Peptides for Recurring or Chronic Infections

I got a cortisone shot for knee pain and ever since have dealt with recurring infections once or sometimes two or three times a year. They start in different spots. I have tried surgery, full courses of IV antibiotics, and other approaches, but the infections always return on schedule.

Sounds like something more persistent is involved. Besides TA-1 you might want to look at LL-37 as well. Searches here did not turn up much, but a few sources describe it as a human cathelicidin and antimicrobial peptide produced by certain white blood cells. It is studied for roles in both innate and adaptive immunity and sometimes discussed as a possible alternative to antibiotics. It is said to fight bacteria by disrupting cell membranes and may also help regulate inflammation depending on the situation.

This is helpful, thanks. I will check into LL-37 along with TA-1.

I would skip LL-37. There is a study linking the human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 to progression of Alzheimer's disease.

That is useful information. I have not tried it yet but do have some on hand. Definitely worth considering, thanks.

Chronic sinus infections are miserable. A couple of things helped me: intranasal ozone twice a day for a few weeks, and sinus probiotics with L. sakei mixed in distilled water applied directly into the nose. Some research found low levels of that probiotic in people with ongoing sinus trouble.

I do not see how a peptide would help, especially when sterility testing fails up to ten percent of the time. Have you consulted an infectious disease specialist?

Yes, they have been working on it for years and the problem keeps coming back.

For the past five years I have been getting sudden severe sinus infections with bleeding and green discharge, plus headache, eye strain, brain fog, and darkening around the eyes. KPV helped the eye-area symptoms but not the infection itself. Two years ago one cleared after two rounds of Augmentin. I keep some on hand now. Since January I have had another and KPV has not helped this time either. I wish LL-37 did not have the Alzheimer's connection because otherwise it looks promising.

Have you seen an ENT? I went through multiple antibiotics before the balloon sinuplasty finally stopped the cycle. That was my first infection since 2019. Between the procedure and using Astepro to keep passages open I have been able to avoid repeats. Hope you find something that works.

I did see one. He prescribed the two rounds of Augmentin and the prescription nasal spray. He noted a deviation on scope but never brought up surgery. I may ask about the balloon procedure now. This has really worn me down. Thanks for the suggestion.

Among other possible causes, have you checked for low-level dental infections? A 3D cone beam scan can pick up issues that regular x-rays miss, especially after past oral surgery or root canals.

That is very true. Two years ago after the ENT visits my dentist spotted a shadow above the right upper area on x-rays even though my teeth looked fine and I had no pain or swelling. He suggested a root canal on the eyetooth next to the sinus because it might be the source. A few weeks after the procedure the sinus problems cleared and stayed gone for almost two years. Now they have returned since January.

Teeth can cause a surprising amount of trouble. I had all my root canals removed for a very similar reason. Right after removal my histamine reactions dropped by half and food sensitivities improved over the following years. I hope you get it sorted. It is an under-discussed factor in sinus problems.

I hope so too. Basic dental hygiene matters more than people realize because problems in the mouth can affect the whole head. I was reading about LL-37 last night and one of the cited studies found gingivitis bacteria in Alzheimer's tissue samples. Severe sinus infections can also cause neurological symptoms, brain fog, and vision issues. Doctors often overlook these connections.

Exactly. I have always gone twice a year, three times after wisdom teeth removal years ago, and will keep that schedule for life.