Episode #106: Bartonella and MCAS with Dr. Tania Dempsey, MD

This resource features Dr. Tania Dempsey discussing the complex interplay between Bartonella, a common tick-borne co-infection, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Dr. Dempsey highlights that Bartonella can be more prevalent and challenging than Lyme disease, affecting numerous body systems, particularly the nervous system. Transmission vectors include ticks, fleas, and even vertical transmission from mother to child during pregnancy, potentially causing neuropsychiatric symptoms that overlap with conditions like PANS/PANDAS in children. The diagnosis of Bartonella often requires clinical suspicion supported by lab tests, though tests alone can be inconclusive. MCAS is often triggered by infections like Bartonella and environmental factors such as mold, potentially exacerbating symptoms in conditions like POTS and EDS. She emphasizes the need for personalized treatment strategies, which might include antibiotics, herbal treatments, immune modulation strategies, and attention to environmental exposures. Dr. Dempsey discusses the challenge of managing MCAS, noting it often requires ongoing management due to its complex nature involving both genetic predispositions and environmental triggers.