CDC To Launch Study on Unexplained Illness

[Why Syzygy]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in conjunction with Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California Division of Research launched a study to learn about an unexplained skin condition known as Morgellons. Persons who suffer from this condition report a range of symptoms including non-healing skin lesions associated with the emergence of fibers or solid material from the skin, abnormal skin sensations (such as stinging and biting or pins and needles) and non-cutaneous symptoms such as difficulty concentrating and short-term memory loss. Researchers hope to learn more about who might be affected, what symptoms they experience, and factors that may contribute to their illness.

"We earnestly want to learn more about this unexplained illness which impacts the lives of those who suffer from it," said Dr. Michele Pearson, principal investigator leading the study for CDC. "Those who suffer have questions, and we want to help them."

CDC will identify patients in Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California Health Plan to enroll in the study. The Kaiser Permanente Division of Research was awarded a $338,000 contract to assist CDC in this investigation because of the organization’s location in a geographic area where self-reported cases are concentrated, the size of the patient population to draw from (Kaiser Permanente covers approximately 30 percent of the Northern California population), and its ability to systematically identify Kaiser Permanente patients who may have this unexplained illness.

http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2008/r080116.htm?s_cid=mediarel_r080116_x

Persons who suffer from this condition report a range of coetaneous symptoms including crawling, biting and stinging sensations; granules, threads or black speck-like materials on or beneath the skin; and/or skin lesions (e.g., rashes or sores) and some sufferers also report systemic manifestations such as fatigue, mental confusion, short term memory loss, joint pain, and changes in vision"
http://www.morgellons.org/

[Avalux]

1. It's called delusional parasitosis.

And the beauty of the internet has enabled it to morph into a mass psychogenic illness. There is absolutely NO diagnostic evidence that Morgellons is an actual disease. Systemic conditions of fatigue, mental confusion, etc. correlate to delusional parasitosis.

It's a great idea to embark on a natural history study - Morgellons can and should be disproved so people don't keep thinking it's real.

[Why Syzygy]

3. How do these delusional people

get fibers that are unknown to modern science growing out of their skin? That's some pretty heavy duty "delusion"!

[Avalux]

7. Here's some info:

http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic939.htm

As I stated above, there is no dignostic evidence of a causative agent. NONE.

[greyl]

2. Morgellonswatch.com is a much better site than morgellons.org.

Morgellons Recap, for the CDC

"The CDC is investigating not because the evidence indicates that there is something going on, but rather because of the intense political pressure and media campaigns orchestrated by the Morgellons Research Foundation. This is very unusual.

[Why Syzygy]

4. "unusual"

being the reason I posted it.

[greyl]

9. I understand. :) nt

[kimmerspixelated]

5. I don't have a link, but

I had read that this was a direct result of eating genetically modified foods! Which wouldn't surprise me a bit! More franken-furter science!

[Orrex]

10. Perhaps you'd care to share your hypothesis with us?

If it wouldn't surprise you a bit to learn than an unsubstantiated malady is the result of ill-substantiated fears about gm foods, then surely you must have some basic framework of your hypothesis already formulated.

I'd love to hear it!

[varkam]

11. Easy: GM = teh evil.

Simple enough for you?

[Orrex]

13. Hell. I'm convinced

Down with GM!

[varkam]

12. Newsflash: We eat GM foods all the time

though alleged cases of this disease are few and far between.

[Orrex]

14. It doesn't mean anything unless you reply with a pic of a Godzilla monster

[Mojorabbit]

6. Either way

I am glad they are taking a look at it.

[shireen]

8. interesting, first I've heard of it

Don't know what to make of it, but glad the CDC is investigating.

Not long ago, fibromyalgia was regarded with great skepticism. Now, it accepted as a real medical condition.

Some of the skin sensations described could be neurologic in origin. I've had similar problems, that became quite severe, that are being successfully treated with Lyrica.