In the biological universe, we live in world of winners and losers. Organisms live, consume resources and replicate. Our immune system has evolved complex functions to keep vigilant to its environment and defend the body from invaders. Sometimes though, our immune systems are not able to handle the infection load. For many people with chronic illness, the infective agent is never identified and treatments have poor outcomes. Humans are frequently reminded that they still have a lot to learn about this biological universe. Recently in the news the Zika virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. This illness is usually mild with symptoms la
Mayo Researchers have discovered an entirely new Borrelia species that causes Lyme disease. The video below both explains how they discovered the new species and provides some conservative testing recommendations. The new species, Borrelia mayonii, has only been detected in the upper Midwest. Infected patient's symptoms differ from Borrelia burgdorferi infection by presenting with a diffuse rash (verses a bulls-eye rash) and having GI side effects like nausea and vomiting. Patients also seem to have significantly worse bacterial counts and very severe sequela; including multiple hospitalizations. Existing lab testing will identify B. mayonii and it is believed that current antibiotic treatme
