individual antibiotic sensitivity testing

May 27, 2000

In the article below, Dr. Mattman suggests that spirochetes can be cultured

and then, cultures can be used to test each individual's sensitivity to

specific antibiotics

for best overall treatment. Does anyone know if this is being done anywhere?

article below goes into research and rationale.

Researcher Reveals Possible Lyme & Multiple Sclerosis Connection

by Kim Weber

From the Tick Talk - May/June 1997

Known for her work in pathology and her extensive research in cell wall

deficient bacteria, Lida H. Mattman, Ph.D., is rocking the medical community

with her discoveries in Lyme disease and Multiple Sclerosis. On May 6th in

Saginaw, Michigan, Mattman spoke to Lyme patients and medical professionals

who were captivated by her slides and research findings on spirochetes.

Behind her self-deprecating humor is a dedicated researcher and pioneer in

her field. Mattman, Professor Emeritus, Dept.of Biology at Wayne State

University (Detroit, MI) is also a mother motivated by a daughter who was

diagnosed with LD a few years ago. Since then, Mattman has focused her

attention on how to find a more reliable and reproducible way of finding the

infection - in culturing the spirochete from blood samples. In the last

year, she has found such a method; and in the process, has also identified

another spirochete that could be the causative agent in Multiple Sclerosis.

When asked at the meeting if MS is a spirochetal disease like LD, Mattman

replied with an unequivocal " yes " . She went on to show slides of the various

diseases caused by different spirochetes - including MS. Each disease was

characterized by a variety of disfiguring and debilitating symptoms - all of

which, Mattman pointed out, were treatable with appropriate antibiotics.

Dr. Mattman's new method of culturing the spirochete was featured at this

year's 10th Annual International Conference at the NIH in Bethesda, MD.

Viewed as one of the most important discoveries presented at the Poster

Session, Mattman's technique may be a new Gold Standard for determining

spirochetal infections and persistent disease. Although her findings are

compelling, Mattman feels she is up against skepticism in the medical

community. Mattman feels this harkens back to other big breakthroughs,

such as developing the vaccine for Whooping Cough and discovering the H.

Pylori bacteria in ulcers. Because these discoveries challenged previous

medical doctrine, the doctors were originally shunned for breaking away

from " accepted facts " . Mattman is confident that it is only a matter of time

before her research will be given credibility.

In explaining why current testing for Lyme disease is unreliable, Mattman

referred to the blood test using immuno-fluorescence assay (IFA). Here, she

explains, the lab is looking for the antibody. It won't always be detected,

because the spirochete can " masquerade " in other forms that delude the

immune response. Mattman explained that the spirochete, like other

bacteria, is not always in its classic form - there is much diversity in

its appearance. This " diversity " in appearance is what is known as the " L

Form " of the bacteria (named after this research at Lister Institute). In

learning to recognize the " L Form " bacteria, Mattman has been able to

culture spirochetes abundantly and profusely. For now, Dr. Mattman hopes the

doctors will use a more reliable test other than IFA. She suggests using

the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. This test picks up on the actual

DNA of the spirochete. Mattman's lab has also worked for the University of

Michigan, where she came face to face with L-forms of Meningitis and

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). She emphasized that these also can be easily

missed in the lab, because they are not always in the classic form with a

" suit and bow tie " .

Pointing to the screen, Mattman announced that we were the first audience to

see a remarkable photo of Multiple Sclerosis spinal fluid mixed with red

blood cells The red blood cells on the screen were filled with many

spirochetes that were also seen emerging from the red blood cells. " We

used to think that the red blood cells mainly transported gases through the

body - now we know better, " said Mattman. The spirochetes weren't only in

the red blood cells, they PREFER the red blood cells. With this observation,

Mattman feels that persistent infection could be attributed to the fact that

antibiotics do not easily penetrate the red blood cell to target the

spirochete.

Now that Dr. Mattman has been able to culture the spirochete, she is

focusing on specific treatment. In recognizing that the spirochete can

have numerous strains, she hopes to use cultured spirochetes for antibiotic

sensitivity testing. This is already widely used for other bacterial

infections. With this procedure, Mattman could find which antibiotic would

work best for the individual patient. From a clinical perspective, this

knowledge would give the treating physician an important edge in prescribing

an appropriate antibiotic.

Mattman concluded that Lyme disease is as endemic here as Malaria is in the

Tropics. She is convinced that, with the introduction of more reliable

testing for LD, the figures will more accurately reflect the prevalence

May 28, 2000

This test is currently being done as " research " by Dr. Mattmen in Michigan and

Dr.

Bowen in Florida. The way it is done is blood is sent to both doctors (same

draw) and

tested by both independently of each other and the results are sent to the

doctor. If

both turn up positive (a cross checking) obviously you are positive. If only

one is

positive, it is advised to be retested to be sure. I had the test done through

my

llmd. Kindof scarey to see the critters in a full color picture from your

blood.

Rhonna

Pam Weintraub wrote:

> In the article below, Dr. Mattman suggests that spirochetes can be cultured

> and then, cultures can be used to test each individual's sensitivity to

> specific antibiotics

> for best overall treatment. Does anyone know if this is being done anywhere?

>

> article below goes into research and rationale.

>

> Researcher Reveals Possible Lyme & Multiple Sclerosis Connection

> by Kim Weber

> >From the Tick Talk - May/June 1997

> Known for her work in pathology and her extensive research in cell wall

> deficient bacteria, Lida H. Mattman, Ph.D., is rocking the medical community

> with her discoveries in Lyme disease and Multiple Sclerosis. On May 6th in

> Saginaw, Michigan, Mattman spoke to Lyme patients and medical professionals

> who were captivated by her slides and research findings on spirochetes.

> Behind her self-deprecating humor is a dedicated researcher and pioneer in

> her field. Mattman, Professor Emeritus, Dept.of Biology at Wayne State

> University (Detroit, MI) is also a mother motivated by a daughter who was

> diagnosed with LD a few years ago. Since then, Mattman has focused her

> attention on how to find a more reliable and reproducible way of finding the

> infection - in culturing the spirochete from blood samples. In the last

> year, she has found such a method; and in the process, has also identified

> another spirochete that could be the causative agent in Multiple Sclerosis.

> When asked at the meeting if MS is a spirochetal disease like LD, Mattman

> replied with an unequivocal " yes " . She went on to show slides of the various

> diseases caused by different spirochetes - including MS. Each disease was

> characterized by a variety of disfiguring and debilitating symptoms - all of

> which, Mattman pointed out, were treatable with appropriate antibiotics.

> Dr. Mattman's new method of culturing the spirochete was featured at this

> year's 10th Annual International Conference at the NIH in Bethesda, MD.

> Viewed as one of the most important discoveries presented at the Poster

> Session, Mattman's technique may be a new Gold Standard for determining

> spirochetal infections and persistent disease. Although her findings are

> compelling, Mattman feels she is up against skepticism in the medical

> community. Mattman feels this harkens back to other big breakthroughs,

> such as developing the vaccine for Whooping Cough and discovering the H.

> Pylori bacteria in ulcers. Because these discoveries challenged previous

> medical doctrine, the doctors were originally shunned for breaking away

> from " accepted facts " . Mattman is confident that it is only a matter of time

> before her research will be given credibility.

> In explaining why current testing for Lyme disease is unreliable, Mattman

> referred to the blood test using immuno-fluorescence assay (IFA). Here, she

> explains, the lab is looking for the antibody. It won't always be detected,

> because the spirochete can " masquerade " in other forms that delude the

> immune response. Mattman explained that the spirochete, like other

> bacteria, is not always in its classic form - there is much diversity in

> its appearance. This " diversity " in appearance is what is known as the " L

> Form " of the bacteria (named after this research at Lister Institute). In

> learning to recognize the " L Form " bacteria, Mattman has been able to

> culture spirochetes abundantly and profusely. For now, Dr. Mattman hopes the

> doctors will use a more reliable test other than IFA. She suggests using

> the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. This test picks up on the actual

> DNA of the spirochete. Mattman's lab has also worked for the University of

> Michigan, where she came face to face with L-forms of Meningitis and

> Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). She emphasized that these also can be easily

> missed in the lab, because they are not always in the classic form with a

> " suit and bow tie " .

> Pointing to the screen, Mattman announced that we were the first audience to

> see a remarkable photo of Multiple Sclerosis spinal fluid mixed with red

> blood cells The red blood cells on the screen were filled with many

> spirochetes that were also seen emerging from the red blood cells. " We

> used to think that the red blood cells mainly transported gases through the

> body - now we know better, " said Mattman. The spirochetes weren't only in

> the red blood cells, they PREFER the red blood cells. With this observation,

> Mattman feels that persistent infection could be attributed to the fact that

> antibiotics do not easily penetrate the red blood cell to target the

> spirochete.

> Now that Dr. Mattman has been able to culture the spirochete, she is

> focusing on specific treatment. In recognizing that the spirochete can

> have numerous strains, she hopes to use cultured spirochetes for antibiotic

> sensitivity testing. This is already widely used for other bacterial

> infections. With this procedure, Mattman could find which antibiotic would

> work best for the individual patient. From a clinical perspective, this

> knowledge would give the treating physician an important edge in prescribing

> an appropriate antibiotic.

> Mattman concluded that Lyme disease is as endemic here as Malaria is in the

> Tropics. She is convinced that, with the introduction of more reliable

> testing for LD, the figures will more accurately reflect the prevalence

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Failed tests, classes skipped, forgotten locker combinations.

> Remember the good 'ol days

> 1/4053/8/_/484634/_/959442560/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> is dedicated to Marta McCoy, the foundation behind what is

today.

>

> Easy Reference:

> Send a blank email message to:

>

> -Subscribeegroups - Subscribe to the list through email

> -Unsubscribeegroups - Unsubscribe from the list

> -Digestegroups - Switch your subscription to a digest format

> -Normalegroups - Switch your subscription to normal

>

> Please send messages not related to Lyme disease to

-Offtopicegroups

>

> Archives can be accessed at lyme-aid

>

> Please visit the chat room at chat/lyme-aid

May 28, 2000

The Mattman/Bowen test does not test for antibiotic sensitivity. However the

now

defunct Gensys did. I had the test done through them about a year and a half

ago

(before they went under, obviously). The sensitivity showed that the strain

that I

have was most sensitive to Doxycycline. My llmd changed my IV to Doxycycline

and that

is when I had my greatest turn around after several months of horrible herx. I

am

still currently on the IV Doxycycline and still making improvements on a monthly

basis. I hope Dr. Wechter (Gensys) publishes his procedure or patents it so it

can be

used on Lyme patients. It was the turning point in my becoming functional

again!

Rhonna

Pam Weintraub wrote:

> so, did they find an antibiotic that worked better as a result of the test,

> in your case?

>

> At 12:33 AM 5/28/00 -0400, you wrote:

> >This test is currently being done as " research " by Dr. Mattmen in Michigan

> and Dr.

> >Bowen in Florida. The way it is done is blood is sent to both doctors

> (same draw) and

> >tested by both independently of each other and the results are sent to the

> doctor. If

> >both turn up positive (a cross checking) obviously you are positive. If

> only one is

> >positive, it is advised to be retested to be sure. I had the test done

> through my

> >llmd. Kindof scarey to see the critters in a full color picture from your

> blood.

> >Rhonna

> >

> >Pam Weintraub wrote:

> >

> >> In the article below, Dr. Mattman suggests that spirochetes can be cultured

> >> and then, cultures can be used to test each individual's sensitivity to

> >> specific antibiotics

> >> for best overall treatment. Does anyone know if this is being done

> anywhere?

> >>

> >> article below goes into research and rationale.

> >>

> >> Researcher Reveals Possible Lyme & Multiple Sclerosis Connection

> >> by Kim Weber

> >> >From the Tick Talk - May/June 1997

> >> Known for her work in pathology and her extensive research in cell wall

> >> deficient bacteria, Lida H. Mattman, Ph.D., is rocking the medical

> community

> >> with her discoveries in Lyme disease and Multiple Sclerosis. On May 6th in

> >> Saginaw, Michigan, Mattman spoke to Lyme patients and medical professionals

> >> who were captivated by her slides and research findings on spirochetes.

> >> Behind her self-deprecating humor is a dedicated researcher and pioneer in

> >> her field. Mattman, Professor Emeritus, Dept.of Biology at Wayne State

> >> University (Detroit, MI) is also a mother motivated by a daughter who was

> >> diagnosed with LD a few years ago. Since then, Mattman has focused her

> >> attention on how to find a more reliable and reproducible way of finding

> the

> >> infection - in culturing the spirochete from blood samples. In the last

> >> year, she has found such a method; and in the process, has also identified

> >> another spirochete that could be the causative agent in Multiple Sclerosis.

> >> When asked at the meeting if MS is a spirochetal disease like LD, Mattman

> >> replied with an unequivocal " yes " . She went on to show slides of the

> various

> >> diseases caused by different spirochetes - including MS. Each disease was

> >> characterized by a variety of disfiguring and debilitating symptoms -

> all of

> >> which, Mattman pointed out, were treatable with appropriate antibiotics.

> >> Dr. Mattman's new method of culturing the spirochete was featured at this

> >> year's 10th Annual International Conference at the NIH in Bethesda, MD.

> >> Viewed as one of the most important discoveries presented at the Poster

> >> Session, Mattman's technique may be a new Gold Standard for determining

> >> spirochetal infections and persistent disease. Although her findings are

> >> compelling, Mattman feels she is up against skepticism in the medical

> >> community. Mattman feels this harkens back to other big breakthroughs,

> >> such as developing the vaccine for Whooping Cough and discovering the H.

> >> Pylori bacteria in ulcers. Because these discoveries challenged previous

> >> medical doctrine, the doctors were originally shunned for breaking away

> >> from " accepted facts " . Mattman is confident that it is only a matter of

> time

> >> before her research will be given credibility.

> >> In explaining why current testing for Lyme disease is unreliable, Mattman

> >> referred to the blood test using immuno-fluorescence assay (IFA). Here, she

> >> explains, the lab is looking for the antibody. It won't always be detected,

> >> because the spirochete can " masquerade " in other forms that delude the

> >> immune response. Mattman explained that the spirochete, like other

> >> bacteria, is not always in its classic form - there is much diversity in

> >> its appearance. This " diversity " in appearance is what is known as the " L

> >> Form " of the bacteria (named after this research at Lister Institute). In

> >> learning to recognize the " L Form " bacteria, Mattman has been able to

> >> culture spirochetes abundantly and profusely. For now, Dr. Mattman hopes

> the

> >> doctors will use a more reliable test other than IFA. She suggests using

> >> the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. This test picks up on the actual

> >> DNA of the spirochete. Mattman's lab has also worked for the University of

> >> Michigan, where she came face to face with L-forms of Meningitis and

> >> Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). She emphasized that these also can be easily

> >> missed in the lab, because they are not always in the classic form with a

> >> " suit and bow tie " .

> >> Pointing to the screen, Mattman announced that we were the first

> audience to

> >> see a remarkable photo of Multiple Sclerosis spinal fluid mixed with red

> >> blood cells The red blood cells on the screen were filled with many

> >> spirochetes that were also seen emerging from the red blood cells. " We

> >> used to think that the red blood cells mainly transported gases through

> the

> >> body - now we know better, " said Mattman. The spirochetes weren't only in

> >> the red blood cells, they PREFER the red blood cells. With this

> observation,

> >> Mattman feels that persistent infection could be attributed to the fact

> that

> >> antibiotics do not easily penetrate the red blood cell to target the

> >> spirochete.

> >> Now that Dr. Mattman has been able to culture the spirochete, she is

> >> focusing on specific treatment. In recognizing that the spirochete can

> >> have numerous strains, she hopes to use cultured spirochetes for antibiotic

> >> sensitivity testing. This is already widely used for other bacterial

> >> infections. With this procedure, Mattman could find which antibiotic would

> >> work best for the individual patient. From a clinical perspective, this

> >> knowledge would give the treating physician an important edge in

> prescribing

> >> an appropriate antibiotic.

> >> Mattman concluded that Lyme disease is as endemic here as Malaria is in the

> >> Tropics. She is convinced that, with the introduction of more reliable

> >> testing for LD, the figures will more accurately reflect the prevalence

> >>

> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >> Failed tests, classes skipped, forgotten locker combinations.

> >> Remember the good 'ol days

> >> 1/4053/8/_/484634/_/959442560/

> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >>

> >> is dedicated to Marta McCoy, the foundation behind what

> is today.

> >>

> >> Easy Reference:

> >> Send a blank email message to:

> >>

> >> -Subscribeegroups - Subscribe to the list through email

> >> -Unsubscribeegroups - Unsubscribe from the list

> >> -Digestegroups - Switch your subscription to a digest format

> >> -Normalegroups - Switch your subscription to normal

> >>

> >> Please send messages not related to Lyme disease to

> -Offtopicegroups

> >>

> >> Archives can be accessed at lyme-aid

> >>

> >> Please visit the chat room at chat/lyme-aid

> >

> >------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >Missing old school friends? Find them here:

> >1/4055/8/_/484634/_/959488141/

> >------------------------------------------------------------------------

> >

> > is dedicated to Marta McCoy, the foundation behind what

> is today.

> >

> >Easy Reference:

> >Send a blank email message to:

> >

> > -Subscribeegroups - Subscribe to the list through email

> > -Unsubscribeegroups - Unsubscribe from the list

> > -Digestegroups - Switch your subscription to a digest format

> > -Normalegroups - Switch your subscription to normal

> >

> >Please send messages not related to Lyme disease to

> -Offtopicegroups

> >

> >Archives can be accessed at lyme-aid

> >

> >Please visit the chat room at chat/lyme-aid

> >

>

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Was the salesman clueless? Productopia has the answers.

> 1/4633/8/_/484634/_/959497325/

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------

>

> is dedicated to Marta McCoy, the foundation behind what is

today.

>

> Easy Reference:

> Send a blank email message to:

>

> -Subscribeegroups - Subscribe to the list through email

> -Unsubscribeegroups - Unsubscribe from the list

> -Digestegroups - Switch your subscription to a digest format

> -Normalegroups - Switch your subscription to normal

>

> Please send messages not related to Lyme disease to

-Offtopicegroups

>

> Archives can be accessed at lyme-aid

>

> Please visit the chat room at chat/lyme-aid

May 28, 2000

Not from this set of tests. The set of tests that I took with Gensys showed the

antibiotic sensitivity. And that is when I started to really show improvement,

when I

followed the recommendation of the sensitivity test.