THE SLIMY SECRET(S) TO
CHRONIC LYME DISEASE

Dr. Douglas Wine
Founder of Lyme Laser Centers, Inc.

Ever wonder why some people respond so quickly and effectively to antibiotics and many don’t? You may even be one of those unlucky cases. If you’ve been researching Lyme and trying to get answers from “Lyme Specialists” and haven’t heard of biofilms yet, we’re sorry it’s taken this long!

When infected with Lyme disease, the bacteria known as B. burgdorferi, excretes a film called a “biofilm”. This slimy layer of extracellular matrix can exhibit tremendous resistance to substances commonly recognized to eliminate the bacteria.

A biofilm is a complex polysaccharide film used as a ‘shield’ by the Lyme bacteria known as B. burgdorferi. This film is made up of simple sugars, known as monosaccharides (‘mono’ meaning ‘one’), to form a much larger molecule. B. burgdorferi has the ability to excrete this film as a protective mechanism. When threatened by any form of antimicrobials such as antibiotics, herbs, plants, or other natural or chemical substances that can potentially harm them, they surround themselves with this biofilm, protecting themselves from those threats. (2) Since these substances are unable to penetrate or deteriorate the biofilm quickly enough in their existing form, the bacteria remain protected. The Lyme spirochete can remain protected within that biofilm for extended periods of time until the threat is no longer present. (3) One of the largest challenges with respect to biofilm formations is the timeline in which the development occurs. By day 21, the formation of the biofilm is recognized to be in its final stage of development, where “the matrix exhibited higher rigidity, with hills, valleys, and cracks observed in the structures.” (1)

“It has been reported that between 65–80% of infectious diseases are linked to bacterial communities whose proliferation is related to biofilms and that they are more resistant to host defense mechanisms and antimicrobials by approximately 10–1000-fold compared to non-biofilm forming cultures.” (8)

Does this mean ALL antibiotics?

“It has been confirmed that monotherapy of Borrelia infection with β-lactam, tetracycline, fluoroquinolone, sulfonamide, macrolide, lipopeptide, glycopeptides, aminoglycoside or antitumor antibiotics are not adequate. Such treatment fails to eliminate spirochetes in in vitro culture and leaves viable and effective persisters in treated vertebrates, including humans. (9) (10) (11)

In another study, it is highlighted that antibiotics are unable to accomplish their intended purpose due to the physical inability to enter deeper tissue in the same way as the Lyme bacteria (spirochete). (12) If you’re unsure what’s meant by ‘deeper tissue’, spirochete have been confirmed to be present in bone, the densest material in the human body. (13)

For those also suffering from Mycoplasma, more and more evidence of antibiotic resistance is becoming available, emphasizing the constant development of gene mutation as a major factor in the growing resistance. As mycoplasma is transmitted and evolved over time, it is clear that there will be the continued development of resistance to antibiotics previously recognized as inhibitors. The resistance of mycoplasmas to tetracyclines is now very common, yet tetracyclines are still widely administered in confirmed Mycoplasm patients. (4) “….strains with acquired resistance to macrolides have recently emerged worldwide and have been spreading in Europe, USA, and Asia especially, with more than 90% of Chinese isolates resistant to erythromycin and azithromycin.”(5)

Antibiotics have been recognized for quite some time to be capable of eliminating bacteria In Vitro, where a biofilm formation is not developed. This knowledge has been present for dozens of years since the discovery of Penicillin in 1928 by Alexander Fleming. Yet, biofilms have been recognized since the 17th century, although referred to as ‘microbial aggregates’. It was not until 1978 that these formations were recognized to adhere to living material and the term “biofilms” was coined. (6) (7)

Why is this important? Antibiotics have had a 50-year head start in building understanding and development. There is significantly more research necessary to understand the full scope of biofilm formations under specific and evolving conditions. However, one thing is clear, antibiotic resistance is becoming an overwhelming concern as we administer them without hesitation, expediting the evolution of antibiotic resistance by all microbials.

MORE RESEARCH