Understanding Lyme Disease Biofilms
Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, often presents with flu-like symptoms, fatigue, and joint pain. While antibiotics can fight early infections, some people experience persistent symptoms called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) or more commonly referred to as chronic Lyme Disease.
Biofilms are communities of bacteria encased in a protective shield. While research continues, Biofilms are emerging as a potential explanation for why Lyme Disease persists in some patients, even after full cycles of antibiotic treatment has been completed.. This article explores the link between these stubborn biofilms and the ongoing struggle some Lyme disease patients experience in their day to day lives.
What are Biofilms?
Biofilms are communities of bacteria that stick together on surfaces, surrounded by a self-produced shield-like membrane, called a Matrix. An easy way to think about it: the bacteria are grouped together in a castle, and this matrix acts like a moat around a castle, protecting the bacteria from its enemies like antibiotics and our immune system. The entire colony of bacteria, the castle they live in, and the moat surrounding the castle all combined is the Biofilm.
Just like living in a castle has its advantages for humans, living in a biofilm has many advantages for bacteria. Not only does the matrix shield the bacterial colony from the harsh environments and dangers of living in the human body, but the matrix offers further benefits to the Lyme bacteria. The bacteria utilize this matrix to communicate with each other, sharing nutrients and information throughout the colony. By working together, the bacteria can become stronger and more resistant to treatments.
Biofilms are not unique to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, as Biofilms can be found everywhere, from our teeth to the kitchen sink. While not all Biofilms are bad or unhealthy, there are instances when these natural biofilms can become infected with non-wanted bacteria, and there is evidence that some bacteria can create their own Biofilms.. When the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria overtake and move into the biofilm castle (or even build their own castle), they become protected, and are much harder for our immune system and/or antibiotics to fight off the infection.
Can Lyme disease Bacteria Form Biofilms?
The bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is a cunning adversary. Not only can it morph into different shapes to evade the immune system, but growing evidence suggests it possesses another survival trick: biofilm formation.
Scientists have successfully coaxed B. burgdorferi to form biofilms in controlled laboratory settings. These biofilms resemble the classic slimy cities of bacteria, encased in a protective matrix. Studies have shown these biofilms offer B. burgdorferi several advantages:
Antibiotic Resistance: The matrix acts as a barrier, hindering the penetration of antibiotics, making them less effective.
Immune System Evasion: The matrix can also mask B. burgdorferi from immune system cells, allowing the bacteria to persist undetected.
Chronic Reservoir: Biofilms can act as a reservoir for persistent bacteria, even after a course of antibiotics. These hidden bacteria can then re-emerge and cause a relapse of symptoms.
The Challenge of Studying Biofilms in the Body
While lab studies provide strong evidence, confirming biofilm formation in living humans with Lyme disease presents a significant challenge. Here's why:
Difficult Detection: Biofilms are often microscopic and difficult to visualize in tissues. Specialized techniques are needed, which aren't routinely used in clinical settings.
Mimicking Other Conditions: Similar structures can form due to inflammation caused by the infection itself, making it hard to distinguish true biofilms from these inflammatory byproducts.
Limited Research: Studying biofilms in a living body is a complex undertaking, and research in this area is still ongoing.
The Potential Link Between Biofilms and PTLDS
The existence of Lyme Disease biofilms could offer a potential explanation for Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome. Here's the theory:
1. Antibiotic Impenetrability
The biofilm acts as a physical barrier, hindering the efficacy of antibiotics. Consequently, B.burgdorferi nestled within the biofilm is able to survive and potentially repopulate once treatment ceases. This phenomenon, known as antibiotic tolerance, contributes to persistent infections and treatment failure observed in PTLDS.
2. Immune System Evasion
The biofilm matrix not only impedes antibiotics but also acts as a cloak against the immune system. Specific components of the ECM can dampen the host’s inflammatory response and hinder immune cells effectiveness. Additionally, the biofilm can mask surface antigens of Lyme Disease, making them unrecognizable to the immune system, further promoting bacterial persistence. This immune evasion by biofilms is a potential culprit behind the chronic inflammatory state observed in Lyme patients.
3. Reservoir of Persistence
Biofilms can function as a reservoir for viable but dormant B.burgdorferi bacteria. These dormant persister cells are phenotypically distinct from their actively multiplying counterparts and exhibit a heightened tolerance to antibiotics. The biofilm matrix provides a protective niche for these persisters, allowing them to survive harsh environments and evade immune clearance. When environmental conditions improve, these persisters can resuscitate and re-initiate infection. It is theorized that this reinfection is why it is hard to maintain remission without biofilms being addressed.
4. Chronic Inflammation
The presence of biofilms can trigger a cascade of inflammatory events within the host. The bacterial components and the biofilm matrix itself can stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by immune cells. This chronic inflammatory response, while initially intended to combat the infection, can eventually damage healthy tissues and contribute to the fatigue, pain, and other debilitating symptoms associated with PTLDS because of its on-going inflammation triggers in the body.
Dr. Eva Sapi's Stevia Study for Eradicating Biofilms
Dr. Eva Sapi, a researcher at the University of New Haven, has conducted promising studies on the potential of stevia to combat biofilms. Biofilms are clusters of bacteria that can be resistant to traditional antibiotics. In Dr. Sapi's research, liquid stevia extract, not the powdered stevia sweetener commonly used, showed significant effectiveness against biofilms formed by Lyme Disease.
The study compared liquid stevia extracts to various antibiotics and antibiotic combinations. While antibiotics increased biofilm mass, liquid stevia extract reduced it by about 40%. This suggests that stevia could be a valuable weapon against biofilms. Dr. Sapi's research holds promise for the development of novel treatments that target and eradicate biofilms, offering a potential breakthrough in battling chronic infections.
Therapeutic Strategies for Biofilms
Combination Antibiotic Therapy: Utilizing multiple antibiotics with different mechanisms of action could potentially improve biofilm penetration and eradicate bacteria within the biofilm.
Biofilm-Disrupting Herbals: They aim to disassemble the biofilm matrix using enzymes, chelating agents, or other compounds, rendering bacteria susceptible to antibiotics and immune clearance. See Eva Sapi’s research on Stevia as a natural biofilm buster.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Biofilms busters should not be taken without some sort of Lyme Disease protocol. While it is important to eradicate these biofilms, the bacteria will be released and needs to be addressed by a treatment protocol. Never start a new therapy without discussing it with your medical/treatment provider.
Conclusion
Biofilms present a significant challenge in treating Lyme disease, particularly in cases of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). The protective matrix of biofilms shields Borrelia burgdorferi from antibiotics and the immune system, contributing to persistent symptoms. Advancements in diagnostic techniques and biofilm-disrupting therapies are essential to effectively target these resilient bacterial communities and improve patient outcomes. Continued research is vital to developing strategies to overcome biofilm-associated Lyme disease persistence.
Editor’s Note: Lyme Warrior, a not-for-profit organization may earn a commission on sales of items referenced in this article. Please discuss all treatment options with your medical provider or Lyme Disease Protocol administrator.