Chronic Infection Screening

This panel tests for chlamydial species (3 types), Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Toxoplasma gondii, and pathogens associated with Lyme disease. This test may also detect viruses and oral pathogens.

Obligate intracellular pathogens are microorganisms that can only survive, grow, and replicate inside host cells. They lack the metabolic machinery to live independently outside a cell. That is, they feed off of electrons that your mitochondria produce rather than use glucose. Consequently, the host (YOU) experiences low energy/fatigue.

Main Types

• Viruses (all are obligate intracellular).

• Certain bacteria: e.g., Chlamydia (trachomatis, pneumoniae), Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Coxiella burnetii, Orientia, and spirochetes of all types, including those from even mild gum disease.

• Some protozoa and other microbes also fit this category. Toxoplasma Gondii is an example.

These pathogens have reduced genomes and depend on the host cell for nutrients and energy (e.g., ATP).

THEY ARE "ELECTRON STEALER," and electrons are YOUR energy.

How They Cause Chronic Diseases

They excel at long-term persistence by:

• Hiding inside cells — This shields them from antibodies and some immune attacks.

• Modulating host cell processes — They inhibit apoptosis (programmed cell death) to keep their host cell alive longer, in a weakened state.

• Entering a persistent (non-replicating or slow-growing) state — Often called “aberrant bodies” in Chlamydia. In this viable but dormant-like form, they are less visible to the immune system and more resistant to antibiotics.

• Causing ongoing low-grade inflammation — This leads to tissue damage, scarring, and chronic conditions over time.

• When active, white blood cell counts may be slightly abnormal (high or low), and hsCRP may be elevated.

• The ESR biomarker is often elevated when these types of pathogens are present