Category Archives: Uncategorized

Unknown's avatar lassesen 12:01 am on February 1, 2016  

Staphylococcus aureus – the CFS maintainer?

My last two posts resulted from happenstance! While looking at vaccines as a possible trigger for CFS or CFS-like symptoms, I stumbled across a vaccine that resulted in significant remission for many CFS patients – a Staphylococcus aureus vaccine. Prior to this, I had been ping earlier in the week to investigate Protandim, a patented herb mixture which appears to result in major improvement/remission for several months and then stopped working. While investigating the individual herbs, I saw some were effective against staphylococcus aureus. I repeated my research for this specific bacteria and found they were particularly effective against staphylococcus aureus.

In this post I am going to explore if staphylococcus aureus (or some related unknown species) is likely connected to CFS and co-morbid conditions.  Then I am going to explore probiotics and herbs that appear to decrease staphylococcus aureus according to the literature. Remember staphylococcus aureus is the species and not the strain. Some strains may be good, other very bad and other may be neutral but support a dysfunction microbiome, i.e. a helper.

The Bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus

“Staphylococcus aureus persistently colonizes about 20 % of the population and is intermittently associated with the remainder. The organism can cause superficial skin infections and life-threatening invasive diseases. The surface of the bacterial cell displays a variety of proteins that are covalently anchored to peptidoglycan. They perform many functions including adhesion to host cells and tissues, invasion of non-phagocytic cells, and evasion of innate immune responses. The proteins have been categorized into distinct classes based on structural and functional analysis. Many surface proteins are multifunctional. Cell wall-anchored proteins perform essential functions supporting survival and proliferation during the commensal state and during invasive infections. The ability of cell wall-anchored proteins to bind to desquamated epithelial cells is important during colonization, and the binding to fibrinogen is of particular significance in pathogenesis.” [2015]

“Strains of Staphylococcus aureus, an important human pathogen, display up to 20% variability in their genome sequence, [2008] (note that between humans and chimpanzee is 4%)

A list of a few strains identified.

Wikipedia cites

Co-morbid Conditions

  • “the primary Sjogren’s syndrome subjects displayed an increased frequency of C.albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, enterics, and enterococci”[2001]
  • High level of Staphylococcus aureus reported in IBS [2011]
    • ” it is advisable that the use of rifaximin as a therapy for IBS should be limited to single, acute, short-term treatment.” [2013] – to prevent resistance developing
  • Dry Eye: “Eighty-eight strains were isolated (48 strains of Propionibacterium acnes, 26 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus [CNS] species, six Staphylococcus aureus strains, and eight others). Of the 26 CNS strains, 17 (65.4%) were fluoroquinolone resistant, including four (33.3%) of 12 methicillin-sensitive CNS and 13 (92.9%) of 14 methicillin-resistant CNS.” [2008]
  • Central nervous System: “Staphylococcus aureus plays an important role as a bacterial pathogen after traumatic injury. The majority of isolated strains produces alpha-toxin, a 33-kDa protein, with membrane-damaging and lethal effects. The central nervous system (CNS) has been considered as the possible target for the lethal action of this toxin.” [1991]

Probiotics

Note: Many studies cites “inhibits” which may anything from 1% less to 99% less. If 50% is inhibited, what is not inhibited will grow back to fill the vacuum.

Herbs and Spices

I have checked out the availability of some of the uncommon herbs. There has been no attempt to evaluate these against other bacteria families.

Grapefruit Seed Extract is NOT effective “the potent as well as nearly universal antimicrobial activity being attributed to grapefruit seed extract is merely due to the synthetic preservative agents contained within.”[1999]

Antibiotics

Staphylococcus aureus has become very resistant to most antibiotics. “Staphylococcus aureus is notorious for its ability to become resistant to antibiotics. Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant strains often occur in epidemic waves initiated by one or a few successful clones.” [2009]

  • “At a breakpoint of 32 μg/mL, rifaximin inhibited in vitro …100% of Staphylococcus aureus.” [2014]
    • It has had good reports in IBS
      • ” the efficacy of rifaximin for the resolution of overall IBS symptoms was greater than that of the placebos” [2016]
      • “Rifaximin proved more effective than placebo for global symptoms and bloating in IBS patients. The modest therapeutic gain was similar to that yielded by other currently available therapies for IBS.” [2012]

Bottom Line

Staphylococcus aureus is likely a significant player for some symptoms seen with CFS. Treating it is a challenge because of its ability to adapt around most antibiotics (and thus herbs/spices). Rotation is essential and the rotation should also include sources of each herb. Herbs and spices show natural variation and thus the wider the sources, the more likely that it will contain some variation of chemicals to further challenge this bacteria.

Rifaximin is effective at the moment, but there is great concern about it becoming resistant.

The experience with Rifaximin and IBS indicates that it is only a part of the dysfunctional microbiome. The vaccine and herb mixture likely was effective across a wider spectrum of bacteria than Rifaximin, hence the greater impact they have.

 

Unknown's avatar lassesen 6:02 pm on January 31, 2016  

Protandim -A con or temporal effective?

A reader who is very active in the community asked me to review this patented dietary supplement marketed by LifeVantage Corporation.  The reader wrote:

“I wonder if you have come across this supplement at all? It contains a blend of herbs that is supposed to up regulate nrf2. A handful of MECFS patients have taken it an experienced temporary remissions lasting about four months at which time it ceases to work.

I just started taking it four days ago and now have a raging fever/sore throat/sinus congestion. It is my first time having a normal immune response to a common virus since getting sick five years ago. It’s possible it’s a coincidence but I find that highly unlikely. My husband also has a cold (I think I caught it from him) but generally when he gets sick I just have a worsening of my ME symptoms or experience no change at all:”

My initial impression (aka hypothesis) is that it may deal with some vector of bacteria. It is effective against the general bacteria it impacts, but then those that have natural resistance starts multiplying and fill the vacuum of the killed bacteria. This pattern is common with antibiotics and antivirals. It is also why I strongly advocate rotate-rotate-rotate!

The nice thing about a patent supplement is that a patent has been filed and may be read. The patent is US20050226942 and filed in March 2005.

  • “induce the body’s production of the antioxidants SOD, CAT, and GPX,”

The ingredients in the current product are:

All of these are familiar in treating CFS except for Bacopa.

Method of Action

The product is sold for it’s anti-oxidant characteristics. Examining the ingredients one by one, we discover that every ingredient also has anti-bacterial properties. Staphylococcus aureus showed up for every ingredient— and given that a Staphylococcus aureus vaccine results in a significant recovery rate (as long as booster shots are given), the improvement reported appears very creditable.

Similarly, it stop working around 4 months is also very creditable because “antibiotic resistance” to these herbs would build up.

Bottom Line

While the anti-E.Coli aspect is not ideal, this mixture (or mixing your own from bulk powder) for up to ONE MONTH – is well worth trying. After one month, you should rotate to prevent resistant varieties arising. I would suggest at least 1 three month break at least, and preferably 6 months.

In a future post, I will drill down into herbs effective against Staphylococcus aureus in the hope of producing a potential rotation list.

NOTE: I am NOT saying that Staphylococcus aureus is the cause. What I am suggesting is that what is effective against Staphylococcus aureus, is reasonably effective against the bacteria involved.

Unknown's avatar lassesen 12:09 am on January 30, 2016  

A forgotten treatment for fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome?

While researching another topic, I came across this from 1998, Effects of  vaccine on pain and fatigue in patients with fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome. This is logical (just need the RIGHT vaccine) from observations made in my last post.

” Significant improvement was seen in seven of the 15 CPRS items in the vaccine group when pretreatment values were compared to post-treatment values. In CPRS <<fatiguability>>, there were significant intergroup differences, and in CPRS <<pain>> intergroup differences bordered on significance….  In a follow-up study of 23 patients, thevaccine treatment was continued for 2-6 years. Fifty percent were rehabilitated successfully and resumed half-time or full-time work.”

This was followed up with a 2002 study. ” The treatment was well tolerated. Intention-to-treat analysis showed 32/49 (65%) responders in the SB(vaccine) group compared to 9/49 (18%) in the placebo group (P<0.001). … An increase in CPRS symptoms at withdrawal was noted in the SB group. In conclusion, treatment with staphylococcus toxoid injections over 6 months led to significant improvement in patients with FM and CFS. Maintenance treatment is required to prevent relapse.” [2002]

“One hundred and sixty patients with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, who were on a continuous treatment with a Staphylococcus vaccine, were followed during one year with repeated consultation visits…. showed improvement from start of treatment and also further improvement during the follow-up year. In view of the natural history for these disorders the result is of interest.”[2006 article in Journal of Chronic Fatigue]

Discussion from 2010 on Phoenix Rising.

BENEFITS OF VACCINE FOR ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS:

  • Polyvalent vaccine targets antibiotic resistant strains of S. aureus
  • Provides protection against the most common strains of S. aureus
  • Targets toxins secreted from S. aureus
  • Mechanism of action targets surface proteins

1937 Paper is here.

The vaccine is available for veterinary use.

Bottom Line

It is worth while for a researcher to explore producing a series of vaccines for overgrowth species/strains in CFS/FM. It may be possible to do this with a similar method as was used in the 1930’s (i.e. not high tech). The 50% success rate seen in multiple studies is in line with a microbiome dysfunction that is multiple species — thus any single item will likely only be partially effective.

Recent literature and reports on the vaccine itself (National Institute of….):

Fast Track Clinical Trials (not for CFS):

 

Unknown's avatar lassesen 11:56 pm on January 28, 2016  

Vaccines and POTS

POTS co-morbid with CFS. It turns out that several vaccines that have a ‘vaccine syndrome’ which included POTS.

This is not that surprising, because the vaccine promotes an immune response which likely includes alteration of the microbiome.

“..a trend for reduced gamma-interferon in the CFS-vaccine group… Polio vaccination was not found to be clinically contraindicated in CFS patients, however, there was evidence of altered immune reactivity and virus clearance.” [1997]

The following illustrates how adverse effects are often deem “not significant” in a population [2011].

“RESULTS:

VAERS received 294 reports of AEs in pregnant women who received 2009-H1N1 vaccine: 288 after inactivated and 6 after the live attenuated vaccines. Two maternal deaths were reported. Fifty-nine women (20.1%) were hospitalized. We verified 131 pregnancy-specific outcomes: 95 spontaneous abortions (<20 weeks); 18 stillbirths (≥20 weeks); 7 preterm deliveries (<37 weeks); 3 threatened abortions; 2 preterm labor; 2 preeclampsia; and 1 each of fetal hydronephrosis, fetal tachycardia, intrauterine growth retardation, and cleft lip.

CONCLUSION:

Review of reports to VAERS following H1N1 vaccination in pregnant women did not identify any concerning patterns of maternal or fetal outcomes.”

Unknown's avatar lassesen 11:57 pm on January 26, 2016  

My racing heart! POTS and the new Ivabradine

“Racing heart” is also called Tachycardia. Cort Johnson did an excellent post of Dr.Visser back in 2013. Checking PubMed, I found a relevant study from 2011 on POTS patients (which often overlaps with CFS) using Ivabradine (only approved in the US in 2015). I have known some CFS patients that have been admitted into hospital because of this.

“Twenty-four ME patients with orthostatic intolerance underwent a conventional 10-min active standing test and echocardiography both on a “good day” and a “bad day”, defined according to the severity of their symptoms. The mean heart rate at rest was significantly higher on the “bad days” than on the “good days”. During the standing test on a “bad day”, 5 patients (21 %) failed to maintain an upright posture for 10 min, whereas on a “good day” all the 24 patients maintained it. Postural orthostatic tachycardia (POT) (increase in heart rate ≥30 beats/min) or severe POT (heart rate ≥120 beats/min) was observed on the “bad days” in 10 patients (43 %) who did not suffer from the severe tachycardia on the “good days”, suggesting the exaggerated sympathetic nervous activation.”[2015]

“Not only may patients be affected by more than one of these pathophysiologies but also the phenotype of POTS has similarities to a number of other disorders, e.g., chronic fatigue syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, vasovagal syncope, and inappropriate sinus tachycardia.”[2015]

A reader was just prescribed this and asked for an opinion… what PubMed find is:

  • “Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST) often causes palpitations, dyspnea, and exercise intolerance,…Ivabradine is effective and safe in short- and medium-term treatment of IST. [2015]
  • “In this cohort, ivabradine significantly improved symptoms associated with inappropriate sinus tachycardia and completely eliminated them in approximately half of the patients.”[2012]
  • “Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is associated with tachycardia on orthostasis….  At the time of data analysis, 11 (55%) patients continued to use ivabradine, the median duration of treatment was 25 weeks (range 7–113), median daily dose 5 mg (range 2.5–15) taken in one or two divided doses…All those who continued to take ivabradine (55% of POTS patients) reported fewer episodes of palpitations and tachycardia. Eight (44% of those who tolerated ivabradine) reported a reduction in fatigue….  Ivabradine appears to control POTS-related symptoms with an efficacy similar to conventional treatment.[2011]

Role of Bacteria?

Above we see that in CFS, tachycardia increases with the severity of CFS (good day/bad day) this hints that bacteria may play a role in this condition. This aspect does not appear to have been studied yet. Back in 2013, I posted my own observations of a 30% drop in heart rate after taking prescript-assist. It is also associated with throat infections.

Bottom Line

There is a potential to reduce or eliminate tachycardia by a shift of bacteria. The use of ivabradine is another route. It also appear to have desired side-effects:

Unfortunately, it has been studied only on it’s impact in a few areas.