Morgellon's anyone?

[Guest guest]

I was wondering if anyone has heard of Morgellon's; a skin parasite? I

heard about it on the radio today; and thought I would pass on the

information.

http://MORGELLONS.org/

The Morgellons Research Foundation is a grassroots organization dedicated to

finding the cause of an increasingly prevalent skin disease which mimics

scabies and lice.

The greatest number of reports of this disease have come from California,

Texas, and Florida.  Several distinct " cluster " areas of this disease have

been noted (in order of cluster density) near Los Angeles, San Francisco,

Houston, Dallas, and Long Island.

This skin disease is believed to be caused by an organism which has been

difficult to identify, but appears to occur in individuals whose immune

systems have been altered by Lyme Disease, better known as Borreliosis.

We are attempting to identify this organism and determine how it is able to

cause the intense physical sensations which are often interpreted

as crawling, stinging, and biting. These bug-like sensations are the more

disturbing symptoms of this disease.

Most people with this disease report non-healing skin lesions which are

associated with highly unusual structures.  These structures, which can be

described as fiber-like or filamentous, are the most striking feature of

this disease.  The filamentous structures, which we will refer to as

" fibers " , are often misinterpreted by some individuals as worms; however

light and scanning electron microscopy has demonstrated that no worms,

nematodes, microfilaria, insects, mites, or what might be referred to as

" parasites "  are directly associated with these fibers. 

This skin disease is believed to be caused by an organism which has been

difficult to identify, but appears to occur in individuals whose immune

systems have been altered by Lyme Disease, better known as Borreliosis.

We are attempting to identify this organism and determine how it is able to

cause the intense physical sensations which are often interpreted

as crawling, stinging, and biting. These bug-like sensations are the more

disturbing symptoms of this disease.

Most people with this disease report non-healing skin lesions which are

associated with highly unusual structures.  These structures, which can be

described as fiber-like or filamentous, are the most striking feature of

this disease.  The filamentous structures, which we will refer to as

" fibers " , are often misinterpreted by some individuals as worms; however

light and scanning electron microscopy has demonstrated that no worms,

nematodes, microfilaria, insects, mites, or what might be referred to as

" parasites "  are directly associated with these fibers. 

A high percentage of our members report the following: Chronic Fatigue

Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia (Myalgic Encephalopathy or ME), " brainfog " or

cognitive decline, ADHD, mood disorders, sleep disorders, joint swelling and

pain, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral edema, visual decline,

neurological decline, hair loss, autoimmune disease, dyspnea (difficulty

breathing), and asthma.  Many also report a hardening or thickening of skin.

Many have been tested for autoimmune disease and have been seen to

have varying levels of a speckled pattern ANA (Antinuclear antibodies).

Some of the symptoms and physical structures associated with this disease

are very unusual and may lead physicians to assume that the patient is

misinterpreting their situation. Nearly ALL adults with the symptoms of this

skin disease, have received a diagnosis of DOP, or Delusional Parasitosis.

This glaring misdiagnosis by clinicians is one of the most significant

problems with this emerging disease.  Physicians who have misdiagnosed

people suffering from this skin disease with Delusional Parasitosis, appear

to have a difficult time listening to the obvious clues that their patients

are giving them.

Fifteen physicians in the U.S. are currently treating patients with this

baffling skin disease.  These physicians are trying to decide on the best

medical management of their patients, while scientists identify the skin

pathogen related to the Borreliosis.

Over one hundred people with this skin disease have tested positive for

Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), the bacteria which causes Lyme Disease. The

working hypothesis of this foundation is that an infection with Borrelia

burgdorferi (Bb) may alter the individual's immune system and allow this

unknown organism to become an opportunistic co-infection.

A working hypothesis is subject to change as research continues and facts

emerge.  Objective scientists form new hypotheses when old ones are no

longer supported by current research findings.

Physicians and scientists are beginning to investigate the lesions of people

with this disease. The fibers from the lesions are being studied to

determine their origin.

This foundation has received no funding and has done this research based on

the kindness of scientists, laboratories, physicians, and individuals

concerned about this public health fiasco.

The unknown fibers associated with skin lesions can be described as

coenocytic (aseptate), smooth-walled, branching, filamentous objects.  The

fibers have been analyzed by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy)

and have been identified as cellulose.  Since true fungi are not able to

synthesize cellulose, we are currently focused on the Oomycetes class of

fungus-like organisms, as well as other filamentous organisms which have the

cellulose synthetase gene.

We are unclear if this unknown organism is an Oomycete, but are intrigued by

certain features of this class such as Coenocytic mycelium and cellulose

synthesis.  Pythium insidiosum is the only Oomycete we are aware of, which

has been documented to cause human infections. Again, the structures

associated with this unknown skin pathogen are very curious and do NOT fit

the descriptions of any of the known Oomycetes. The cause of this skin

disease remains elusive.

Although we realize the importance of the scientific discoveries which will

enable us to understand the disease process, we believe that educating the

public about this disease is a critical step in allowing people to

understand what is happening to their bodies.

We want people with this disease to know that they are not imagining their

symptoms. The symptoms may not be understood, but they are real.

The Morgellons Research Foundation will support scientists in discovering

critical information about the cause, prevention, and treatment of this

disease.