Mycoplasma blood infection in chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia syndromes.

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.

• Authors: Gerhard K M Endresen
• Journal: Rheumatology international (Rheumatol Int) Vol. 23 Issue 5 Pg. 211-5 (Sep 2003) ISSN: 0172-8172 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 12879275 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Doxycycline

Topics

• Anti-Bacterial Agents (therapeutic use)
• Bacteremia (complications, drug therapy)
• Doxycycline (therapeutic use)
• Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic (classification, complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Mycoplasma (isolation & purification)
• Mycoplasma Infections (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Persian Gulf Syndrome (complications, drug therapy)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction