Rickettsial infection:
The search for an infection as the cause of MS has been confounded, because no single infection has been shown to be linked to every case of MS, and MS is not contagious.
Perhaps the search for a single causative agent is misguided. It is possible that in susceptible individuals, one or more chronic infections of many different types could cause the symptoms of MS.
In this case, provided the organism is able to persist within the cells of the body (including the brain and spinal cord), triggering a chronic immune response, any candidate organism might potentially cause MS. Epstein Barr Virus, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Borrelia (Lyme Disease) Mycoplasma, and Rickettsia are just some of the organisms that may be involved.
In the future, treatment for MS may start with a comprehensive search in the individual’s body for organisms that are known to cause chronic low-level infection, with efforts then being made to boost the body’s immune response, and to initiate antimicrobial pharmaceutical treatments (antibiotics, antivirals, hyperthermia) to eradicate or manage the infection(s). In that case, early intervention could be critical, before scarring occurs in the CNS.
The Rickettsial connection: Several researchers have linked Rickettsial infection to Multiple Sclerosis. The following links explore some of those connections.
Links:
This document outlines some research done in the 1960’s with several patients who also had various Rickettsial infections. Following treatment with antibiotics, the patients apparently returned to their normal activity:
http://www.davidwheldon.co.uk/Le%20Gac.pdf
The home page of Cecile Jadin, a doctor in South Africa who specialises in the treatment of chronic fatigue. Dr Jadin notes that chronic fatigue often progresses to MS, and has connected Rickettsial infections to both illnesses:
http://cecilejadin.info/index.html
This page outlines the connection between Rickettsial infection and neurological conditions:
http://cecilejadin.info/2/post/2012/06/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit1.html
These two documents explain in detail how Rickettsial infection can cause chronically fatiguing and neurological illness:
http://lassesen.com/cfids/documents/JADIN_Rickettsial.pdf
http://showme.co.za/cape-town/files/2014/05/rickettsia-patients-booklet.pdf
Australia has several types of Rickettsia. The Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory notes on this page the scientific support for the connection between Rickettsial infection and chronic fatigue. The connection between Rickettsial infection and MS is not noted on this page. To the extent that a person’s MS is presenting with chronic fatigue and exercise intolerance, it may be well worth investigating whether there has been exposure to Q Fever and Rickettsia:
http://www.rickettsialab.org.au/#!__page-7/diagnostic-services
The chronic catabolic state in MS
The search for an infection as the cause of MS has been confounded, because no single infection has been shown to be linked to every case of MS, and MS is not contagious.
Perhaps the search for a single causative agent is misguided. It is possible that in susceptible individuals, one or more chronic infections of many different types could cause the symptoms of MS.
In this case, provided the organism is able to persist within the cells of the body (including the brain and spinal cord), triggering a chronic immune response, any candidate organism might potentially cause MS. Epstein Barr Virus, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Borrelia (Lyme Disease) Mycoplasma, and Rickettsia are just some of the organisms that may be involved.
In the future, treatment for MS may start with a comprehensive search in the individual’s body for organisms that are known to cause chronic low-level infection, with efforts then being made to boost the body’s immune response, and to initiate antimicrobial pharmaceutical treatments (antibiotics, antivirals, hyperthermia) to eradicate or manage the infection(s). In that case, early intervention could be critical, before scarring occurs in the CNS.
The Rickettsial connection: Several researchers have linked Rickettsial infection to Multiple Sclerosis. The following links explore some of those connections.
Links:
This document outlines some research done in the 1960’s with several patients who also had various Rickettsial infections. Following treatment with antibiotics, the patients apparently returned to their normal activity:
http://www.davidwheldon.co.uk/Le%20Gac.pdf
The home page of Cecile Jadin, a doctor in South Africa who specialises in the treatment of chronic fatigue. Dr Jadin notes that chronic fatigue often progresses to MS, and has connected Rickettsial infections to both illnesses:
http://cecilejadin.info/index.html
This page outlines the connection between Rickettsial infection and neurological conditions:
http://cecilejadin.info/2/post/2012/06/post-title-click-and-type-to-edit1.html
These two documents explain in detail how Rickettsial infection can cause chronically fatiguing and neurological illness:
http://lassesen.com/cfids/documents/JADIN_Rickettsial.pdf
http://showme.co.za/cape-town/files/2014/05/rickettsia-patients-booklet.pdf
Australia has several types of Rickettsia. The Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory notes on this page the scientific support for the connection between Rickettsial infection and chronic fatigue. The connection between Rickettsial infection and MS is not noted on this page. To the extent that a person’s MS is presenting with chronic fatigue and exercise intolerance, it may be well worth investigating whether there has been exposure to Q Fever and Rickettsia:
http://www.rickettsialab.org.au/#!__page-7/diagnostic-services
The chronic catabolic state in MS