http://www.immed.org/illness/fatigue_illness_research.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chronic
Fatigue Illnesses Prof. Garth L. Nicolson Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Syndrome
and Other Fatigue Conditions Chronic fatigue is reported by 20% of all patients seeking
medical care and is considered as a nonspecific sign that is associated with
many well known medical conditions. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic
Encephalomyelitis (ME), and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) patients suffer from
complex overlapping signs and symptoms. (see 'Signs/Symptoms' Questions,
above) CFS is primarily characterized by persisting or relapsing fatigue
without previous history of comparable symptoms that does not resolve with
rest. In these patients other clinical conditions are absent that can explain
the signs and symptoms such as malignancies or autoimmune diseases. In
contrast, FMS patients have overall muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness as
primary complaints, but they have most if not all of the commonly found signs
and symptoms for CFS. We previously proposed that CFS/ME patients might be
suffering from chronic infections that can cause, in part, their complex
signs and symptoms. For example, systemic mycoplasmal infections can cause
chronic fatigue, muscle pain and a variety of additional signs and symptoms,
some of which are related to dysfunctional immune responses and in extreme
cases autoimmune-like disorders. Some mycoplasmas can invade virtually every
human tissue and can compromise the immune system, permitting opportunistic
infections by other bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeast. When mycoplasmas exit
certain cells, such as synovial cells, nerve cells, among others that can be
infected, they can stimulate autoimmune response. Our recently published
studies demonstrated a possible link between mycoplasmal infections and CFS
and FMS, since we found high frequencies of mycoplasmal infections in these
patients. Previously we examined patients with chronic illnesses for the
presence of mycoplasmal infections. We found that about one half of patients
with Gulf War Illness and two third of patients with CFS/ME and FMS were
positive for mycoplasmal infections in their blood. The Gulf War Veterans
suffer from signs and symptoms similar to patients diagnosed with CFS and
FMS. They can be treated using antibiotics effective against mycoplasmal
infections, and once they recover, their blood is no longer positive for the
presence of mycoplasmal infections. Our recent results indicate that
Rheumatoid Arthritis is also associated with mycoplasmal infections. (see
'Autoimmune Diseases') Recent reports and publications indicate that in addition to
mycoplasmal infections, CFS/ME and FMS patients have other chronic infections
caused by other intracellular bacteria and viruses. For example, patients
with Lyme Disease, caused by intracellular Borrelia infections, have
been diagnosed with CFS/ME. Also, CFS/ME and FMS patients can have
intracellular Chlamydia species infections. These patients can also
have infections by other bacteria that enter their bodies through 'leaky gut'
problems. Chronically ill patients often have inflammatory bowel syndrome and
other gut problems, and this can allow pathogenic bacteria to enter their
systems. Patients with CFS/ME and FMS can also have viral infections
that complicate their conditions and cause morbidity. Such infections can
occur with or without the bacterial infections described above. Viruses that
have been associated with CFS/ME and FMS are Human Herpes Virus-6 (HHV-6) and
Cytomeglovirus (CMV). These viruses have been found at high incidence in
chronically ill patients, and especially those with CFS/ME. Patients with
CFS/ME or FMS can have predominantly intracellular bacterial infections,
predominantly viral infections, or a combination of intracellular bacterial
and viral infections. This may be one reason why the underlying causes of
these chronic illnesses are so difficult to determine and effectively treat.
The other reason could be the persistent nature of the infections and their
ability to hide inside cells where they are essentially refractory to immune
system responses, their slow growing natures and their relative insensitivity
to therapeutic drugs (see references below). |
|
PUBLICATIONS |
||
|
1 |
The Pathogenesis and Treatment of Mycoplasmal Infections |
|
|
2 |
Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Mycoplasmal Infections
in Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndromes: Relationship to Gulf War
Illness |
|
|
3 |
Mycoplasmal Infections in Chronic Illnesses: Fibromyalgia
and Chronic Fatigue Syndromes, Gulf War Illness, HIV-AIDS and Rheumatoid
Arthritis |
|
|
4 |
Multiple Mycoplasmal Infections Detected in Blood of
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome Patients |
|
|
5 |
Identification And Treatment Of Chronic Infections In
CFIDS, Fibromyalgia Syndrome And Rheumatoid Arthritis |
|
|
6 |
Role of Mycoplasmal Infections in Fatigue Illnesses:
Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Syndromes, Gulf War Illness and Rheumatoid
Arthritis |
|
|
7 |
Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Infections in Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Gulf War Illness |
|
|
8 |
Diagnosis and integrative treatment of intracellular
bacterial infections in Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Syndromes, Gulf War
Illness, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other chronic illnesses. Clin. Pract.
Alt. Medicine 2000; 1(2): 92-102 |
|
|
9 |
Examination of mycoplasmas in blood of 565 Chronic Illness
patients by polymerase chain reaction. Intern. J. Med. Biol. Environ.
2000; 28(1): 15-23. |
|
|
10 |
Review: Immunology of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by R.
Patarca et al. J. Chronic Fatigue Syndr. 2000; 6(3/4): 69-107. |
|
|
REPORTS |
||
|
1 |
Mycoplasmas: the Missing Link in Fatiguing Illnesses by
Michael Guthrie Alternative Medicine; 2001; Sept: 60-70. |
|
|
2 |
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis,
Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Gulf War Illness |
|
|
3 |
New Treatments for Chronic Infections Found in CFS, Fibromyalgia
Syndrome and Gulf War Illnesses |
|
|
4 |
Mycoplasmal Infections in Blood from Patients with Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Syndrome or Gulf War Illness |
|
|
5 |
Identification and Treatment of Chronic Infections in Fibromyalgia
Syndrome |
|
|
6 |
The Role of Chronic Infections in the Maintenance and
Progression of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Rheumatoid
Arthritis, Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Gulf War Illness |
|
|
7 |
Identification and Treatment of Chronic Infections in
CFIDS, Fibromyalgia Sydrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients that Cause
Morbidity and Illness Progression |
|
|
8 |
New Treatments for Chronic Infections Found in
Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis and
Gulf War Illnesses |
|
|
9 |
Chronic Infections in Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Sources of Morbidity
and Illness Progression. |
|
|
10 |
Recommendations for Diagnostic Laboratory Testing |
|
|
11 |
CFS National Radio Program 11/21/00 with Dr. Roger G.
Mazlen interviewing Prof. Garth Nicolson |
|
|
12 |
Research Overview: Professor Garth Nicolson's Studies and
Treatments Explained By Deborah Cooper, ImmuneSupport.com Treatment &
Research Library |
|
|
13 |
Update on Gulf War Illnesses: Relationship to Fibromyalgia
Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/M.E. and the Possible Role of Vaccines
By Prof. Garth Nicolson, The Fibromyalgia Survivor, 2001 |
|
ALL
INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR
GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE
KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED
AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO
VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU
ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.