Lyme and Autism

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria of the Borrelia type which is spread by ticks. After being bitten by a tick or infectious agent, approximately 25–50% of infected people do not develop a rash. Ticks can transmit other infections that are called tick-borne infections when grouped together. Tick-borne infections are increasing around the world.  Lyme disease is the most prevalent vector borne infection in the U.S. and Europe and is reaching epidemic levels.

Borrelia is a spirochete. Another well-known spirochetes is syphilis. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterium that is difficult to treat as it penetrates deeply into tissue, and can impact the neurological systems. There is research to show that Lyme can also be sexually transmitted.

Chronic Lyme disease is the most common form of Lyme and develops into a multi-symptom disorder typical.

The causes of autism spectrum disorder are multiple and hard to define. Bacterial infections when persistent are associated with molecular mimicry which can increase encephalopathy causing neurological disruptions. Several studies have shown the presence of Lyme disease children on the Autism Spectrum.

References:

Kuhn M, and Robert Bransfield. Divergent Opinions of Proper Lyme Disease Diagnosis and Implications For Children Co-Morbid with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Article react-text: 62   /react-text in react-text: 64   /react-text Medical Hypotheses 83(3) react-text: 67  ·  /react-text react-text: 68 September 2014

Kuhn M, BransField R, Graves S, Harris S. Long term antibiotic therapy may be an effective treatment for children co-morbid with Lyme disease and autism spectrum disorder. Med Hypothesis 2012;78(5):606–15.

Kuhn Mason. Divergent Opinions of Proper Lyme Disease Diagnosis and Implications For Children Co-Morbid with Autism Spectrum Disorder Article react-text: 62   /react-text in react-text: 64   /react-text Medical Hypotheses 83(3) react-text: 67  ·  /react-text react-text: 68 September 2014 /react-text DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2014.06.005

Nicolson L.G. Systemic Intracellular Bacterial Infections (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Borrelia species) in Neurodegenerative (MS, ALS, Alzheimer’s) and Behavioral (Autistic Spectrum Disorders) Diseases. Townsend Letter 2008 April Issue, vol.

295: 74-84.