6BIOFILM (MARCONS) TEST + Biofilms
Price: $695 (Testing + Consult)
- Nasal Culture Collection Procedure ((includes MARCoNS & other pathogens)
- Biofilm Analysis
- Nares Fungal Culture
FAQs
No- This test is done at home and comes with prepaid shipping materials and everything you need to ensure proper delivery to the lab.
Web results are posted within 7-14 business days. Our office will notify you when test results have been reported.
Yes. The kit comes with easy to follow instructions.
Yes. Dr Hagmeyer will review the test result with you. Each test comes with a 30-45 minute post-test review/explanation.
One we have placed the order for the test we are unable to issue a refund.
MARCoNS Symptoms
Symptoms of MARCoNS may be similar to various chronic health issues, including fibromyalgia and autoimmune problems. Symptoms of MARCoNS may include:
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Difficulty focusing and concentrating
- Memory issues
- Brain fog
- Headaches or migraines
- Joint pain
- Stiffness in the morning
- Facial and/or sinus pain
- Sinus congestion
- Tearing of the eyes
- Red eyes
- Sensitivity to eyes
- Shortness of breath
- Night sweats
- Temperature dysregulation
MARCoNS and Mold Culture
MARCoNS stand for multiple antibiotic resistant coagulase negative staph. It is a newly discovered and understood bacteria, an antibiotic-resistant form of staph MARCoNS can be found in your nasal cavity. MARCoNS itself is not an infection. However, colonization may lead to an infection, causing inflammation and health issues.
Pathogenic coagulase-negative Staphylococci bacteria may affect a variety of bodily functions. It releases bacterial toxins (exotoxins A and B) into your bloodstream that can negatively affect healthy cellular function. These toxins are made by harmful bacteria hiding in your nasal cavity that may increase inflammatory response and lead to health issues (1, 2).
The problem is these bacteria can become antibiotic-resistant to several different antibiotics. This is where the term MARCoNS comes from. MARCoNS survives within biofilms and makes exotoxins that may harm your body.
Because it is protected by biofilms, MARCoNS is very difficult to treat. MARCoNS may play a role in the development and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, and other autoimmune conditions. MARCoNS may also play a role in Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS).
Nares Bacterial Culture (includes MARCoNS & other pathogens):
We identify organisms and provide susceptibility profiles.
Testing For MARCONS : Nares Fungal Culture:
Testing for MARCONS and Biofilms is done using a nasal swap of the nose. We identify fungus including mold and yeast from the same swab submitted for bacterial culture.
MARCoNs often presents as sinus symptoms. This is often the case in those exposed to mold.
As a result, you may have symptoms that include headaches, facial pain, sinus pressure, tooth pain, and others.
MARCONS And Biofilms
MARCoNS (Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) is an antibiotic resistant staph that resides deep in the nasal passage of 80% of people with low MSH (Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone), those suffering from Biotoxin Illness and other chronic inflammatory illnesses CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) and CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome).
This percentage increases when the person has also been treated with antibiotics for a month or more. Once it has established itself with the nasal cavity, MARCoNS will further lower MSH (MARCoNS make hemolysin that cleave MSH rendering it inactive), increases cytokines, and lower T-reg cells resulting in Chronic Fatigue symptoms of body aches and debilitating exhaustion.
MARCoNS is not an infection but a commensal colonization that can become an infection.
These bacteria send chemicals into the blood (exotoxins A and B) that increase inflammation and by cleaving MSH causes a further decrease of MSH levels, which in turn creates more inflammation.
MARCoNS live in the deep nasal passages and is common in all Biotoxin illness.
MARCoNS is not commonly found in the deep sinuses of normal individuals with intact immune systems. MARCoNS is found in many patients with mold exposure, chronic lyme disease and biotoxin illnesses.
As MSH is further lowered by MARCoNS, fatigue and chronic pain due to reduced endorphins and increased cytokines. Testing for biofilm formation and MARCONS is essential in patients with mold exposure, Chronic Lyme and biotoxin Illness, CIRS.
In addition, hormone imbalances, mood swings, leaky gut, alternating constipation and diarrhea, lower melatonin (poor sleep), and low ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone) are all the result of low MSH.
Order Your Personalized MARCONS + Biofilm Test Profile which includes:
- Comprehensive MARCONS + Fungal Biofilm Test.
- One on one consult with Dr. Hagmeyer to discuss Test Results
MSH and MARCoNS
One way that MARCoNS affects the health of your intestinal barrier is by releasing toxins that reduce the production of a hormone called Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH). The MSH is made in your pituitary gland and plays a role in several health functions. It helps to control other hormones in your body.
It also plays a part in inflammatory and immune responses against various pathogens. According to a 2012 study published in Peptides and a 2020 study published in ACS Omega, MSH supports your body’s fight against MARCoNS by killing methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (2A, 2B). MARCoNS infections can lead to low levels of MSH, which can lead to a vicious cycle of infection and symptoms.
Low levels of MSH may increase your risk of fungal infections related to mold exposure. Mold-related infections may lead to chronic symptoms, including chronic pain, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and sexual dysfunction. MSH plays an essential role in your intestinal health. It helps to process the protein gliadin in your gut. According to a 2017 study published in PLoS One, low levels of MSH may lead to inflammation and gaps in your gut lining (3).
Since gut health and leaky gut play such an important role in MSH levels and MARCoNS, addressing your microbiome health may be key to recovery.
According to a 2018 review published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, your diet and food allergies for example, can deeply impact your gut microbiome and increase your risk of leaky gut syndrome (4).
MSH or melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), can be used as a marker for inflammation, pain, and sleep issues.
MSH characterizes a group of hormones made by the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and skin cells. It’s a powerful anti-inflammatory and helps to regulate inflammatory response.
A low MSH level is associated with low endorphins, which means an increase in pain. MSH is essential for preserving the skin from ultraviolet rays, the development of pigmentation, and controlling appetite.
Low MSH is caused by increased inflammation, triggered by cytokines reacting to biotoxins such as mold or bacterial/fungal/parasitic infections in the body.
Those that suffer from biotoxin illnesses, such as chronic Lyme disease and mold exposure, are prone to inflammatory activity that lowers MSH.
Normal levels and between 20 and 80 pg/ml.
Low levels are commonly seen in chronic fatigue, chronic pain, chronic sleep issue, and pituitary dysfunction.
Are there other tests that should be done as well.?
Depending on the results of this test, Dr Hagmeyer will make recommendations into any additional testing he feels will be helpful to you.
These may include inflammatory markers, immune system markers, Hormone testing, Nutritional testing, Microbiome testing, or others. Each case requires a personalized approach.
