CIDPUSA.org Autoimmune diseases

The Hidden Epidemic-Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, and Ureaplasma

Late-Onset Asthma May Be Caused by Infection

A recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association reviews articles showing that asthma that starts after puberty can be caused by an infection. At the 37th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy in Toronto, papers were presented showing that mycoplasma is a common cause of pneumonia in young adults and children, a common cause for meningitis, nerve damage, heart and muscle infection, (myocarditis) and arthritis, and a common cause of asthma in young adults. One paper showed that a significant number of young adults who develop asthma caused by mycoplasma fail to develop antibodies to kill that bacteria, so they continue to be infected for the rest of their lives. Another paper showed that another intracellular bacteria called ureaplasma is a common cause of asthma in young children. Since practicing physicians usually do not have an available laboratory test to find chlamydia, ureaplasma and mycoplasma, doctors should consider prescribing antibiotics for some people with persistent wheezing and coughing (azithromycin, clarithromysin, dirithromycin, minocycline or doxycycline).

Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

means that a previously healthy person develops unexplained exhaustion, fatigue and muscle aches and pains that last for more that six months; all blood tests are normal and doctors can't find a cause. One recent report shows that a large number of people who were diagnosed with having fibromyalgia really had polymyalgia rheumatica, which does have abnormal blood tests. A recent report shows that many sufferers have low spinal fluid levels of vitamin B12 can be treated with 1000 mcg of B12 each day. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia should be made only after all other causes have been ruled out. Many infections can cause fatigue and muscle pain.

The evaluation should include tests for infectious diseases; such as Lyme disease and Hepatitis B or C, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis or the helicobacter that causes stomach ulcers; autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis; hidden cancers such as those of the breast and prostate; hormonal diseases such as low thyroid; or side effects from a medication or illicit drug. Around 20 percent will be depressed. Most people miss work and complain of illness long before their diagnosis, but the majority will not have a known cause.

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