Lyme disease is one of the most common vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in the United States, with over 476,000 new cases diagnosed annually. However, recent data suggest that the true number of annual Lyme cases may exceed three million when accounting for underreporting in surveillance data. Lyme disease is often accompanied by other infections, commonly referred to as coinfections because they are contracted at the same time from the same bite. These infections, along with Lyme, can trigger or exacerbate conditions like pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder (PANDAS), both of which cause severe neuropsychiatric symptoms. Understanding the link between these diseases, the role of the immune system, and the impact of gut health is key to diagnosing and treating these complex conditions.
Lyme Disease and VBDs
Lyme disease, caused by multiple species of the Borrelia bacteria, is transmitted primarily through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. However, other vector-borne diseases frequently occur alongside Lyme disease. These coinfections have detrimental effects on the body and complicate the diagnosis and the treatment of Lyme disease.
VBDs can affect almost every organ system in the body, with symptoms ranging from fever, chills, night sweats, headaches, muscle weakness and aches, cardiac and GI symptoms, anxiety, depression, brain fog, and fatigue to more severe neurological manifestations, such as encephalitis and Lyme neuroborreliosis. The key challenge in treating Lyme disease and other VBDs is that the immune system’s ability to fight these infections can become impaired, leading to peristent chronic illness.
PANS/PANDAS
PANS and PANDAS are autoimmune disorders where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own brain tissue, leading to abrupt changes in behavior, personality, and movement. Both conditions are triggered by infections, and Lyme disease and other VBDs, such as Bartonella and Mycoplasma, are increasingly recognized as significant contributors to PANS/PANDAS.
PANS refers to a broad spectrum of infections or factors that can trigger neuropsychiatric symptoms, including an abrupt onset of OCD, anxiety, panic, separation anxiety, extreme fear, restricted eating, deterioration of handwriting, regression in school performance, motor tics, and bedwetting. PANDAS specifically refers to neuropsychiatric symptoms triggered by Streptococcus infections, although there is typically additional underlying immune dysfunction. When an infection like Borrelia or Bartonella enters the body, it can initiate a dysregulated immune response that not only targets the pathogen but also the brain, leading to neuroinflammation. This inflammation is believed to affect areas of the brain involved in behavior and movement, including the basal ganglia, which plays a significant role in motor control and emotional regulation.
VBDs and PANS/PANDAS
The link between Lyme disease, other vector-borne diseases, and PANS/PANDAS lies in immune system dysfunction. Infections like Borrelia (Lyme), Bartonella, Babesia, and Mycoplasma can cause an overactive immune response, leading to chronic inflammation and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The immune system becomes dysregulated, and the body’s response to infections is altered, causing an ongoing cycle of inflammation that can affect both the body and the brain.
In PANS and PANDAS, the immune system produces autoantibodies that target the brain, particularly the basal ganglia, leading to the neuropsychiatric symptoms observed in these conditions. Lyme and PANS/PANDAS share the feature of immune system dysregulation, where the immune system’s response to infection causes more harm than good, affecting both the body and the brain.
Immune System Basics: The Body’s Defense Mechanism
The immune system is made up of two main branches: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. The innate immune system provides the body’s first line of defense, recognizing general patterns of pathogens and responding quickly. It includes physical barriers like the skin and mucous membranes, as well as immune cells like macrophages and neutrophils that engulf and destroy pathogens.
The adaptive immune system is slower to respond but provides a more targeted defense. It involves lymphocytes, including T cells and B cells, which recognize specific pathogens and remember them, providing stronger and faster responses upon re-exposure. Cytokines are crucial for coordinating the immune response by promoting inflammation and immune cell activation. When the immune system becomes dysregulated, it can lead to chronic inflammation. This is seen in both Lyme disease and PANS/PANDAS, where the immune system becomes overactive, causing harm to the body and brain.
Immune System Dysregulation in PANS/PANDAS, Lyme, and VBDs
In PANS and PANDAS, immune system dysfunction is central to the pathogenesis of the disease. Both conditions are characterized by an abrupt onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including OCD, anxiety, mood swings, and cognitive impairment. The immune system produces autoantibodies in response to infections. These antibodies mistakenly target the brain, leading to neuroinflammation.
This autoimmune response leads to the activation of proinflammatory cytokines, which further exacerbate neuroinflammation and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The underlying cause of immune dysregulation in PANS/PANDAS can be triggered by infections like Streptococcus, Borrelia, and other VBDs. By understanding the immune system’s role in these conditions, it’s clear that treating the infection while restoring immune balance is key to recovery.
In Lyme disease and other VBDs, the immune system becomes impaired by the pathogens themselves. These infections can disrupt the immune system’s ability to mount an effective defense, leading to persistent symptoms that affect the body and the brain. Chronic VBDs also involve immune dysregulation, which leads to ongoing inflammation and a cycle of persistent illness.
The Problem: Killing the Infection While Restoring Immunocompetence
The key challenge in treating Lyme disease, VBDs, and PANS/PANDAS is not just eradicating the infection but also restoring immune competence. Traditional antibiotic treatments can help kill the pathogens but may not fully address the underlying immune dysregulation. Additionally, long-term use of antibiotics can contribute to dysbiosis, further disrupting the immune system.
Restoring immune competence requires a multifaceted approach that includes herbal treatments to modulate immune responses, reduce inflammation, and support gut health. Herbal remedies such as Japanese knotweed, cat’s claw, and astragalus have shown promise in supporting the immune system and promoting healing in individuals with Lyme disease and PANS/PANDAS. These herbs help
regulate cytokine production, reduce inflammation, and support overall immune function.
Resolving Infections with Herbals
Herbal medicine plays a crucial role in resolving multiple infections simultaneously. Plants like Cryptolepis, Houttuynia cordata, and Sida acuta are known for their antimicrobial properties and can help target pathogens. These herbs also support immune modulation, helping to restore balance to the immune system while addressing chronic infections. By combining herbal treatments with dietary and lifestyle changes, individuals with Lyme disease, VBDs, and PANS/PANDAS can support their body’s natural healing process, reduce inflammation, and restore immune function.
Understanding the role of the immune system, the gut, and herbal medicine is crucial for successfully treating Lyme disease, VBDs, and PANS/PANDAS. By addressing infections, reducing inflammation, and restoring immune competence, individuals can regain their health and alleviate the long-term effects of these complex diseases.
In addition to naturally treating patients with complex medical conditions at TAO in Connecticut, Dr. Myriah Hinchey created LymeCore Botanicals™ to provide quality, clean, and effective herbal formulas for Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections and is highly active in sourcing, testing, and making the herbal formulas she uses to treat her patients. Dr. Hinchey also founded LymeBytes™, a multimedia company dedicated to educating patients and other practitioners on the truth about Lyme disease and tick-borne disease and focuses on bringing patients, practitioners, and resources together for healing Lyme disease.