disorder, and Treatment-Resistant Depression?

Here is a page with several articles and study citations about psychiatric problems that are associated with Lyme disease.
Posted 09/13/2007. James L. Schaller, MD, MAR; Glenn A. Burkland, DMD; P.J.
Langhoff
Three patients presented with acute psychiatric disorders associated with
Bartonella-like signs and symptoms. Each had clear exposure to ticks or fleas
and presented with physical symptoms consistent with Bartonella, eg, an enlarged
lymph node near an Ixodes tick bite and bacillary angiomatosis found only in
Bartonella infections. Laboratory findings and the overall general course of the
illnesses seemed consistent with Bartonella infection. Since Bartonella can
clearly cause neurologic disorders, we feel the presence of psychiatric
disorders is a reasonable expectation.
RESULTS-The previously discussed patients with presumed Bartonella seemed to
generally require higher dosing of antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or the use
of antipsychotics in order to function normally. Doses could be reduced as the
presumed signs of Bartonella infection remitted following antibiotic treatment.
All patients improved significantly and nearly achieved their normal, healthy
baseline mental health status.86 References & info about these doctors.
Visit the web page to read the full articles.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/bartonella/message/238

Bartonella info in Lyme Times

From Lymedisease.org, a 501c3 non-profit, empowering patients through Advocacy, Education and Research:

Regarding treating bartonella, the following publications of Lymedisease.org (in their magazine Lyme Times) explain in detail the treatment of Bartonella and Bartonella-like organisms (BLO's), including medications, side effects, dosages, etc:

• Lyme Times Patient issue #53
• Lyme Times Integrative Issue 47,
• Lyme Times Doctor's Forum Issue #51.

For more about the Lyme Times magazine, go to http://www.lymetimes.org/
or
http://www.lymedisease.org/lyme_times/about/about_lyme_times.html

Downloadable and printable pamphlets about various infections

Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District

http://lawestvector.org/Printable-Downloadable%20Pamphlets-RIFA.htm

Interesting reading about biting and stinging insects.

Bartonella Bacteria Associated with Rheumatoid Illness

Released: 4/23/2012 11:20 AM EDT
Source: North Carolina State University

Source:

http://www.newswise.com/articles/bartonella-bacteria-associated-with-rheumatoid-illness

Reprinted from Newswise —

A bacterium historically associated with cat scratch fever and transmitted predominately by fleas may also play a role in human rheumatoid illnesses such as arthritis, according to new research from North Carolina State University.

Bartonella is a bacterium that is maintained in nature by fleas, ticks and other biting insects. It can be transmitted to humans both by these parasites as well as by bites or scratches from infected cats and dogs. The most commonly known Bartonella-related illness is cat scratch disease, caused by B. henselae, a species of Bartonella that can be carried in a cat’s blood for months to years.

In collaboration with Dr. Robert Mozayeni, a rheumatologist based in Maryland, and Dr. Ricardo Maggi, a research assistant professor at NC State, Dr. Ed Breitschwerdt, professor of internal medicine at NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine and adjunct professor of medicine at Duke University, tested blood samples from 296 patients for evidence of Bartonella infection. The patients had previously been diagnosed with conditions ranging from Lyme disease to arthritis to chronic fatigue. Since rheumatic symptoms have sometimes been reported following cat scratch disease, the researchers wanted to see if these patients tested positive for B. henselae.

Of the 296 patients, 62 percent had Bartonella antibodies, which supported prior exposure to these bacteria. Bacterial DNA was found in 41 percent of patient samples, allowing investigators to narrow the species of Bartonella present, with B. henselae, B. kohlerae and B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii the most prevalent. The study appears in Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“Based upon this one study. we can’t definitively say that a subset of rheumatoid illnesses have an infectious origin,” Breitschwerdt says. “However, our results thus far do implicate Bartonella as a factor in at least some cases. If the link between Bartonella and rheumatoid illnesses is valid, it may also open up more directed treatment options for patients with rheumatoid illnesses.”

Note to editors: Abstract of the paper follows.
“Bartonella spp. Bacteremia and Rheumatic Symptoms in Patients from Lyme Disease–endemic Region”

Authors: Ricardo G. Maggi, Elizabeth L. Pultorak, Barbara C. Heggarty, Julie M. Bradley, Maria Correa, Ed Breitschwerdt, North Carolina State University; B. Robert Mozayeni, Translational Medicine Group, PC, Maryland
Published: Online ahead of print in Emerging Infectious Diseases

Abstract
Bartonella spp. infection has been reported in association with an expanding spectrum of symptoms and lesions. Among 296 patients examined by a rheumatologist, prevalence of antibodies against Bartonella henselae, B. koehlerae, or B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii (185 [62%]) and Bartonella spp. bacteremia (122 [41.1%]) was high. Conditions diagnosed before referral included Lyme disease (46.6%), arthralgia/arthritis (20.6%), chronic fatigue (19.6%), and fibromyalgia (6.1%). B. henselae bacteremia was significantly associated with prior referral to a neurologist, most often for blurred vision, subcortical neurologic deficits, or numbness in the extremities, whereas B. koehlerae bacteremia was associated with examination by an infectious disease physician. This cross-sectional study cannot establish a causal link between Bartonella spp. infection and the high frequency of neurologic symptoms, myalgia, joint pain, or progressive arthropathy in this population; however, the contribution of Bartonella spp. infection, if any, to these symptoms should be systematically investigated.

ACAM Podcast link!

Here's an incredible link to the American College for the Advancement of Medicine (ACAM) recorded lectures.
As many as 76 talks, all free. All are about integrative medicine and alternative treatments. Much of these apply to Lyme treatment. They are podcasts and can be played in iTunes. You can also subscribe and the downloads will happen automatically.

http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-acam-podcast/id351890855

Removing Heavy Metals Like Mercury from the Body Is “Dangerous”?

The Alliance for Natural Health USA

April 24, 2012

Not only are doctors being advised to reject chelation therapy—they're being asked to report on their colleagues who practice it.
The American College of Medical Toxicology held a conference at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this past February about the "use and misuse" of chelation therapy—a misleading title suggesting some semblance of scientific objectivity, which was nowhere in evidence. The conference was more like a Salem witch hunt in which chelators played the role of the accused witches and warlocks.
Why is chelation so threatening to mainstream medicine? There is no disputing that heavy metals are extremely toxic. The human body is engineered to remove small amounts daily, but not the large amounts we often pick up from modern sources. One of those sources has of course been vaccines, which have used mercury as a preservative (it is still used in the US flu shot). Another source has been dental "silver" amalgam, which also contains mercury. This may be part of the reason for the hostility to chelation.

Read the whole story:

http://www.anh-usa.org/removing-heavy-metals-like-mercury-from-the-body-is-dangerous/

Blood test looks promising in diagnosing depression

A preliminary study finds certain biological markers in the blood of teens with depression that are absent in healthy counterparts. It could lead to the first diagnostic testing for depression.

By Melissa Healy, Los Angeles Times

April 17 2012, 6:39 PM PDT

Even among psychiatric disorders, depression is a difficult disease to diagnose. Its causes remain a mystery, its symptoms can't be defined with precision, and treatments are spotty at best.

The complete article can be viewed at:
 http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-depression-blood-test-20120418,0,6787106.story

Visit latimes.com at http://www.latimes.com

Starting to get spider veins

I am not sure of the reason for this development but I am starting to get spider veins on my legs. They have developed pretty quickly and I can find a new one almost weekly. One LLMD thought it was a sign of Bartonella infection. My dermatologist suggested that I start wearing compression hose.

Oldest evidence of Lyme in humans

By: Wynne Parry, LiveScience Senior Writer 
Published: 02/28/2012 12:40 PM EST on LiveScience

The 5,300-year-old ice mummy dubbed Ötzi, discovered in the Eastern Alps about 20 years ago, appears to have had the oldest known case of Lyme disease, new genetic analysis has revealed.

As part of work on the Iceman's genome — his complete genetic blueprint — scientists found genetic material from the bacterium responsible for the disease, which is spread by ticks and causes a rash and flulike symptoms and can lead to joint, heart and nervous system problems.

PHOTOS BELOW.

The new analysis also indicates the Iceman was lactose intolerant, predisposed to cardiovascular disease, and most likely had brown eyes and blood type O.

Read article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/28/otzi-the-icemans-genome-reveals_n_1307532.html

Leo Gallard, MD, Huff Post article about surge in Lyme

Posted: 04/18/2012 8:06 am
Lyme Disease: The Perfect Storm Is Headed Our Way

Leo Galland, M.D. Practicing physician, author and leader in integrated medicine.

Blood-sucking ticks coming to a field and forest near you.

That may sound like the latest horror film, but unfortunately it is a reality due to a surge in ticks that spread Lyme disease this spring.

Fortunately, the media interest in Lyme disease appears to be growing with the threat. At the start of the month I was interviewed on Martha Stewart Living Radio about Lyme disease....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leo-galland-md/lyme-disease_b_1429984.html