Hi all, received this today from an ezine that I subscribe to,
www.drmirkin.comHere it is:
"Women are three times more likely than men to develop lupus, multiple sclerosis, or rheumatoid arthritis, currently thought to be autoimmune diseases that are caused by a person's immunity attacking her own body, instead of doing its job of killing germs. This increased risk may be caused in some way by the process of pregnancy, or it may be due to the fact that women are twice as likely as men to become infected with a sexually transmitted disease and 10 times more likely to become infected with HIV. See report #G144 on mycoplasma, chlamydia and ureaplasma.
Several papers have shown that multiple sclerosis may be caused by infection with human herpes-6 (39,40), lupus by parvovirus B-19 (27,38) and rheumatoid arthritis by mycoplasma (2-26).
People with autoimmune diseases usually have proteins called antibodies that attach to and damage a person's own body proteins and cells, rather than attaching to and killing known germs that enter the body. For example, antinuclear antibodies, double-stranded DNA antibodies and anticardiolipin antibodies are often fond in people who have lupus and the rheumatoid factor is found in rheumatoid arthritis. These autoantibodies can be caused by infections with Hepatitis B and C viruses, the human immunodeficiency virus, and parvovirus B19 (1,38). Several papers have suggested that rheumatoid arthritis may be caused by mycoplasma bacteria (2-26), lupus by parvovirus B19 (27), Crohn's disease by bacteroides and klebsiella bacteria (28-37), and multiple sclerosis by HHS-6 and JC viruses (39,40) and many doctors are treating rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease with antibiotics. Future studies will show if these autoimmune diseases are really caused by infections." Dear Calimity Jane:
I am very impressed with your knowledge of autoimmune diseases and have some questions for you if you don't mind. I am a 56 yr old man, immune depressed, who developed a strange rash in January 09. My dermatologist suspected lupus and my Elisa came back as such. However when I was referred to a rheumatologist his findings which were complicated and intricate tests done at the local University, concluded a false positive. Relieved, I still have been dealing with this rash to this day. My endocrinologist sees no connection as my thyroid functions are normal. And my nephrologist said, even though my kidneys are functioning at a moderate level, he sees no correlation to a rash.
My derm took three biopsies, one showing folliculitus which was taken from this initial rash which is on my upper chest neck and beard area. Also effecting my shoulders now. And another taken shortly after on my back which showed Grover's. In her mind they are completely seperate of each other. The latest biopsy on my initial rash on my upper chest showed follicular distress, especially with an unusually high amount of white blood cells at its base. It is my idea, as my derms, this could be an auto immune type situation, I think they call it auto immune reconstitution.
I saw an allergist/immunologist, although nice, my case seemed to complicated, and he was not helpful. It does seem from the presentation on my neck, upper neck, beard, and upper back, symptoms that my CD 4s are over reacting and my body is sending too many white blood cells to site causing all this inflammation.
I know this is rather vague, but since this is a public site, I don't want to get into a whole lot of specifics, but thought you may have some ideas of if indeed this is autoimmune related, if there is a particular type of physician I should see who I haven't, and if there is a medication I should be on.
I'm kind of at my wit's end..... I should underscore this I have made very healthy diet changes, and exercise regularly. But have been under some stress lately.
Thanks for any opinions you might have,
SeattleJeff
