MARCoNS - A MOST TOXIC INFECTION
Do you wake up with a stuffed up nose even when you don’t have a cold? Do you ever get sinus pressure? Do you ever get irritation or “post nasal drip” in the back of your throat? Has your sense of smell deteriorated? Do you sometimes feel brain foggy and fatigued? Unrefreshed by sleep? Not sleeping well anyway? If this sounds like you, perhaps you should take a look at an often overlooked infection - MARCoNS which stands for Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staph. This is a nasal colonisation common in people with mould illness, long-standing sinus issues or who get a particularly high inflammatory response to toxins produced by mould and bacterial pathogens like Lyme and co. To learn more about MARCoNS and what you can do about it, please read on …
MARCoNS Made Simple
It is a good idea to first define a few key words related to MARCoNS so you can understand it better:
MARCoNS = nasal infection that is stealthy, biofilm-based, resistant to antibiotics, and more about whole body inflammation (fatigue, brain fog, immune dysfunction) than acute sinus infections (which occur after flu or a cold).
Biofilm = A protective slimy matrix like a cocoon where pathogens like MARcONS hide from the immune system and antibiotics. It makes infections harder to kill.
Biotoxin = A poisonous substance produced by a living organism (bacteria, fungi, mould or other microbes) that can disrupt normal biological functions in humans, mammals and other organisms. Like smoke from a fire created by microbes - it spreads far beyond where it was produced, poisoning the environment of the whole body.
Mycotoxins = Biotoxins produced by mould.
Endotoxin = A toxin found in certain bacteria. Sometimes called LPS (lipopolysaccharide or fat-sugar molecule that is part of the bacteria). Leaky gut allows LPS to enter the blood and get around the body causing widespread inflammation. Like a toxic splinter from a bacteria’s shell - when it breaks off, it irritates the immune system and can set off widespread alarms in the body.
Leaky gut = Your gut lining is like a coffee filter. In leaky gut, the filter gets holes in it, so “grounds” (toxins, food particles, pathogens) slip through into the coffee (your bloodstream). This can produce an infinite variety of reactions on all body systems.
Antibiotic resistance = Occurs when bacteria adapt to survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally kill them. Resistant bacteria continue to grow and multiply even in the presence of the drug. Overuse of antibiotics accelerates this.
Staph infection = caused by Staphylococcus bacteria, which can live on skin or in the nose without causing problems. MARCoNS is a resistant form of staph bacteria. Think of them as tiny squatters - when they get in the wrong place they cause trouble.
MSH = Stands for Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone which plays a wide role in regulating inflammation, immune response, sleep, pain perception and mucus production in the nasal passages. The toxins produced by MARCoNS suppresses MSH levels. Think of MSH as a “peacekeeper hormone” and MARCoNS as a troublemaker that knocks out the peacekeeper, letting inflammation and immune chaos take over.
The Terrain Is Everything
Antoine Beuchamp, a 19th century scientist and contemporary of Louis Pasteur, is famously attributed to have said, “the terrain is everything, the microbe is nothing.” He believed that disease results from an unhealthy “terrain” (the body’s internal environment) rather than the presence of microbes alone.
How does this relate to MARCoNS infection and how does it differ from a sinus infection after flu or a cold? MARCoNS are coagulase-negative staph bacteria that normally live harmlessly on the skin or nose. They usually colonise the sinuses when the immune system is weakened or the nasal environment is altered (as in Covid). MARCoNS is chronic, stealthy and systemic - often causing persistent fatigue, inflammation and brain fog. Nasal infections arising from colds and flu are usually short-lived and respond well to treatment.
MARCoNS Triggers
What are the commonest triggers for MARCoNS infection?
*Mould exposure (as in water damaged buildings)
*Other toxins and irritants (chemical fumes, dust, heavy metals)
*Chronic bacterial infections (like Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia and co.) which weaken immune defences and allow MARCoNs to take hold in nasal passages.
*Chronic viral infections (EBV, CMV, HSV, SARS-CoV-2 etc.) which create immune suppression and inflammation.
*Candida/other fungal overgrowth/opportunistic bacteria which create immune suppression.
*Leaky gut creating reduced immune surveillance.
If you are exposed to small amounts of mould/mycotoxins/endotoxins over time or larger amounts in a shorter time, this exposure is particularly damaging if you have alterations in the HLA genes which influence response to toxins. In other words, some people are poorer at clearing toxins from the body than others and these are the people who tend to get sick with exposures.
How can MARCoNS affect you?
MARCoNS infection can exert the following effects:
*Lowers levels of a hormone called MSH (Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone) which is made in the pituitary gland and helps control other hormones. Think of MSH as a “peacekeeper hormone.” When diminished, can create metabolic inflammation and hormonal chaos.
*When MSH drops, it disrupts the hypothalamaic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, contributing to adrenal fatigue/deficiency/chronic fatigue/ ‘wired but tired’ state.
*Chronic immune suppression which allows sleeping pathogens like virus and bacteria to wake up again and cause more inflammation and symptoms.
*Makes biofilms and endotoxins. As biofilm blocks the immune cells from removing the pathogens, this makes it more entrenched and much harder to treat.
*Releases chemicals which increase more inflammatory messengers (cytokines).
*Can increase a chemical called TGF-B1, leading to chronic immune activation.
*Can affect cognitive/neurological function.
*Fatigue/exercise intolerance/increased oxidative stress (imbalance between toxins and body’s ability to detoxify them).
Detecting MARCoNS
The presence of MARCoNS infection is detected by a deep nasal swab run by Microbiology DX in the US. UK patients can access this test.
MARCoNS Symptoms
A compromised immune system, leaky gut and contaminated environment is the perfect environment for MARCoNS infection to thrive. Many symptoms overlap with other chronic infection or inflammation conditions. However, here are a few possible MARCoNS symptoms to look out for:
*Joint pain
*Post nasal drip
*Stuffy nose/lingering sinus infections
*Thick nasal mucus
*Asthma attacks
*Low energy
*Watery itchy eyes
*Chronic cough
*Sleep problems
*Facial pressure/ sinus headaches
*Poor sense of smell
*Susceptibility to “electric shocks” from metal handles etc.
*Frequent urination.
Standard MARCoNS Therapy
1.The first and critical step in standard MARCoNS therapy is to removing the mould exposure from your home, workplace, car etc. Without this vital step,
your immune system will continually react to the ongoing contamination and your symptoms won’t improve, no matter what other steps you take! I recommend consulting the UK firm Building Forensics for a good evaluation of the level of contamination in your home and plan on how to eradicate it. This includes dealing with water leaks. Jeff Charlton, its CEO, has wide experience in treating biotoxin-related illness contamination. Simply spraying the affected area may not be enough if biotoxin illness is present!
2.Propolis diffuser run in a contaminated room for 24 hours. Propolis can help disrupt fungal cell activity and reduce spore germination. can penetrate and destabilise biofilms. Hoover in room after use. Can then be used as a maintenance tool for keep air quality viable.
3.Check for contaminated foods i.e. mouldy fruit bowls, nuts, cupboards, indoor plants and eliminate.
4.Low mycotoxin diet. Avoidance of refined sugars, sugary drinks and alcohol, high glycemic fruits, gluten, cows’ dairy, fermented foods; reduction of coffee and chocolate.
5.Antimicrobial nasal sprays that target MARCoNS infection specifically and reduce biofilms used three times daily. If not enough progress is made in six weeks of targeted sprays and environmental clean-up, consider an appropriate antibiotic nasal spray like BEG spray which is prescription only and made up from a compounding pharmacist. Avoid fluoroquinolone antibiotics, like Ciprofloxacin as their side effects may be far worse than MARCoNS symptoms.
6.Oral antibiotics are not part of standard MARCoNS therapy as the name suggests (“multiple antibiotic resistant”). Specially formulated nasal sprays hit the infected spot directly and should contain agents to break down biofilm defences which the MARCoNS pathogens hide behind. Oral antibiotics are poor at this.
7.Having a binder on board is part of standard MARCoNS therapy. The is to “mop up” the pathogen debris and make sure it does not find its way back into general circulation, making you feel more toxic! My preferred MARCoNS binder is a powder called Zeolite Lava Vitae from Ki Science which safe and easy to use. Never use liquid zeolite products.
8. Hidden infections in the teeth and jawbone can act as reservoirs for MARCoNS and many other immune suppressing infections. Getting this area checked and addressed by a Biological, not regular dentist, can be an important part of recovery from MARCoNS.
If you suspect you have MARCoNS and would like help with this, please get in touch with the Good Health Clinic on goodhealthclinic@outlook.com to request a free 30 minute Enquiry Call or book an appointment. Please note that an Enquiry call is not a consultation but an exploratory call to see if this is a clinical approach you wish to pursue.To your very good health,
Suzanne Jeffery (Nutritional Medicine Consultant)
M.A.(Oxon), BSc.(NMed), PGCE, GNC, BSEM, MNNA, CNHC
The Good Health Clinic at The Business Centre, 2, Cattedown Road, Plymouth PL4 0EG
Tel no: 07836 552936/ Answer phone: 01752 774755
Disclaimer:
All advice given out by Suzanne Jeffery and the Good Health Clinic is for general guidance and informational purposes only. All advice relating to other health professionals’ advice is for general guidance and information purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information provided with other sources. Patients and consumers should review the information carefully with their professional health care provider. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by other practitioners and physicians. Suzanne Jeffery and the Good Health Clinic will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages arising therefrom.