Are there sex differences in the human immune system? Yes, there are. Women have stronger immune systems than men. But, similar to a coin this presents two sides. Women are less likely to catch infections and develop cancer, and if they do the infection tends to be less severe than in men. This has been well demonstrated during the Covid pandemic. But, the other side of the coin is that women are more likely to suffer auto-immune diseases than men. …
Yes, Strep causes sore throats but there are many types of Strep. Strep is short for Streptococcus which is the genus of the family. And then there are many species of Streptococcus. In fact, there are so many species in the family tree they are in groups from “A” to “H”. Streptococcus pyogenes is the specific organism that causes “Strep throat” but it also causes impetigo. Streptococcus pneumonia causes ear, sinus, bronchial and lung infections. Streptococcus faecalis causes urinary infections. …
The New England Journal of Medicine recently published a research article on a drug trial of difelikefalin (who comes up with these names?) to treat Notalgia paresthetica. Notalgia paresthetica is an allergic mimic; it is actually a form of localized neuropathy. It is sometimes called the itch that rashes. It is characterized by chronic recurrent localized itching (usually unilateral) in the interscapular paravertebral area. (i.e., the shoulder blade). It is felt to be due to dysfunction of the cutaneous branches…
True or classic drug allergy is mediated by the drug activating the allergic protein (IgE) which in turn causes Mast cells in the skin and throughout the body to release histamine. However, it has been known for quite some time that some drug reactions are not mediated by IgE. These have been referred to as pseudo-allergic reactions or anaphylactoid (as opposed to anaphylaxis). Then comes the discovery of Mas-related G protein – coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) which sits on the…
A recent article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences discussed the discovery of a bacteria whose only diet is viruses; hence the name virovore. Actually, the scientific one is Halteria ciliate. These bacteria were first discovered in fresh water ponds. In the lab, each Halteria organism consumed 1 million viruses daily, but when studied in their natural element they consumed 1 quadrillion viruses daily. Since Halteria do not seem to be pathogenic to humans there is ongoing…
Both the cause and treatment of Alzheimer’s are elusive. Current treatments are modestly effective at best. Recently touted to be the god-send treatment by removing the amyloid plaque the monoclonal therapy (aducanumab and lecanemab) has been a disappointment. In fact, their failure has led to a shift in focus from the amyloid as the prime culprit to mitochondria. Yes, amyloid deposits are found in the Alzheimer’s brain but so too is found a reduction in mitochondria. Mitochondria are the…
As tempting as it is to let nature turn your yellow car back to its original color, gentle precipitation is not only not strong enough to physically remove those tiny pollen specks, but water can actually activate or intensify its acidity! Soapy water however, binds to and neutralizes its pain damaging potential. Oh boy kids! Guess what you get to do today!?!
This newsletter attempts to update its readers on the hot areas in medical research. If you have read even a few of these newsletters you will know the frequency of articles on the human microbiome and immune health. Much research is being done on the complex physiology of the microbiome. In keeping with that theme is research on promoting a healthy microbiome. To date most of this research has been on probiotics either natural as in yogurt or kefir or…
The sale of melatonin is a two billion dollar a year business which must mean that a lot of people have trouble sleeping. Sleep is an intricately choreographed neurologic process. Critical to good sleep is the circadian variation of the reticular activating system. Melatonin produced in our brains has a mild modulating effect on our sleep cycle. However, people who have had their pineal gland (a major source of melatonin) removed are able to sleep just fine. Because melatonin sales…
he- – of a lot of cold and flu this winter? It’s not just you. Covid-19 is adding to its historical legacy by this resurgence of other respiratory infections. According to epidemiologists (scientists who study the incidence and distribution of diseases) this is unprecedented. For instance, hospitalization rates for both adults and children for influenza are the highest in over twenty-five years. The simple explanation is that the cumulative load of infections that would have occurred over the past three…