CFS & Gulf War Syndrome

[PlateletGal]

Hi Prof. Nicolson,

As you already know, I am currently being treated for mycoplasma infection and having success. Treatment is very slow, but I am noticing improvements along the way and so is my specialist. My blood pressure has now stabilized and I rarely have the tachycardia anymore. Also.. my hormones are adjusting and for the first time in many years, I have normal monthly cycles.

I wanted to ask you about the similarities between CFS and Gulf War Syndrome. I've read that Dr. Nancy Klimas, a noted immunologist and world leader in CFS/FM/Gulf War Syndrome research and treatment, is doing a big genomics study analyzing the role of gene expression patterns in the symptoms of Gulf War Illness compared to ME/CFS. What has your research found on these two illnesses ? I know that the majority of CFS and GWS patients test positive for high-frequency mycoplasma infections. Are there any other similarities with these two "syndromes" ?

[Garth L Nicolson, PhD]

Although we have not much in terms of gene expression, we have conducted several studies on the role of chronic infections in GWI and similarities in signs/symptoms between GWI patients, their symptomatic family members and CFS in general.  This led us to propose many years before it became fashionable that GWI was a fatiguing illness similar to CFS.  About one-half of GWI cases have Mycoplasma fermentans infections, and this is the same infection that is passed to immediate family members who become symptomatic after the GWI patient returned to the home.  Some also have other infections, such as Y. pestis, Brucella species, etc. but the numbers are much, much lower than M. fermentans infections.

Your cardiac condition is interesting, because M. fermentans can cause endocarditis and myocarditis, or infections of the heart.  When we found young (less than age 25) GW veterans with heart conditions, these were almost always associated with M. fermentans infections.  Importantly, appropriate antibiotic treatment resulted in partial or complete recovery in these patients and complete or partial return of heart function. ProfGN

[Garth L Nicolson, PhD]

It is important to remember that the recovery is slow and gradual.  Don't get cocky and physically overdo it too soon, because it will likely cause a crash (relapse).  Keep to your recovery diet and get lots of sleep. ProfGN

[PlateletGal]

Thank you so much for your response and taking the time to be here today. I am grateful for the research that you and your team have done, as I am slowly, but surely making progress with this treatment.