Infections - Dr. Susan L. Marra, MS, ND

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Endotoxins

February 18, 2022February 18, 2022 Susan L. Marra

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Endotoxins Lipopolysaccharides are large molecules composed of sugars and fats which are endotoxins found within a bacterial cell. LPS is secreted as part of the normal physiological activity of membrane vesicle trafficking and protects the membrane from certain chemical attacks. LPS activates the hosts’ immune response by stimulating white blood cells (i.e., … Read More “Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and Endotoxins” »

Protomyxzoa Rheumatica

February 18, 2022February 18, 2022 Susan L. Marra

Environmental Medicine, Infections

In September 2012, Dr. Stephen Fry, Director of Fry Laboratories in Scottsdale, Arizona, presented on Protomyxzoa rheumatica, the most recently identified vector-borne illness which is probably transmitted by a mosquito bite, as well as other biting insects. Dr. Fry noted that Protomyxzoa is an autoimmune vascular pathogenic protozoan that adheres to the endothelium of blood vessels and … Read More “Protomyxzoa Rheumatica” »

Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever

January 20, 2022January 20, 2022 Susan L. Marra

Conditions Caused by Tick-borne Illness, Environmental Medicine, Infections, Lyme Disease

Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a spirochetal infection cause by Borrelia hermseii, Borrelia miyamotoi, and several other less well known bacterial species. Tick-borne relapsing fever is found in Africa, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Asia, Canada, and the western United States. Rodents are the primary reservoir and ticks are the likely vector for this disease. Tick-borne Relapsing … Read More “Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever” »

Spirochetes

January 20, 2022January 20, 2022 Susan L. Marra

Environmental Medicine, Infections, Lyme Disease

Spirochetes are unique bacteria that include Borrelia species. They are likely to be some of the first bacteria inhabiting the earth roughly 4 billion years ago. Spirochetes may have evolved from the sea and adapted to a terrestrial environment to capitalize on warm blooded mammals. There are probably more than 300 species and at least 101 of … Read More “Spirochetes” »

Fungal Infections

January 20, 2022January 20, 2022 Susan L. Marra

Infections

Fungal Infections As Co-infections or Secondary Infections in Lyme Disease Patients Who Are Immunocompromised As of 2018, recent research by Fry Laboratories in Scottsdale, Arizona, suggests that, at least in some patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and arthritis, fungus may be the actual problem. This should come as no surprise because fungi, bacteria, and viruses … Read More “Fungal Infections” »

Clotrimazole for Bartonella

January 10, 2022February 17, 2022 Susan L. Marra

Conditions Caused by Tick-borne Illness, Infections, Treatments

A unique Bartonella or “cat scratch fever” treatment is Clotrimazole. It is an antifungal medication used to treat various fungal infections such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, and other candidiasis infections. It is an imidazole and works by inhibiting fungal cells by altering the permeability of the fungal cell wall. It binds to phospholipids in the cell membrane … Read More “Clotrimazole for Bartonella” »

Ehrlichia and Anaplasma

December 24, 2021January 20, 2022 Susan L. Marra

Infections

Ehrlichia chafeensis (HME), Ehrlichia ewengii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum(HGE), are emerging zoonotic diseases, especially in areas where human urban living encroaches on endemic tick areas. These bacteria are largely found in mammals residing in the southeastern, south-central, and mid-Atlantic areas of the United States, and according to the CDC, most cases are reported in the states of Maryland, Arkansas, Missouri, … Read More “Ehrlichia and Anaplasma” »

Brucellosis

December 21, 2021December 21, 2021 Susan L. Marra

Infections

Brucellosis is a zoonotic and tick-borne disease caused by the bacteria Brucella melitensis, and is an ancient disease, dating back to the 5th plague of Egypt around 1600 BC. Archeological excavation of Egyptian human bones dating around 750 BC demonstrated evidence of osteoarticular abnormalities that are often symptom complications from a Brucellosis infection. Brucella is found all … Read More “Brucellosis” »

Biotoxin Illness

December 14, 2021December 14, 2021 Susan L. Marra

Environmental Medicine, Infections, Mold Exposure

Biotoxin illness is an invisible disease that results from exposure to toxins such as mycotoxins including ochratoxin, aflatoxin, trichothecene, and gliotoxin among others, or toxins from microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and molds. Inflammagens such as endotoxins, mannans, proteinases, and even EMFs initiate a vicious cycle of inflammation called “chronic inflammatory response syndrome” coined … Read More “Biotoxin Illness” »

Dr. Marra’s Philosophy

December 14, 2021January 10, 2022 Susan L. Marra

Conditions Caused by Tick-borne Illness, Environmental Medicine, Hormones, Infections, Lyme Disease, Mold Exposure, Nutrition, Treatments

Dr. Marra’s Philosophy In the last two decades, the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, and other areas of the world, have experienced a rapid emergence of zoonotic diseases at an alarming rate. Multiple factors including global climate change, escalating deer and grey squirrel populations, human urban development encroachment on feral animal habitats, pollution, excessive EMF … Read More “Dr. Marra’s Philosophy” »