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Mike Bartolatz
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interesting reading

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just a new article to anyone interested
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03/27/00 New studies to begin on Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at the Institute for Molecular Medicine and International Molecular Diagnostics.



The IMM has been working with pediatricians who have patients with Autism and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to determine a causal connection between the signs and symptoms suffered by these patients and chronic infections caused by mycoplasmas or other chronic infectious pathogens. Mycoplasmas are microscopic microorganisms similar to bacteria but without a rigid cell wall, and the pathogenic forms of these microorganisms can penetrate into cells and enter the Central Nervous System. Some species of mycoplasmas do not cause human disease , but recently several species of mycoplasma have been shown to cause disease, and when such mycoplasma species are found in the blood, they should be treated just like any other bacterial blood infection. The species of mycoplasma that we have found are present in high incidence in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Gulf War Illness, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other autoimmune diseases where they cause system-wide or systemic infections that invade virtually every tissue in the body and can compromise the immune system, permitting opportunistic infections by viruses, bacteria, fungi and yeast. The signs and symptoms of patients with multiple chronic infections can be quite complex, and each patient tends to have their own unique set of problems.



Recently we have found that Autistic children show high incidence of systemic mycoplasmal infections. Similarly, in children with ADHD, we have found an alarming rate of mycoplasmal infections approaching one-half of cases. In addition to their association with Autism and ADHD, systemic mycoplasmal infections can cause chronic fatigue, reoccurring fevers, night sweats, joint and muscle pains, stomach upsets and cramps, diarrhea, breathing problems, sleep disturbances, sinus congestion/pain, headaches, skin rashes, kidney pain, dizziness, nausea, short term memory loss, vision problems, such as light sensitivity, blurred vision, hair loss, urination problems, eye pain, heart and thyroid problems and in extreme cases autoimmune-like disorders, abnormal allergic responses, peculiar neurological symptoms, heart abnormalities, respiratory ailments, gastric discomforts ranging from ulcers to irritable bowel syndrome, and in extreme instances encephalitis and/or meningitis. Mycoplasmal infections can start as respiratory infections or post-vaccination illnesses that cause a flu-like illness that progresses to a systemic condition.



We are having success in recommending treatment of CFS, FMS, GWI and Rheumatoid Arthritis patients with antibiotics, such as doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, azithromycin and Biaxin with immune support and dietary supplements. Unfortunately, most children are too young to take strong antibiotics, with the exception of azithromycin which has been shown to pediatric safe. Children over the age of 7 can take low-dose doxycycline or low-dose Biaxin. Children with Autism and ADHD and confirmed diagnosis of systemic mycoplasmal infections have been successfully treated for these conditions with antibiotics, immune support, and dietary supplements with vitamins and minerals (see Treatment Considerations section of this website). IMM now wants to expand these data.



The IMM recommends that it would be prudent for children with Autism and/or ADHD to be tested for mycoplasmal infections at our certified reference diagnostic laboratory, International Molecular Diagnostics, Inc (www.imd-lab.com) (or Tel: 714-799-7177, ext. 202) and to treat such mycoplasmal infections when they are found in the blood.



For further information contact:



Prof. Garth Nicolson (gnicimm@ix.netcom.com)

President & Chief Scientific Officer

The Institute for Molecular Medicine



For children with CFS, Autism or ADHD, The Institute for Molecular Medicine suggests the following tests (codes follow IMD or CPT codes):

1. Panel 1007 (CPT: 87798, 87581)--Mycoplasma species panel of four pathogenic mycoplasmas (M. fermentans, M. penumoniae, M. hominis, M. penetrans) by PCR. Justification: Many autistic, ADHD or CFS pediatric patients have one or more intracellular, systemic mycoplasmal infections similar to those found in a variety of chronic illnesses [Nicolson et al. Mycoplasmal infections in chronic illnesses: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndromes, Gulf War Illness, HIV-AIDS and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Med Sentinel 1999; 5:172-176]. Ultrasensitive and ultraspecific mycoplasma tests can only be done by a small number of labs, most university or government labs that have been trained by us under a U.S. government contract. Specimen Requirements: one (1) 5 cc Lavender top Plastic Tube (EDTA). The blood is collected, immediately mixed and placed on ice, then shipped on wet ice (domestic) or immediately flash frozen and shipped with dry ice by air courier (foreign shipments) to IMD to arrive within 24-36 hours. Cost=$250 (Note that other commercial labs charge $400-600)

2. Test 00873 (CPT: 8717 -- Chlamydia species by PCR. Justification: Many patients have this systemic infection along with viral infection(s). We were among the few labs that developed the molecular tests that are now done for this type of infection. The other labs that use these procedures are university labs. Specimen Requirements: one (1) 5 cc Lavender top Plastic Tube (EDTA). The blood is collected, immediately mixed and placed on ice, then shipped on wet ice (domestic) or immediately flash frozen and shipped with dry ice (foreign shipments) by air courier to IMD to arrive within 24-36 hours. Cost=$180 (Note that other commercial labs charge $200-250)

3. Test 87532 (CPT: 87532)—HHV-6A test by PCR. Justification: Many patients have this systemic infection, and it should be tested for in any autoimmune illness. Specimen Requirements: Collect blood in one (1) 5 cc Lavender Top Plasma Tubes (EDTA), mixed and separate blood plasma by centrifugation. The plasma is then shipped on wet ice (domestic) or immediately flash frozen and shipped with dry ice (foreign shipments) by air courier to IMD to arrive within 24-36 hours. Cost=$180 (Note that other commercial labs charge $200-300)

The Institute for Molecular Medicine suggests that the above PCR speciality tests be ordered for patients through International Molecular Diagnostics, Inc., 15162 Triton Lane, Huntington Beach, CA 92649 USA. Tel: 714-799-7177, ext. 202 (Client Services) or ext. 204 (Brant Blasingame). Order forms and additional information are available upon request. The IMD website is www.imd-lab.com.

Prof. Garth Nicolson
President & Chief Scientific Officer,
The Institute for Molecular Medicine
Professor of Internal Medicine
Mike Bartolatz
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