Mycoplasma blood infection in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia syndromes.
Endresen GK.:
Source
Department of Rheumatology, The National Hospital, University of Oslo, Forskningsvn. 2-Block B, 0027, Oslo, Norway. gerhard.endresen@rikshospitalet.no
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are characterised by a lack of consistent laboratory and clinical abnormalities. Although they are distinguishable as separate syndromes based on established criteria, a great number of patients are diagnosed with both. In studies using polymerase chain reaction methods, mycoplasma blood infection has been detected in about 50% of patients with CFS and/or FMS, including patients with Gulf War illnesses and symptoms that overlap with one or both syndromes.
Such infection is detected in only about 10% of healthy individuals, significantly less than in patients. Most patients with CFS/FMS who have mycoplasma infection appear to recover and reach their pre-illness state after long-term antibiotic therapy with doxycycline, and the infection can not be detected after recovery.
By means of causation and therapy, mycoplasma blood infection may permit a further subclassification of CFS and FMS. It is not clear whether mycoplasmas are associated with CFS/FMS as causal agents, cofactors, or opportunistic infections in patients with immune disturbances. Whether mycoplasma infection can be detected in about 50% of all patient populations with CFS and/or FMS is yet to be determined.
Doctor Speedy and ME in search of medical honesty
Doxycycline and methylation has been the most helpful therapies for me by far.
ReplyDeleteI think most with CFS think it's all a bunch of reactivated viruses. Perhaps this is a major factor for some or many, but from my perspective, it seems to be that chronic bacterial infections are more often than not ignored by CFS doctors.
Maybe many don't have chronic bacterial infections and viral issues are their main problem, but I really think suffer from chronic bacterial infections especially when I read posts about how somebody couldn't tolerate antibiotics for something minor - like a sinus infection. They label it as "side effects".
I really think "protecting the flora" is a bit of an oxymoron too, since the bad flora seems to be what is in control. But of course, there can be consequences to long term antimicrobial therapy, and good probiotics are an absolute must!
Mycoplasma has long been associated with Lyme Disease infections in fact Eva Sapi found ticks in her research also had mycoplasma.
ReplyDeleteOf course long term antibiotics would help with both these infections so this is yet more research that should encourage patients with ME/CFS to do further investigation into the cause being bacterial.
With Lyme antibiotics can produce a herxhimer reaction which is a worsening of symptoms due to die off producing toxins this is often mistaken for an alergic reaction to the antibiotics. Eventually the herx passes and as the treatment continues symptoms can improve with dips about 4 weekly.
I could go on and on but google Burrascano Guidelines or see www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk