Innovative Treatments for Lyme Disease: Verita Neuro is Redefining What’s Possible with Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection, most commonly caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is carried by black-legged ticks. As the seasons change and more time is spent outdoors, the risk of tick bites and exposure to Lyme Disease increases. According to the CDC, approximately 476,000 people may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year in the United States.
This serious and often misunderstood condition can lead to long term complications, even after successful diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics, in what the CDC are calling “Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome”. Long-term effects of Lyme Disease may include fatigue, joint pain, cardiac complications, nervous system issues, cognitive issues, and neurological dysfunction. A study conducted by the Global Lyme Alliance and Brown University, suggested that as many as 10% to 20% of Lyme Disease sufferers could develop Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.
In many cases, the early symptoms of Lyme Disease can be confused with those of other bacterial or viral infections, making it extremely difficult to diagnose. Early symptoms of Lyme Disease can include fever, headache, fatigue, and a red, expanding rash, which may resemble a bullseye. However, the NHS estimates that around 1 in 3 people will develop this most characteristic rash symptom.
Several well known names have brought attention to Lyme Disease over the years. Justin Bieber, the most recent to share his diagnosis, spoke publicly about how the condition affected his energy, skin, and neurological function. Avril Lavigne revealed her lengthy battle and recovery, while Shania Twain discussed how Lyme affected her vocal cords and forced her away from music. Ben Stiller has also spoken about managing the arthritic symptoms of Lyme Disease. Bella Hadid and her brother Anwar Hadid continue to share their experiences with chronic fatigue and pain linked to the disease.
At Verita Neuro, we support patients living with the ongoing effects of Lyme Disease through Stem Cell treatment designed to reduce inflammation, regulate the immune system, and promote neurological repair. If you are living with persistent symptoms following your treatment for Lyme Disease and are looking for next step solutions, our expert team at Verita Neuro would love to help.
Causes of Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is caused by bacteria, primarily Borrelia burgdorferi in the United States. This bacterium is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected black-legged tick, also known as a deer tick. Ticks typically need to be attached for 24 hours or more to human skin to transmit the bacteria effectively. The risk of transmission increases the longer a tick remains attached, with outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, gardening, and hunting in endemic areas significantly raising the likelihood of tick bites.
Ticks are typically found in wooded and grassy areas, often clinging to tall grass, shrubs, or leaves waiting to latch onto a passing host. The lifecycle of the black-legged tick includes multiple stages: larva, nymph, and adult. Both nymphs and adults are capable of transmitting Borrelia burgdorferi. Nymphs, being smaller and harder to detect, are responsible for most human Lyme Disease cases.
Dr. Nasir explains how Stem Cell Treatment may support patients living with long term effects of Lyme Disease, including chronic fatigue, joint pain, and neurological dysfunction.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
The symptoms of Lyme Disease can vary significantly from person to person and also depend on how long the infection has persisted. Initial symptoms often occur within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite and typically include:
- A red, expanding rash (erythema migrans) at the site of the tick bite, which may resemble a bullseye pattern. This rash appears in approximately 70-80% of infected individuals.
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Muscle and joint aches
As the disease progresses, particularly in the absence of treatment, symptoms may intensify and become more systemic. In a few days to a few weeks, multiple erythema migrans lesions may appear on different parts of the body. Other symptoms during this stage can include flu-like symptoms, lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes), joint pain, muscle pain, and neurological issues such as facial nerve palsies, also known as Bell’s Palsy.
Complications of Untreated or Inadequately Treated Lyme Disease
If Lyme Disease remains untreated, it can cause further complications including:
- Arthritis: Joint pain and swelling, particularly in large joints like the knees.
- Neurological problems: Numbness, tingling, weakness, cognitive issues, memory problems, and nerve pain. These complications can be extremely difficult to treat and, in some cases, may lead to permanent loss of neurological functions.
- Cardiac issues: Heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and in rare cases, life-threatening heart block.
- Long-term fatigue and malaise
- Frequent headaches
Diagnosis of Lyme Disease
Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical assessment, a history of potential tick exposure, and blood tests, often called Lyme Disease Serology, to detect antibodies produced in response to the Lyme bacteria. The serology tests commonly check for specific antibodies called IgM and IgG, which appear at different stages of infection.
During the early phase of the disease, the diagnosis of Lyme Disease could be particularly challenging, as antibodies may not yet be detectable. This means that many early cases might be missed if the clinical signs, such as erythema migrans and known tick exposure, are not identified. As the disease progresses, blood tests become more reliable, though limitations remain, particularly in chronic and long-standing cases.
Traditional Treatment of Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is typically treated with a course of antibiotics, including doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime. Treatment is most effective when initiated early. Patients often require many weeks, and in certain cases, months of intensive antibiotic treatment to address the primary bacterial infection.
In many patients, initial symptoms subside following a course of antibiotics. However, in a proportion of cases, the disease may return or persistent symptoms may remain, requiring additional or prolonged courses of antibiotics.
Repeated antibiotic therapy for chronic Lyme Disease remains a topic of debate in the medical community. Clinical trials have shown varied results, and ongoing research is evaluating the efficacy and risks associated with prolonged antibiotic use in Lyme Disease Treatment.
Studies conducted over the last two decades in the United States and Europe have failed to prove that repeated antibiotic treatment is effective. Moreover, the prolonged use of antibiotics has been linked to serious and potentially deadly complications.
Lyme Disease Treatment with Stem Cells: Redefining What’s Possible
Long-term complications, collectively known as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome, may occur in some patients even after appropriate antibiotic treatment. This could be due to factors such as misdiagnosis, late diagnosis, inappropriate treatment, or persistent immune dysfunction triggered by the initial infection. In some cases, long-term complications persist despite correct diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy.
The use of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) treatment is increasingly being explored to address these lingering symptoms and complications. MSCs are a form of regenerative cell therapy, with remarkable immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and regenerative properties.
Different sources of MSCs include:
- Bone marrow-derived MSCs
- Adipose tissue-derived MSCs
- Placenta-derived MSCs
- Umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UCMSCs)
- Peripheral blood-derived MSCs
These various sources of mesenchymal Stem Cells possess slightly different properties based on their relative prematurity and origin. Among them, umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal Stem Cells (UCMSCs) are considered particularly potent due to their youthful nature, higher regenerative capacity, and non-immunogenic profile.
At Verita Neuro, Mesenchymal Stem Cells are derived from the umbilical cord (UCMSCs). Umbilical cords are considered medical waste following healthy, full-term births and thus pose no risk to donors.
How Mesenchymal Stem Cells work through several mechanisms in treating Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome:
Mesenchymal Stem Cells work through several mechanisms in treating PTLDS:
- Immunomodulatory and Anti-inflammatory Effects: PTLDS may result from a continuous immune response even after the Lyme bacteria has been cleared. MSCs help modulate the immune system, reducing ongoing inflammation.
- Regenerative Potential: Symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, and cognitive dysfunction may be linked to tissue damage from the initial infection. MSCs contribute to tissue regeneration, including joint and cartilage repair, potentially alleviating these chronic symptoms.
- Antioxidant Properties: Oxidative stress plays a significant role in many chronic diseases, including PTLDS. MSCs have known antioxidant properties that help manage oxidative stress and reduce cellular damage.
- Cytoprotective Effects: MSCs also exhibit cytoprotective actions, safeguarding cells from harmful agents and supporting tissue health in situations where ongoing immune responses might otherwise damage healthy cells.
Lyme Disease Treatment with Stem Cells at Verita Neuro
Verita Neuro are experts in Stem Cell Treatment, available at our hospitals in Guadalajara, Mexico and Bangkok, Thailand. Widely regarded as one of the most promising advancements in neurological care, Stem Cell Treatment has been at the heart of our research and development for over 10 years. We’re proud to offer the highest quality Stem Cells, produced in our own state-of-the-art laboratory, recently opened inside our Mexico hospital.
If you or a loved one are seeking treatment options for Lyme Disease you can schedule a free consultation with one of doctors. Please note that every patient is different and results will vary. All treatments are subject to eligibility and clinical assessment.
References:
1- Squillaro T, Peluso G, Galderisi U. Clinical Trials With Mesenchymal Stem Cells: An Update. Cell Transplant (2016) 25(5):829–48. doi: 10.3727/096368915X689622.
2- Minguell JJ, Erices A, Conget P. Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) (2001) 226(6):507–20. doi: 10.1177/153537020122600603.
3- Maharlooei MK, Bagheri M, Solhjou Z, Jahromi BM, Akrami M, Rohani L, et al. Adipose Tissue Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell (AD-MSC) Promotes Skin Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats. Diabetes Res Clin Pract (2011) 93(2):228–34.
4- Wilson A, Hodgson-Garms M, Frith JE, Genever P. Multiplicity of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Finding the Right Route to Therapy. Front Immunol (2019) 10:1112. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01112
5- Abbaszadeh H, et al. Regenerative potential of Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal Stem Cells: a new horizon of Stem Cell therapy. J Cell Physiol. 2020;235(12):9230–4
6- Saeedi P, Halabian R, Imani Fooladi AA. A revealing review of mesenchymal Stem Cells therapy, clinical perspectives and Modification strategies. Stem Cell Investig. 2019;6:34.
7- Patel DM, Shah J, Srivastava AS. Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal Stem Cells in regenerative medicine. Stem Cells Int. 2013;2013: 496218.
