Penicillin: The Old/New Wonder Drug

Abstract

Penicillin (PCN) has been shown to treat psoriasis effectively and be curative in many cases. Streptococcus is the organism responsible for beginning the process and has previously escaped detection by moving intracellularly or by forming biofilms. The treatment is low dose for many months and thus is similar to rheumatic fever. Arthritis has been shown to be caused by biofilm-forming dental and Lyme spirochetes, and these organisms, like the streptococcus in psoriasis, have escaped detection. Penicillin, plus a biofilm-dispersing agent is effective in treating arthritis in which tissue destruction has not already occurred.Alzheimer's disease has been shown to be caused by those same spirochetes involved in arthritis, and, is in every way, similar to the dementia of neurosyphilis caused by Treponema pallidum. These organisms make biofilms that induce B amyloid and a Toll-like receptor 2 response leading to tissue destruction. Penicillin given prior to the organisms arrival in the brain (or before they create biofilms) would effectively prevent dementia in Alzheimer's as it does in syphilis. We have shown that biofilm-forming staphylococci are integral to the etiology of atopic dermatitis. Along with standard corticosteroid therapy, antibacterial treatment, as opposed to antibiotics, appears to be a better treatment in AD because all the organisms are multi-drug resistant and 60% are MRSA or MSRE. Treatment with PCN in psoriasis, arthritis, and syphilis, has thus far not led to resistance and may actually prevent resistance by killing organisms before they make biofilms and share resistance genes. rash [11]. The cutaneous manifestation typically accompanies the pharyngeal infection with the rash emerging due to erythrogenic toxins produced by the bacterium [10]. Treatment remains a ten-day course of oral penicillin VK or erythromycin, or a single intramuscular injection of penicillin G benzathine. If administered within 1 week of onset of acute pharyngitis, acute renal failure may be prevented [12]. Rheumatic feverLikewise, penicillin has equally revolutionized the treatment of rheumatic fever and the subsequent cardiac complications. Acute rheumatic fever occurs 2-3 weeks following infection of the pharynx by Group A streptococcus (GAS) [13]. Manifestations of acute rheumatic fever include arthritis, chorea, erythema marginatum and most importantly, carditis. Reinfection by GAS notably leads to valvular destruction and eventual heart failure [14]. While the reason exactly why infection by GAS causes rheumatic fever has yet to be determined, current hypotheses stipulate a relationship between the M protein of the bacterium, biofilm formation, and molecular mimicry between antibodies against bacterial proteins and cardiac membranes. Work by Catanzaro et al. noted that the development of rheumatic fever required living streptococci throughout the convalescent period, making penicillin treatment and prophylaxis essential [15].Treatment of acute rheumatic fever involves penicillin in alternate roles. Preventi...

The Role of Propionibacterium acnes Biofilm in Acne Vulgaris

“…Most recently, decandiol has exhibited both antibiofilm and antimicrobial effects against this bacterium, perhaps acting via though a surfactant-like mechanism of action [27]. Allen et al have summarized other topical biofilm dispersers including silver, selenium, cinnamates, curcumin, flavonoids among others [28]. Oral agents such as rifampin have been shown to be effective biofilm dispersers as well [28].…”

“…Allen et al have summarized other topical biofilm dispersers including silver, selenium, cinnamates, curcumin, flavonoids among others [28]. Oral agents such as rifampin have been shown to be effective biofilm dispersers as well [28]. Combinations of the biofilm dispersers with antibiotics offer new avenues for research and treatment.…”

Virally-Induced, Intracellular Biofilms; Novel Findings in Molluscum Contagiosum

“…Treatment that might arise from this observation could possibly involve a biofilm dispersing agent [12] but whether that agent would penetrate through the punctum to the depths of the lesion and then through the cell wall, is questionable. This work does offer a protocol to investigate other viral diseases to discover whether those create biofilms.…”

Autoimmune Diseases of the Innate and Adaptive Immune System including Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis, Chronic Arthritis, Lyme Disease, and Alzheimers Disease

“…Normally, the blood brain barrier prevents the lymphocytes from entering the brain. The IgG influx creates the destruction of the tissue because it cannot penetrate the biofilms coating the spirochetes and destroys the surrounding tissue (as an innocent bystander) [22]. Thus it is similar to the other disease with the innate system leading to chronic disease and the adaptive system leading to rapid widespread destruction.…”

“…In the oral cavity, the spirochetes are well known for causing dental plaque, which itself is a biofilm [21]. If caught early enough, treatment with penicillin and a biofilmdispersing agent will give resolution of the joint discomfort [22]. The 30% of patients who were not helped by this regimen required joint replacement within 3 months after completion.…”