CFIDS, Epstein Barr, Gluten connection

[Guest guest]

Since I mentioned that my celiac doctor said my 1988 diagnosed Chronic

Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) was actually " celiac syndrome " I

thought I'd include an excerpt from a textbook I'm reading today. I hope

that anyone who knows someone with CFIDS will suggest that they get checked

for gluten intolerance as it might make a big difference to them later. (I

wish I'd known earlier,before there was so much damage to the villi!)

I need to point out that scientists and doctors originally thought that what

we all had in the 80's was caused by the Epstein Barr virus. They later

discounted it but no one really knows for sure. That's why I thought the

following was rather interesting...

~Robin

" Cloned Mucosal T-lymphocytes:

The recent development of techniques for isolating and cloning T-lymphocytes

from celiac mucosa has been a major advance in furthering our understanding

of gene (DQ2-transfected Epstein Barr virus -- transformed B-lymphocytes),

peptide, and lymphocyte interactions. Such techniques bring gluten

sensitivity into the test-tube, and provide the opportunity for rapid

appraisal of gene mutations and for residue substitutions in known active

oligopeptides. The signal observation that mucosal transglutimase has a high

affinity for gliadin peptides residues is a very recent, but exciting

observation whose biological significance still requires elucidation.

Clinically, the formation of " antiendomysial " antibodies to tissue

transglutimase enzymes has revolutionized the clinical approach to

diagnosis, especially in recognizing patients in the compensated-latent

phase, and even with nongastrointestinal manifestations. "

Page 6 " Celiac Disease " ed. Marsh MD,DSc,FRCP copyright 2000

And by the way, there's a pretty comprehensive little description of CFIDS

at:

http://www.answers.com/topic/chronic-fatigue-syndrome