Lyme Disease and Biofilms - Part I

Enzymes and other agents are recommended in Tick Disease protocols to degrade the biofilm "slime" layer of pathogens. Lyme spirochetes are found to aggregate (gather) in biofilms.

Until 2009, protocols focused on eradicating individual pathogens, with little attention paid to biofilms. Newer protocols aggressively address the biofilm as a colony of bacteria with a defensive barrier. Under the protective barrier of biofilms, pathogens aggregate and multiply, greatly increasing virulence.

What are Biofilms? A biofilm is a multicellular colony of microorganisms and extracellular (outside of the cell) materials that stick to one another or a surface. In some camps, biofilms are referred to as " slime ." ( If you have ever left carrots in your refrigerator too long, you will encounter a slimy film on their surface. This is biofilm.)

Biofilms act like an intelligent community of pathogens, and embedded pathogens appear to have a signaling communication system. The pathogens aggregate together, then signal one another to secrete the sticky, protective matrix and express proteins. As biofilms stick to the tissue, inflammation and tissue damage occur.

Biofilms can be composed of multiple species of pathogens. Extracellular products : The biofilm forms a matrix. The matrix is rich in sugars, called extracellular polymeric substance (EPS). Biofilms are adhesive and protect pathogens from the body's immune system and antibiotics. In addition to polymers, it is composed of extracellular DNA, proteins that are expressed by the pathogens, polysaccharides, metals, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron.

Borrelia cell membranes: Many bacterias and viruses are considered to be "enveloped organisms." Lyme bacteria exhibit a double cell membrane envelope structure (with an outer and inner membrane ). However, the structure of the spirochete envelope is significantly different from the typical double membranes of gram-negative bacteria .

At this time (2011) the outer membrane of Borrelia is determined to be fluid-like, and it is composed of 45-62% proteins (high in lipoproteins), 23-50% lipids (high in glycolipids), and 3-4% carbohydrates. Lipoproteins (made of proteins and lipids) in Borrelia play a major role in the inflammatory response within the infection sites in the body.

One of the functions of the lipoprotein is that it acts as an adhesin in order that the organism can stick to surfaces . It has been found in research that the outer membrane is susceptible to disruption by the use of detergents . However, the organism itself appears to have a pump system, whereby substances that are internally toxic to it may be removed - these substances include detergents, bile salts, antibiotics , dyes, and heavy metals.

Newer natural healing protocols include proteolytic enzymes and other agents to address and prevent biofilm. Go to www.HerbsForLyme.com and click on "Biofilm Protocol" to learn more and order products at a discount.

*Remember, as more research is done, protocols will change to include the best remedies. Always go to www.HerbsForLyme.com for future updates.

Source: Borrelia: Molecular Biology, Host Interaction and Pathogenesis, 2010