CIRS and MARCoNS

Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) is deeply intertwined with various bacterial infections, one of which is Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (MARCoNS). MARCoNS is a type of staph bacteria that can reside deep within the nasal passages and is resistant to multiple antibiotics.

 

Let’s take a closer look at MARCoNS to explore its significance to CIRS, detailing the methods for testing and identifying this infection, and outlining effective treatment plans. Understanding MARCoNS is crucial for those managing CIRS, as addressing this infection can be a pivotal step in the journey toward recovery.

 

What Is CIRS?

 

 

CIRS is recognized as a complex medical condition characterized by widespread inflammation and diverse symptoms across multiple organ systems, triggered by an overreactive immune response. Accurately diagnosing CIRS necessitates an exhaustive evaluation of the patient’s medical history and specific laboratory tests. The symptoms associated with CIRS vary widely among individuals, often leading to incorrect diagnoses or inappropriate treatments. Distinguishing CIRS from other immune disorders is challenging because it does not show up in conventional autoimmune blood tests, necessitating the use of specialized diagnostic techniques to properly identify this condition.

 

 

 

What are the triggers for the severe immune reactions and pervasive inflammation observed in CIRS? The primary culprits are biotoxins—natural toxic substances that have specific molecular weights and originate from various sources:

 

• Water-Damaged Environments: It’s estimated that around 80% of CIRS cases are linked to inhaling air from environments damaged by water. These settings often contain mold mycotoxins, bacteria, and a range of chemical irritants, all of which can trigger inflammatory responses in individuals susceptible to CIRS. Both living and non-living components of mold contribute to significant inflammation within the body and brain.

 

• Insect Bites: Bites from certain types of ticks and spiders may lead to ongoing ailments such as chronic Lyme disease, caused by organisms like Borrelia burgdorferi and Babesia microti. Additionally, toxins from recluse spider bites are known to cause long-lasting health issues.

 

• Seafood Consumption: Eating tropical reef fish that are contaminated with ciguatera toxin, which is associated with Pfiesteria and harmful algae blooms including cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), can result in biotoxin-related health problems. These toxins accumulate as larger reef fish consume smaller fish that have ingested dinoflagellates.

 

• Contact with Contaminated Water: Coming into contact with or inhaling water contaminated with toxic algae blooms, such as those from Pfiesteria and cyanobacteria, can also initiate the inflammatory responses characteristic of CIRS.

 

• Other Biotoxin Sources: CIRS can also be triggered by exposure to certain vaccines, viruses, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), endotoxins, and actinomycetes, which are additional sources of biotoxins.

 

 

Due to their small molecular size, biotoxins can easily penetrate cell membranes, making them nearly undetectable in standard blood tests. These toxins predominantly enter the body through inhalation, though they can also be absorbed via ingestion, or through tick and spider bites, and direct contact with contaminated water.

 

Exposure to prevalent biotoxins such as mold does not necessarily result in CIRS; an individual’s genetic makeup and life stressors significantly influence their susceptibility to biotoxin-related conditions. Events such as severe illnesses, surgeries, high fevers, pregnancies, significant biotoxin exposure, and other stressful experiences can trigger a cytokine storm. This immune reaction may activate the CIRS gene in those who are genetically susceptible, particularly in individuals carrying HLA-DR genes, underscoring that CIRS can emerge at any stage in life. Notably, the absence of symptoms does not guarantee immunity, making genetic testing a vital tool for prevention.

 

While biotoxins might cause immediate illness, most individuals’ immune systems are capable of identifying and eliminating these invaders efficiently. However, for those with a genetic predisposition to CIRS, their immune systems fail to recognize and remove these toxins, leading to their accumulation in the body. This results in persistent, severe immune reactions and widespread inflammation, culminating in a variety of symptoms and chronic health issues.

 

The biotoxin pathway explains why CIRS is a multi-system, multi-symptom condition, you can learn more about the biotoxin pathway here.

 

For a more detailed understanding of CIRS, click here.

 

Pro-Tip: If you think you’re suffering from CIRS, start with our White Glove Service for comprehensive care.

 

What Are MARCoNS?

 

 

MARCoNS is an antibiotic-resistant staph that resides in the deep nasal passage of 80% of individuals with low melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), those suffering from CIRS, and other chronic inflammatory illnesses. MARCoNS isn’t an infection but a commensal colonization of bacteria that can become an infection. It’s essentially a nasal staph colonization.

 

These bacteria send chemicals into the blood (exotoxins A and B) and by cleaving MSH, cause further decrease of MSH levels which in turn creates more inflammation. MARCoNS make hemolysin which cleaves MSH, therefore, rendering it inactive.

 

Having a prolonged MARCoNS colonization further lowers MSH, increases cytokines, reduces endorphins, and lowers T-reg cells. This results in chronic fatigue symptoms of body aches and debilitating exhaustion.

 

MARCoNS isn’t commonly found in the deep sinuses of normal individuals with innate immune systems as MSH protects the mucous membranes in the nose from its colonization. Fungal exposure, chronic Lyme disease, and biotoxin illness (CIRS) deplete MSH, leading to the colonization of MARCoNS.

 

Staph Coagulase Negative becomes multiple antibiotic resistant due to the formation of a biofilm which protects the bacteria from the penetration of the antibiotics.

 

Reduced MSH is a co-factor that can lead to MARCoNS becoming a nasal staph infection. MARCoNS activates inflammation while producing biofilm and biotoxins.

 

What Are the Symptoms of MARCoNS?

 

 

MARCoNS do not have any direct symptoms but contribute to low MSH which causes multi-system, multi-symptoms similar to the broader symptoms of CIRS.

 

As MSH is further lowered by MARCoNS, this can lead to:

• Chronic fatigue and pain
• Hormone imbalances
• Mood swings
• Leaky gut
• Alternating constipation and diarrhea
• Lower melatonin (poor sleep)
• Low antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
• High adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol (for survival)
• Adrenal fatigue

 

Anecdotally, some of our patients have reported sinus congestion and other sinus symptoms associated with MARCoNS.

 

What Causes MARCoNS?

Having a compromised immune system from water-damaged buildings is one of the main culprits for developing MARCoNS. Biotoxin illnesses such as CIRS, Chronic Lyme disease, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can also create susceptibility to developing MARCoNS colonization.

 

If you have one of the chronic conditions listed above, these can also make you more susceptible to the following in addition to MARCoNS:

 

• Epstein Barr Virus
• Cytomegalovirus
• Herpes
• Candidiasis and small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO)
• Chronic Lyme

 

The likelihood of having MARCoNS increases as well if you’ve been treated with antibiotics for more than one month.

 

How Do You Test for MARCoNS?

MARCoNS testing is a similar process to the nasal COVID-19 qPCR test. Once the test is ordered, a kit is sent to you with a nasal swab test to be performed. It’s essential to get the nasal swab as high up as possible in order to obtain a sample from deep within your nasal cavity.

 

You can purchase testing directly from MicrobiologyDX or through Nutrition with Judy which includes an in-depth results explanation, next steps, and resources.