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Proving an organism makes a biologically active neurotoxin isn't an easy task. Simply seeing chronic illness acquired following exposure doesn't confirm that the illness is caused by biotoxins. We have no data to support the concept that Candida, mycoplasma, Chlamydia and viruses make biotoxins, for example, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. I only have one patient with confirmed rickettsial illness (Rocky Mountain Spotted fever) that required biotoxin Rx for completion of treatment and restoration of health. There are many examples of illnesses caused by biotoxins on this site of which Lyme is only one type.

Perhaps the definition of a biotoxin would be helpful.

I define a biotoxin as a biologically produced, low molecular weight toxin, usually an ionophore, that creates a molecular dipole or anion ring in three dimensions. These compounds have the potential to elicit a pro-inflammatory cytokine response by binding to membrane receptors, independent of their possible intracellular effects. These effects can be seen in isolated cell systems. We identify the illness from exposure to a biotoxin by the inflammatory effects of such exposures seen in affected patient. Not all patients exposed to biotoxins become ill: Individual susceptibility is not part of the definition of a biotoxin but is part of the definition of the illnesses caused by biotoxins.

In the vast majority of cases, we can't provide documentation of presence of biotoxins in patients. Blood tests, even if they were available and reliable, won't tell us much as ionophores rapidly leave the circulation or are bound to Toll or c-type lectin receptors. Antibody testing for toxins just doesn't hold up to intense lab scrutiny. Stool tests aren't reliable either.

Another part of the problem with confirmation of presence of toxin illness is the role of size of the molecule. Botulinum toxin is clearly a neurotoxin, but that compound has a molecular weight of 150,000 compared to

T-2 toxin (fungal toxin) which has a molecular weight of 466 and microcystin at 944. Botulinum toxin won't bind to small receptors!

Biotoxins will have a particular shape in three dimensions, aligning the molecules like oil and vinegar, with water-loving (hydrophilic) parts stretching themselves away from water not-loving (hydrophobic) parts. The twisting of these small molecules in three dimensions provides for the opportunity for sharing of electrons in a "ring" or dipole. That ring then creates a net negative charge, with the shape of the ring having an eerily consistent radius of about the same size as the positive charge on the side chains of cholestyramine (CSM). Putting CSM is solution with the anion rings creates the potential that there will be an electrical attraction between the molecules, leading to binding.

Take a [url=http://www.biotoxin.info/Biotoxin_Stucture] look [/url]at the structure of beauvericin, a fungal toxin and ciguatoxin.

Can you see how the oxygens (hydrophilic) will line up in these molecules?

The fascinating finding that all these biotoxins activate the same innate immune responses, with the elements of the innate immunity being the same in people and primitive one-celled organism speaks volumes about conservation of immunity over evolutionary time.

Ritch Shoemaker, MD
CRBAI Pocomoke, Md
www.biotoxin.info