RECOVERY OF LYME SPIROCHETES BY PCR IN SEMEN SAMPLES OF PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED LYME DISEASE PATIENTS

Dr. Gregory Bach, Do.O.,P.C.
OBJECTIVE

Lyme disease, being a spirochete with pathology similar to syphilis, is often found difficult to treat due to the spirochete invading sanctuary sites and displaying pleomorphic characteristics such as a cyst (L-form). Because a significant portion of sexually active couples present to my office with Lyme disease, with only one partner having a history of tick exposure, the question of possible secondary (sexual)vector of transmission for the spirochete warrents inquiriy. Additionally, sexually active couples seem to have a marked propensity for antibiotic failure raising the question of sexually active couples re-infecting themselves through intimate contact.

METHODS:
Lyme spirochetes/DNA have been recovered from stored animal semen. Recovery of spirochete DNA from nursing mother's breast milk and unbilical cord blood by PCR (confirmed by culture/microscopy), have been found in samples provided to my office.

RESULTS:

Suprisingly, initial laboratory testing of semen samples provided by male Lyme patients (positive by western blot/PCR in blood) and the male sexual partner of a Lyme infected female patient were positive approximately 40% of the time. PCR recovery of Lyme DNA nucleotide sequences with microscopic confirmation of semen samples yielded positive results in 14/32 Lyme patients (13 male semen samples and 1 vaginal pap). ALL positive semen/vaginal samples in patients with known sexual partners resulted in positive Lyme titers/PCR in their sexual partners. 3/4 positive semen patients had no or unknown sexual partners to be tested. These preliminary findings warrent futher study. Current a statistical design study to evaluate the possibility of sexual transition of the spirochete is being undertaken. Our laboratory studies confirm the existence of Lyme spirochetes in semen/vaginal secretions. Whether or not further clinical studies with a larger statistical group will support the hypothesis of sexual transmission remains to be seen. A retrospective clinical study is also underway. We are reviewing the medical records, collecting semen samples of patients who were previously diagnosed with current and previously treated Lyme disease are bing asked to provide semen,pap and blood samples for extensive laboratory testing.

CONCLUSION;

I am wondering now. . . how soon does a mate get Lyme disease after it is passed. It is probably not as rapid in the partner as it was with the originally infected person. Just a thought.

We need more studies on this with more detail.

PaintedRabbit

Well, sorry but I'm not giving up the bedroom thing. Especially the kissing. Forget it... I'm not letting all the fun go out just because of this disease-Nope ain't gonna do it.

Their website not only acknowledgede Lyme as a serious health problem, it also admits other insects such as fleas may be spreading it.
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/zoonosis/diseases/Lyme/lymepamp.asp

But they tend to live long in his family and my family tend to go early with heart disease and cancer and there is rheumatic illness as well. So maybe my son and I were doomed from the begginning from genetics alone.

On the other hand, if it does prove to be transmissible by sex, maybe we will get some GD*(&(*)&%^%$$$$&^^(*&)(_!! effing treatment by infectious disease dox.

and for you people who think that you won't hook up, well look at all the gay men who have HIV and AIDS and are with someone.
Semen does NOT a relationship make.

Not a big leap for me.