Another CFS reader forwarded their lab results for bacteria and asked me to comment.

Range: (NG to 4+)

Under Beneficial Bacteria

• Lactobacillus Species- NG – No growth LOW SHOULD BE 2+
• Escherichia Coli 4+ HIGH SHOULD BE 2+
• Bifodobacterium 1+ LOW SHOULD BE 4+

Under Additional Bacteria

• alpha haemolytic Streptococcus NP 2+ BELOW AVG
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa NP 3+ LISTED AS POSSIBLE PATHOGEN AT THIS LEVEL

Beneficial Bacteria

Two of the three beneficial results matched the study from Australia in 1998. The last one (the high E.Coli) could be a problem with the test classifying Klebsiella/Enterobacter as E.Coli (since that was not listed), or a variation of the cartel of CFS bacteria.

I would suggest Mutaflor still because it is very effective for Crohn’s Disease — which studies has found to be very high E.Coli. Mutaflor is an aggressive good E.Coli that will reduce the E.Coli in this cartel of bacteria we wish to eliminate.

Troublesome Bacteria

The question is what to do about the two trouble some ones. First pass is always PubMed.

• alpha haemolytic Streptococcus : 27 Pub Med citations,
  • Associated with many diseases, including gum disease, Whipple’s disease, heart disease. It feels like a cartel follower.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa: almost 50000 Pub Med citations, “Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacilli are the cause of many serious hospital-acquired infections occurring primarily in patients within high-risk groups. ”
  • It also feels like a cartel follower.
  • 2013 article describes antibiotic resistance it shows to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides and quinolones. It is often described as Multiple Drug Resistant (MDR)
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms: Mechanisms of Immune Evasion.[2014] points to one of its mechanism of defense

Treatment Suggestions

For Streptococcus, the suggestion would be to take some Oral Probiotics Mints containing streptococcus in the hope that the new species will out-compete  (for example Now Foods Oralbiotic Blis[Streptococcus salivarius], Evora Plus Probiotic Mints [streptococcus uberius, streptococcus oralis, streptococcus rattus ]), I would avoid Udo’s Choice Probiotic Blends: Super5 Lozenge which has only 5% being Streptococcus thermophilus. When I have taken a couple of Evora mints in a day, I did notice digestive changes. Again, the more varieties of streptococcus to compete against it, the better.

The other route is kill and then replace. These article are of interest: Antimicrobial activity of Chinese medicine herbs against common bacteria in oral biofilm. A pilot study. [2010], Prophylactic effect of Andrographis paniculata extracts against Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). [2009]

Antibacterial screening of traditional herbal plants and standard antibiotics against some human bacterial pathogens[2013] found that our old friend turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn) was effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and Clove (S. aromaticum).

In addition to the above, using NAC and/or EDTA in a solution to gargle with (and swallow), should assist in breaking up some of the biofilms that both species use to defend themselves.

As always, consult with your knowledgable medical professional before starting any regime of probiotics or herbs.