Mycoplasma, the Most Common Lyme Coinfection

September 22, 2023

Mycoplasma is the stealthiest of all stealth microbes. It may be a major player in many chronic diseases associated with aging, but remarkably, most people, including most doctors, have limited awareness of it. If you have Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, autoimmune disease, or possibly any other chronic illness, however...it is a microbe you should know about. Mycoplasma is the smallest of all bacteria. 4,000 of them can fit inside one red blood cell in your body (only 10-15 of average sized bacteria would fit). It is a parasite—it cannot live without a host. Unlike other bacteria, mycoplasmas do not have a protective cell wall. This interesting strategy of survival allows them to change their shape and fit into areas where other bacteria cannot go. It also allows them to slip inside cells of the host. Not having a cell wall makes mycoplasma completely resistant to many types of antibiotics. There are over 200 known types of mycoplasma (and probably many yet to be discovered) that can infect both animals and plants. It is highly adaptable and can jump species and adapt to new hosts very readily. There are at least 23 different varieties of mycoplasma that can infect humans (and counting). A few of them are considered harmless normal flora, but most have the potential to cause disease. Mycoplasma are spread by biting insects (ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, biting flies), sexual contact, contaminated food, and airborne droplets. Most everyone has been exposed to some form of mycoplasma. Mycoplasma (several species) have been closely linked to many chronic degenerative diseases. Mycoplasma is a master of manipulating and outmaneuvering the host’s immune system. Half of its genetic makeup is devoted to that exclusive purpose. It has little ability to cause direct harm to the host, but it can use the host’s immune function to its own advantage. Everything that the bacteria needs for survival (vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids) must be scavenged from the host; it makes nothing itself. To gain access to needed resources, mycoplasma generate inflammation in the body by manipulating the signaling mechanisms of the immune system (called cytokines). Inflammation breaks down tissues and allows the bacteria to gain access to the host’s resources. Mitochondria are prime targets for energy; fatigue is always a factor in mycoplasma infections. Mycoplasma favor infecting the cells of tissues that line different areas of the body. Common sites of infection include nasal passages, sinuses, lungs, the lining of the intestinal tract, the genital tract, vesicles inside the brain, and the synovial lining of joints. They also commonly infect white blood cells, red blood cells, and brain tissue. Different mycoplasma have a preference for certain tissues, but all mycoplasma species possess the ability to infect any type of tissue and all organ systems. The most common mycoplasma, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, has preference for lung tissue. Initial infection with M. pneumoniae typically causes pharyngitis (sore throat), cough, fever, headache, malaise, rhinitis (runny nose); all the common symptoms of a basic upper respiratory infection. If the person’s immune system is not full strength, it can progress to bronchitis and even pneumonia (about 20% of pneumonias). The type of pneumonia caused by mycoplasma (often called “walking pneumonia”) is rarely severe enough to result in hospitalization, though it can drag on for weeks or even months. Clearing of respiratory symptoms, however, may not be the end of the story. After mycoplasma enters the body through a prefered infection site, it also infects white blood cells. Once inside a white blood cell, it can be carried to all parts of the body and infect other tissues and organs. The lungs are certainly not the only way for mycoplasma to enter the body. Some species of mycoplasma have a preference for causing genital infections. Others can be spread by ticks and several species of mycoplasma are commonly found in the intestines. Initial infection sites are not absolutely species-specific, however. Mycoplasma pneumoniae has been known to cause genital infections and other mycoplasma that typically infect the genitals have been found in the stomach. No matter where the initial infection occurs, any species of mycoplasma has the potential to spread throughout the body.

The potential for widespread infection, however, is very much influenced by the status of immune function. If immune function is optimal, the microbe is contained after the initial infection and no long term harm occurs. Studies from different areas of the world suggest that 30-70% of people carry at least one species of mycoplasma without having symptoms. It essentially becomes like a normal flora (non-threatening microbes found on the skin, in the gut, and in body cavities). Most mycoplasma species are not normal flora, however. They are just waiting for an opportunity. If immune function slips for whatever reason, chronic systemic infection becomes possible. Infection can occur in any tissue or organ of the body where mycoplasma can scavenge vital nutrients. Mycoplasma are very efficient scavengers; any mycoplasma species can infect any organ system in the body. This causes a wide range of symptoms that are completely unrelated to the initial infection. The general breakdown of tissues by stealth microbes accelerates the aging process and is likely a primary factor in many, if not most, chronic degenerative diseases. Stealth microbes are a stronger force together than when alone. In other words, mycoplasma may not be a problem unless another stealth microbe (or microbes) is present. Lyme disease may be a good example of this phenomenon. Mycoplasma is a common Lyme coinfection (75% or more of Lyme disease cases). Mycoplasma is known to be carried and spread by ticks, but it is also possible that mycoplasma is already present in the body when a tick bite carrying borrelia occurs. Immune compromise caused by the new tick-borne infection (and possible other coinfections) allows mycoplasma to flourish and cause symptoms. Most symptoms that occur in Lyme disease can be caused by mycoplasma. Beyond Lyme disease, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue patients often test positive for at least one species of mycoplasma (along with other stealth microbes). A high percentage of Gulf War Syndrome sufferers test positive for different varieties of mycoplasma (along with other stealth microbes). If you draw circles around the symptoms of Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, and fibromyalgia, those circles deeply overlap. Symptoms that can be caused by mycoplasma sit right in the middle of those overlapping circles.

Diagnosing It

The biggest problem with diagnosing mycoplasma is that we still don’t have a good handle on it. PCR is the best way to test for mycoplasma, but testing is species specific and focused on diagnosing acute respiratory or genital mycoplasma infections. Another problem with diagnosing mycoplasma is that medical science does not recognize chronic mycoplasma infections as being significant. Even though mycoplasma is commonly found in association with chronic degenerative diseases, it is also found in ⅓ - ⅔ of any population without causing symptoms. In other words, it is assumed that mycoplasma just happens to be there, but isn’t really a factor in disease. This type of thinking is simply a reflection of not understanding how stealth microbes operate. Mycoplasma does not cause disease unless it has an opportunity. Individuals with a healthy immune system can harbor mycoplasma and suffer few ill effects. If immune function is disrupted by environmental factors or coinfection with other stealth microbes, however, mycoplasma can definitely contribute to chronic disease. When testing for mycoplasma, it is best to order a complete mycoplasma panel, which will include M. fermentans, M. genitalium, M. hominis, M. penetrans, M. pneumoniae, M. synoviae, and Ureaplasma urealyticum. But...these are only the common known species of mycoplasma; other lesser known species could also be present. Another problem with testing is that there are other stealth microbes that can be associated with chronic infections with similar symptoms. The list of knowns includes Yersinia enterocolitica, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Campylobacter jejuni, and the Lyme coinfections including babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia, and anaplasma (multiple species of each). Complete testing for the full range of stealth microbes can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Possibly the best course of action is assuming mycoplasma and other stealth microbes are there. Stealth microbes only cause problems when immune function is suppressed. Addressing the causes of the underlying Chronic Immune Dysfunction is the most effective solution for overcoming infections with stealth microbes.

Overcoming Chronic Mycoplasma Infection

The nature of mycoplasma makes it very resistant to conventional therapies. Mycoplasma does not have a cell wall, rendering several classes of antibiotics as completely ineffective. Other classes of antibiotics provide limited benefit in acute infections, but little benefit for chronic systemic infections. The best alternative is supporting the natural healing potential of the body. Artificially created food products, petrochemicals and other toxics, artificial sources of radiation, and the stress of modern life disrupt immune function and allow stealth microbes like mycoplasma to flourish. Minimizing these factors is an essential step for controlling the present epidemic of chronic diseases like Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, fatigue syndromes, and autoimmune diseases. Adequate nutritional support is very important for chronic mycoplasma infection. Replacing the nutrients that mycoplasma scavenge is essential for recovery. Sometimes this is challenging because of damage to the gut. Food sensitivities, including lectin sensitivities must be addressed. The recovery diet must be rich in healthful fats, protein, and low in carbohydrate. Natural anti-inflammatory substances, such as ginger, that suppress mycoplasma and heal the gut are important. Natural herbal therapy is the best therapeutic alternative for chronic mycoplasma. Herbs (especially medicinal mushrooms) suppress cytokine cascades, reduce inflammation, restore normal immune function, and suppress a wide range of stealth microbes.

Learn more about Dr. Rawls' herbal protocol here >>

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