Association of Morgellons and Lyme disease

[georgia]

Exploring the association between Morgellons disease and Lyme disease: identification of Borrelia burgdorferi in Morgellons disease patients
Marianne J Middelveen1, Cheryl Bandoski2, Jennie Burke3, Eva Sapi2, Katherine R Filush2, Yean Wang3, Agustin Franco3, Peter J Mayne1 and Raphael B Stricker14*

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-5945/15/1

Abstract
Background
Morgellons disease (MD) is a complex skin disorder characterized by ulcerating lesions that have protruding or embedded filaments. Many clinicians refer to this condition as delusional parasitosis or delusional infestation and consider the filaments to be introduced textile fibers. In contrast, recent studies indicate that MD is a true somatic illness associated with tickborne infection, that the filaments are keratin and collagen in composition and that they result from proliferation and activation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts in the skin. Previously, spirochetes have been detected in the dermatological specimens from four MD patients, thus providing evidence of an infectious process.

Methods & Results
Based on culture, histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and molecular testing, we present corroborating evidence of spirochetal infection in a larger group of 25 MD patients. Irrespective of Lyme serological reactivity, all patients in our study group demonstrated histological evidence of epithelial spirochetal infection. Strength of evidence based on other testing varied among patients. Spirochetes identified as Borrelia strains by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or in-situ DNA hybridization were detected in 24/25 of our study patients. Skin cultures containing Borrelia spirochetes were obtained from four patients, thus demonstrating that the organisms present in dermatological specimens were viable. Spirochetes identified by PCR asBorrelia burgdorferi were cultured from blood in seven patients and from vaginal secretions in three patients, demonstrating systemic infection. Based on these observations, a clinical classification system for MD is proposed.

Conclusions
Our study using multiple detection methods confirms that MD is a true somatic illness associated with Borrelia spirochetes that cause Lyme disease. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment for this spirochete-associated dermopathy.

[Mike Baker]

Post by georgia
identification of Borrelia burgdorferi in Morgellons disease patients
Marianne J Middelveen1, Cheryl Bandoski2, Jennie Burke3, Eva Sapi2,
Katherine R Filush2, Yean Wang3, Agustin Franco3, Peter J Mayne1 and
Raphael B Stricker14*
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-5945/15/1
Abstract Background Morgellons disease (MD) is a complex skin disorder
characterized by ulcerating lesions that have protruding or embedded
filaments. Many clinicians refer to this condition as delusional
parasitosis or delusional infestation and consider the filaments to be
introduced textile fibers. In contrast, recent studies indicate that MD
is a true somatic illness associated with tickborne infection, that the
filaments are keratin and collagen in composition and that they result
from proliferation and activation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts in
the skin. Previously, spirochetes have been detected in the
dermatological specimens from four MD patients, thus providing evidence
of an infectious process.
Methods & Results Based on culture, histology, immunohistochemistry,
electron microscopy and molecular testing, we present corroborating
evidence of spirochetal infection in a larger group of 25 MD patients.
Irrespective of Lyme serological reactivity, all patients in our study
group demonstrated histological evidence of epithelial spirochetal
infection. Strength of evidence based on other testing varied among
patients. Spirochetes identified as Borrelia strains by polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) and/or in-situ DNA hybridization were detected in 24/25
of our study patients. Skin cultures containing Borrelia spirochetes
were obtained from four patients, thus demonstrating that the organisms
present in dermatological specimens were viable. Spirochetes identified
by PCR asBorrelia burgdorferi were cultured from blood in seven patients
and from vaginal secretions in three patients, demonstrating systemic
infection. Based on these observations, a clinical classification system
for MD is proposed.
Conclusions Our study using multiple detection methods confirms that MD
is a true somatic illness associated with Borrelia spirochetes that
cause Lyme disease. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal
treatment for this spirochete-associated dermopathy.

I might have one. *Something* is fleeing when I eat Wild Apple Leaves
(from volunteer Malus Domestica trees) or tinctures of the same.
Morgellons seems like a candidate cause for this.

It, apple leaves, was also the first thing to cure a lifelong juvenile
arthritis condition. That is Cure... not just treat. What ever it was
exited from affected joints and the skin covering them.