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Article Summary:
- Bartonella is a bacteria transmitted by ticks, fleas, animals, and even spiders, but most people don’t know much about it.
- Bartonella is a stealth infection that causes a variety of human neurological, inflammatory, and chronic diseases.
- Bartonella infection is often found in coinfection with Lyme disease bacteria and/or the Babesia parasite.
- Animals can easily contract a Bartonella infection from a flea or tick bite.
- Bartonella henselae is mainly carried by cats and causes cat-scratch disease and several other serious diseases in humans.
- Testing for Bartonella infection can be unreliable as the bacterial hides in the body.
- Bartonellosis is often mild, but in chronic cases, it can be severe and affect the entire body.
- Bartonella can cause what appears like stretch marks on the skin, which are referred to as striations.
- A lot of people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome diagnoses may be dealing with Bartonella.
- Thyroid issues are common with Bartonella infection.
- Infected people may have problems sleeping and mood issues such as anxiety and depression.
- Bartonella can affect the nervous system as well.
- Bartonella infection has an intravascular phase where the bacteria live in the blood vessels.
- Bartonella plays a role in autoimmune disease.
- An essential step in getting rid of Bartonella bacteria is re-establishing proper balance in the body.
- Bartonella sufferers can start recovery by building up their immune system and making the body’s environment inhospitable to the pathogens.
- There are herbal and other drug-free options for the treatment of Bartonella that may be very similar to the protocols used for Lyme disease or Babesiosis.
- It can be a wise decision to use a comprehensive approach instead of just trying to eradicate Bartonella bacteria. Rather than aiming to take down the bacteria, you can accomplish a great deal by addressing the imbalances in the body.
Bartonella: How Do I Know If I Have It?
Bartonella is everywhere—so why don’t more people know about it? Bartonella is a bacteria transmitted by ticks, fleas, animals, and even spiders, but most people don’t much about it if they’ve even heard of it at all. Some people may be familiar with cat scratch disease, an illness transmitted to human through a cat scratch.
Bartonella: What Is It?
Bartonella is a stealth infection that causes a variety of human neurological, inflammatory, and chronic diseases.1 Infection with Bartonella bacteria is called Bartonellosis. The bacteria is often found in coinfection with Lyme disease bacteria and/or the Babesia parasite.
Animals are a common source of Bartonellosis. Animals, including pets, can easily contract a Bartonella infection from the bite of a flea or tick. The infection can go from asymptomatic through many infectious cycles, causing symptoms and eventually affecting every system in the body.
Not all Bartonella species are known to cause disease in humans. However, Bartonella henselae causes an important emerging human infection first described as a new species in 1992. It is mainly carried by cats and causes cat-scratch disease and several other serious diseases in humans.2
Testing for Bartonella infection can be unreliable as the bacterial hides in the body. Although new methods for diagnosing it are showing promise, treating Bartonella infections in both animals and humans can be challenging.
Bartonella Infection: Symptoms
Bartonellosis is often mild, but in chronic cases, it can be severe and affect the entire body. Early signs are fever, fatigue, and headache. Bartonella can cause lymph nodes to swell 1-2 weeks after infection. Swollen glands are typical around the head, neck, and arms. It has been known to cause:3
- Headaches
- Swollen lymph nodes in head, neck, and armpits
- Fatigue
- Brain encephalitis
- Inflammation of the lymph nodes (sarcoidosis)
- Seizures
- Striated rash (stretch marks)
- Fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue diagnosis
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain and cramps
- Visual blurring and other eye issues
- Poor appetite
- Neurocognitive symptoms
- Anxiety and depression
- Endocarditis
- Thyroid issues
- Neuropathy in the hands and feet
- Elevated blood pressure
- Soreness or burning on the bottom of the feet
- Gastritis and abdominal pain
Bartonella can cause what appears like stretch marks on the skin, which are referred to as striations. This characteristic streaky, striated skin rash often found on the flanks in the lower back near the kidney area typically doesn’t appear in conjunction with stretching of the skin due to weight gain or steroid use.4
A lot of people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome diagnoses have Bartonella. They may have muscle cramps usually in the calves at night before bed. There can be pain or burning on the bottom of the feet, which is usually misdiagnosed as plantar fasciitis.5
Thyroid issues are common with Bartonella infection. Infected people may have problems sleeping and mood issues such as anxiety and depression.6
Bartonella has an affinity for the neurologic system as well. Since the nerves are affected by the bacteria, there may be neuropathy in the hands and the feet. Bartonella infection has an intravascular phase, too. The bacteria can live in the blood vessels, which can raise blood pressure. Its effects on the blood vessels in the extremities can also lead to Raynaud’s, and patients may have white hands and fingers and cold hands and feet.7
Bartonella and Autoimmunity
Bartonella, like Lyme disease and Babesia infection, plays a role in autoimmune disease. The Bartonella bacteria hides in the body to escape detection and destruction by the immune system. So, it will reside in places where there is adequate blood supply like the thyroid, liver, epithelial linings, and kidneys.
In an effort to get at the bacteria that is hiding in the organs, the immune system will attack the organ, gland, or structure in an attempt to grab the Bartonella and destroy it. But unfortunately, the immune system often ends up causing damage to the organ, structure, or gland instead.8
An essential step in getting rid of pathogens like Bartonella, Babesia, and Borrelia (Lyme disease) is re-establishing proper balance in the body. Once the body is functioning well, and the immune system is balanced and engaged, the body can become hospitable and deadly to the microbes.
So, an effective strategy is to remove the things that aren’t supposed to be in the body including heavy metals, toxic chemicals, mold mycotoxins, Candida, parasites, dental infections, and continuous exposure to EMR/EMF toxicity. Then, the body can become healthy and balanced, and the immune system will be fully functioning, creating an inhospitable host for the microbes.
Bartonella Species Can Infect Endothelial Linings
Bartonella bacteria are known to sustain themselves by drawing nutrients from red blood cells (erythrocytes).9 Consequently, the bacteria are attracted to areas rich in blood flow such as the endothelium, the lining of the interior surface of the blood and lymphatic vessels. The bacteria can, in fact, invade red blood cells and endothelial cells.10
Unlike most vector-borne bacteria which live outside the body’s red blood cells and vascular endothelial cells (cells on the inside of blood vessels), Bartonella breaches the cell wall, hiding inside and adding to the challenge of getting rid of it. Thus, endothelial linings need extra protection and support. Numerous natural substances are known to support these vessel linings.
A Bartonella-Free Body through Balance
Understandably, people infected with Bartonella may have a lot going on in their bodies, particularly if they have other coinfections. Balancing the body is an essential first step. A Bartonella sufferer should often start by building up their immune system and making the body’s environment inhospitable to the pathogens. Usually, this kind of approach gets better results than just trying to kill off the microbes.
Any time a protocol is applied that works to minimize toxicity and kills off pathogens, the body may need time to detox and adjust. In this phase, it’s essential for the body’s drainage pathways to be open, free-flowing, and readily ridding the body of toxins and wastes.
The brain glymphatics, body lymphatic system, liver/bile duct pathway, kidney, and bowel all need to be functioning optimally to allow the wastes to leave the body. If this step is overlooked or omitted, an accumulation of wastes and debris can lead to worsening of symptoms or create detoxification (Herxheimer) reactions.
Bartonella Support through Natural Methods
There are herbal and drug options for the treatment of Bartonella. Bartonella treatment may be very similar to the protocols used for Lyme disease or Babesiosis. Supplements and herbs can address Bartonella symptoms and offer a Bartonella-infected patient a better quality of life by balancing the body and reducing the bacterial load. A combination of botanicals and dietary supplements can be helpful to treat Bartonellosis, including:
Japanese Knotweed root (Polygonum cuspidatum) seems to have a significant effect on Bartonellosis symptoms, and may be particularly useful because of its direct antimicrobial action, protective effects on the brain and neurological tissue, and anti-inflammatory effects on the blood vessels.11
Japanese knotweed tincture is known to have high levels of trans-resveratrol, which is the type of bioactive resveratrol the body uses. It has all kinds of favorable effects on the body—acting as an antibiotic, reducing inflammation, and interrupting inflammatory cytokine cascades.
Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom that has been a staple in Chinese medicine for centuries and is revered for its potent anti-aging and health-promoting effects. It is exceptionally good at cytokine intervention and decreasing inflammatory responses.12 It also balances immune function, modulating both an under-functioning immune system or an over-functioning (autoimmune) one.
Cordyceps is an adaptogenic herb, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress and maintain healthy stress levels. It can balance the hormones associated with stress and maintain healthy energy levels.
Recent research on the cordyceps mushroom has turned up even more impressive findings. This standout supplement can:
- Enhance athletic performance13
- Decrease inflammation
- Balance immune function
- Slow aging14
- Enhance sexual function
- Balance blood sugar levels
- Support heart health
- Possess anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties15 16
Side acuta is a botanical that specifically protects red blood cells from being invaded by bacteria and viruses. It has potent antimicrobial activity.17
L-Arginine is an amino acid that can protect and restore endothelial function by providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support to the endothelial cells.18 It can potentially reverse the endothelial cell damage caused by Bartonella.
EGCG (Epigallocatechin-3-gallate) is a flavonoid found in green tea that can decrease cytokine cascades and protect endothelial cells.19 EGCG is often taken with quercetin to increase activity and absorption.20
Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is one of the highly touted herbs native to the Amazon. It has a long history of traditional use for treatment of a wide range of inflammatory conditions. Cat’s claw contains compounds that are considered an immunomodulator, meaning it boosts or reduces immune system function depending on which is needed. It is known to be anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial.21
Another thing to consider: Bartonella symptoms often look a lot like those of a coinfection called Babesia, and Babesia often looks a lot like Bartonella. So, if you are not responding to treatment for Bartonella, there may not be a resolution or improvement in the symptoms until the Babesia is addressed. It may be easier to assume that you have both of them and go after both when designing a treatment protocol.
Bartonella: A Comprehensive Treatment Approach
Even if there is a definitive diagnosis of Bartonellosis, it can still be a wise decision to use a comprehensive approach instead of just trying to eradicate Bartonella bacteria. Rather than aiming to take down the bacteria, you can accomplish a great deal by addressing the imbalances in the body.
For one thing, your immune system will need to be engaged, focused, and able to overpower Bartonella and other infections. Furthermore, if you have heavy metal and toxic chemical buildup, ongoing EMR/EMF exposure, chemical toxicity, hormone imbalance or disruption, mold exposure, dental cavitations, or are affected with other parasites, it can adversely affect the immune system, and the opportunistic infections can take hold and thrive. Until you stabilize the body and eliminate those problems, you may have some success, but you’re likely not going to have the long-term success that will free you of Bartonella infection.
Even though Bartonella infection is a stealthy player in chronic illness, regaining control of your health and resetting your life is an attainable goal. If you’d like additional support addressing Bartonellosis, coinfections, and chronic illness, my At-Home Program for chronic illness has valuable information and protocols that you can work through on your own.
- Raven, T and James, J. “Bartonella is Everywhere, So Why Don’t We Know More About It?” northcarolinahealthnews.org, North Carolina Health News. 5 Dec 2013. Web
- ”Bartonella.” lymedisease.org, 19 Jun 2010. Web
- “CDC Identifies New Species of Bartonella in Humans.” LymeDisease.org, 8 Feb 2016. Web
- ”Got sweat? It Could Be Babesia with Dr. Evan Hirsch.” drjaydavidson.com, Dr. Jay Davidson, 22 Oct 2018. Web
- ”Got sweat? It Could Be Babesia with Dr. Evan Hirsch.” drjaydavidson.com, Dr. Jay Davidson, 22 Oct 2018. Web
- Schaller, James L et al. “Do Bartonella Infections Cause Agitation, Panic Disorder, and Treatment-resistant Depression?.” MedGenMed: Medscape General Medicine, vol. 9, no. 3, 13 Sep 2007. Web
- ”Got sweat? It Could Be Babesia with Dr. Evan Hirsch.” drjaydavidson.com, Dr. Jay Davidson, 22 Oct 2018. Web
- ”Got sweat? It Could Be Babesia with Dr. Evan Hirsch.” drjaydavidson.com, Dr. Jay Davidson, 22 Oct 2018. Web
- Pitassi, LH et al. “Bartonella henselae Infects Human Erythrocytes.” Ultrastructural Pathology, vol. 31, no. 6, Nov-Dec 2007. Web
- Harms, A and Dehio, C. “Intruders Below the Radar: Molecular Pathogenesis of Bartonella spp.” Clinical Microbiology Reviews, vol. 25, no. 1, Jan 2012. Web
- Fan, Peihong et al. “Anti-inflammatory Activity of the Invasive Neophyte Polygonum Cuspidatum Sieb. and Zucc. (Polygonaceae) and the Chemical Comparison of the Invasive and Native Varieties with Regard to Resveratrol.” Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, vol. 3, no. 3, Jul-Sep 2013. Web
- Sun, Y et al. “Regulation of Human Cytokines by Cordyceps militaris.” Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, vol. 22, no. 4, Dec 2014. Web
- Hirsch, Katie R et al. “Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation.” Journal of Dietary Supplements, vol. 1-13, 13 Jul 2016. Web
- Ning-Zhi, Tan et al. “The Lifespan-extending Effect of Cordyceps sinensis Cs-4 in Normal Mice and its Molecular Mechanisms.” The FASEB Journal, vol. 25, no. 1, Apr 2011. Web
- Lee, H. et al. “Anti-Cancer Effect of Cordyceps militaris in Human Colorectal Carcinoma RKO Cells via Cell Cycle Arrest and Mitochondrial Apoptosis.” DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, vol. 23, no. 1, 4 July 2015. Web
- Lee, S et al. “Anti-tumor effect of Cordyceps militaris in HCV-infected Human Hepatocarcinoma 7.5 Cells.” Journal of Microbiology, vol. 53, no. 7, July 2015. Web
- Obah, I. E., Akerele, J. O., & Obasuyi, O. “Antimicrobial Activity of the Ethanol Extract of the Aerial Parts of Sida acuta burm.f. (malvaceae).” Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, vol. 6, no. 4, Dec 2007. Web
- Heffernan, Kevin S et al. “L-arginine as a Nutritional Prophylaxis Against Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction with Aging.” Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, vol. 15, no. 1, 1 Jan 2011. Web
- Liu, Qet al. “EGCG Attenuates Pro-inflammatory Cytokines and Chemokines Production in LPS-stimulated L02 Hepatocyte.” Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai), 46, no. 1, Jan 2014. Web
- Wang, Piwen et al. “Quercetin Increased the Antiproliferative Activity of Green Tea polyphenol (-)-Epigallocatechin gallate in Prostate Cancer Cells.” Nutrition and Cancer, vol. 64, no. 4, May 2012. Web
- Herrera, DR et al. “In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Phytotherapic Uncaria Tomentosa Against Endodontic Pathogens.” J Oral Sci, vol 52, no. 3, Sept 2010. Web
What is difference between this and EBV? They sound pretty much like the same thing.
I have a black round something that attaches itself to the blood veins and many of my major veins in the front and back of my entire legs have really enlarged. Whatever I contracted last July 2018 has never been named . They are perfectly round. In different sizes. They have bitten thru my skin from the inside to the outside of my flesh on my left legs. My nervous system is weaker on that side. They have come out of the bm and sometimes are now a different color , like light clay brown but perfectly round in shape. They have caused major infection in my legs where they created large wounds but many in the open wounds . They have based at my flesh and bit thru around the old scars that they created. I have cellulite created from them . My left leg on the calf in the front of it gets large pockets of oval in shape fluid . If I wear really tight stockings it prevents that. They are most active at night. They constipate me . They go wild if I have any kind of sugar. Some come out if my pores and bite me. But those are very little. They also cling onto my clothes . I have tried to get this diagnosed from so many doctors and all I am accused of is saying it is psychosis. I have since gone to a very good natural nurse practitioner and said that many people are told this for a diagnosis. I have found out they do not like baby powder on my skin and it helps to stop them from biting me thru the skin and on the outside of the skin. They have caused major pain in my large muscle tissues and could feel one like dive very deep into my thigh tissue and it stays in the same place. They have shown up under the skin on my arms under the skin and I can see that they are perfectly round and as large as a small pea. They attach themselves to the vein. Not one doctor has ever tested for what they are and how to get rid of them. It has been s very humiliating and exhausting experience. So I have no idea what they are called and how to get them unattached from my veins and major muscles. I have seen tunneling raised up under my skin . Some in a weird square raised pattern and others in long raised straight and wider lines of a pattern. Maybe I have more than one kind of parasite. All I know is some have come out of my feet. And the other thing I seem to have contracted is a weird black tiny back 2 wing fly looking thing . The only time I was able to see when they once fell off of my body when I used Urax cream on my body and they all fell off my body at the same time and my anxiety went away and all my irritability went away. They were able to be seen on my white tile floor. I was like what are these and why couldn’t I see them on my body . But when they all died at the same time right away I could tell exactly what they looked like. Those are different from what eats my flesh . I also have foot fungus and have seen a dermatologist and has helped me with that. He also gave me a 500 milligram antibiotic and that helped heal when these horrible things bit thru my skin. But they try to bite thru still. The foot fungus doesn’t go completely away and I have used the cream for months. So I have no idea what I all have but they have caused severe damage to my body, joints, skin, nervous system and who knows what inside of my body. I have noticed as of recient that there are 4 round black spots under my nail on my toe that had nail fungus and they don’t go away either. It is hard to live this way everyday and I cannot go to anyone doctor and get any diagnosis. Can you help ?
I am a layperson, but recommend a program I have followed. Contact Advanced Cell Training to get rid of these. They deal with these issues effectively. They will listen and understand your problem and will help you get rid of the parasites. There is a solution for you. Build your immune system like Dr. Davidson recommends. He knows how to help you heal too. Many blessings for your restored good health.
Kathy Eggert – I hope you’ve found some relief from that craziness! Have you looked into Morgellons?
Many of these pathogens give us similar manifestations or symptoms and leave us vulnerable for EBV, which might be dormant in our system. The approach here makes sense. Build the immune system and deal the infection on multiple levels. I also like Samento, Oregano Oil, Garlic and other natural antimicrobials. I like green juices. I am a lay person, but I like to learn.