Recurring Infections! Why Do You Keep Getting Them?

Biofilm is very much at the centre of over 85% of recurring infections (UTIs, sinusitis, rhinitis, colitis, vaginitis, tonsilitis, bronchitis, periodontitis, prostatitis, etc.).  Consider this analogy.   In a drinkable water stream where microbes are low, you will find slime on the rocks.  Sampling of this slime shows massive bacterial colonization.   How can you have water running through an area of massive amounts of bacteria and yet barely any are found in the water?

2 phases in a cycle of bacterial overgrowth

• Plankton phase - floating along but not in massive amount (acute infection, very dangerous, cause tissue damage and can lead to death).  This style infection is more of a destructive nature trying to kill the host. 

• Biofilm phase – robust amount and forming colonies (recurring chronic infections -biofilm base and cause ongoing symptoms).  This style is more of a parasitic nature, trying to live off the host.

Each strain of bacteria puts out a signature chemical.   When they put out signals, they listen for the same signal to see how many of “their own” are around.  If there are a lot of the same type of bacteria, they will hear a strong signal and now they know a lot of their buddies are around.    The signal is a member of the class of N-Acylated Homoserine Lactones (AHLs).   When the bacteria sense a lot of its own around, they will change from the plankton phase to the biofilm phase and create a biofilm colony by secreting a sticky slime….the sensing of colony is called “quorum sensing”, and the substances the bacteria put out is called quormones.   When the quormones signaling is strong enough, they have found a place where to accumulate and create a biofilm – a dome to protect the colony – to prevent them from being killed and they can replicate freely.

The biofilm can eat whatever you are taking to kill them (antibiotics or natural agents) and then the biofilm gets kilt – stronger in a sense.   The problem is the bacteria at the center of the biofilm in a dormant form, called “persister cells”, will not get destroyed and will not eat the antibiotic that gets trapped in the biofilm.   They have no interface with the outside and they cannot eat, therefore they go dormant.   After antibiotics are done and the bacteria concentration go down, the dead bodies in the biofilm will become food for the bacterial colony underneath to feed and grow to a stronger colony.  So, right after the round of antibiotics, the reduced colony quiets down the symptoms but overtime, (sometimes it can be a couple of months, or weeks, but sometimes it can be 1-2 days), it restarts due to the growth of the colony and the failure to kill “persister cells”.  You then find yourself back to the mode you were in before the round of antibiotics.  Same symptoms, and the cycle continue.  When the colony is new, one round of antibiotics may do the trick and all is well but with recurring infections, we are dealing with the biofilm issue.

Example:  A patient comes in with a persistent, chronic Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).   Cipro always help her UTI.  This tells you it’s a biofilm base infection because it kills most of the colony except the persister cells, the ones at the center of the colony.  It’s more likely that the same biofilm colony has regrown instead of having a new infection.  The new version is then again vulnerable to Cipro.  This is antibiotic tolerance and not antibiotic resistance.   This deficiency is shared by all antibiotics and is due to “persister cell” tolerance unable to be killed.  Bacteria have pumps on its surface that can expel out any drugs given to kill them.

There’s a difference between antibiotic resistance and biofilm issues.  The infection isn’t solved by using different antibiotics when it’s a biofilm issue.  Even a susceptible bacteria won’t be killed when there’s a biofilm component.  An important question to ask is “do you feel better when you take antibiotics” even for a few days?  If the answer is “yes”, you are more than likely dealing with a biofilm infection issue.

Bacteria in biofilm cannot be cultured as they don’t show up, just like the “water stream” explanation.  The water is being tested instead of the slime (above analogy).    

What is the solution?

• Antibiotics or natural agents

• Add a biofilm disruptor for the corresponding type of infection –given at the same time

• Repopulate with the corresponding “*Human Strain” probiotic to rebalance the equilibrium of the bio-flora.  But this cannot be done too soon to avoid the immune system reacting to the probiotic.

• The above steps can take time, especially if multiple rounds of antibiotics were taken and now other symptoms are present, and the cycle needs to be broken.

*Most probiotics on the market are either dairy or plant base and do not form a colony.  You may feel better while taking them, but they do not form a lasting colony where you can eventually stop them and be supported.  A “quality and human strain” probiotic is necessary for long term results.

If you know someone who is struggling with recurring infections, whether it’s a twice-yearly bronchitis, UTIs, prostatitis, sinusitis, or monthly recurrence, there is a correct way forward to address these opportunistic infections.    

Please share!