usedtobeperkytina
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I have
I have another news reporter interested in an XMRV / CFS story. This would be the largest circulation newspaper in the state. I would love to send a link to this, but it is not presentable. But I summarized the parts in this that are new, that is not previously known. Someone commended me for summing things up before. So here is my version of this. (Please understand, if it is old news or I don't understand it, it is not included)
Tina
I have another news reporter interested in an XMRV / CFS story. This would be the largest circulation newspaper in the state. I would love to send a link to this, but it is not presentable. But I summarized the parts in this that are new, that is not previously known. Someone commended me for summing things up before. So here is my version of this. (Please understand, if it is old news or I don't understand it, it is not included)
- The virus infects Natural Killer cells. Yet Natural Killer cells also kill other cells that are infected with the virus. Mikovits experimented with a medicine that increases the ability of Natural Killer cells to kill other diseased cells. This is in response to a question as to whether neutraceuticals for increasing replication of Natural Killer cells would be advisable as a treatment for those who have XMRV, if it would increase XMRV replication because it lives in those cells.
- Based on the type of retrovirus XMRV is, it is likely more transmissible between people as compared to HIV. They have found the virus in the saliva and prostate secretions. Based on evidence seen, Mikovits' theory is that it is the most stable human retrovirus to date. But no retroviruses are transmitted through the air. If the hypothesis is found to be true, then this would explain the fact that CFS often occurs in "outbreaks" or "clusters" and also occurs sporadically.
- MS drugs to calm the immune system may help to prevent XMRV from spreading or replicating in infected person.
- XMRV is a C-type retrovirus, which in animals can cause disease in brain without causing the immune system dysfunction. This brings up the question if XMRV could be causing CFS in some individuals and other neurological diseases in others who don't have CFS.
- "I am extremely optimistic that treatment of XMRV or its immune targets will restore at least 85% of the original health status even in the sickest of the sick," said Mikovits. She is basing that on the lesser impact XMRV has on immune system and the success seen in HIV treatment. But, concerning HIV, she said, "...its (XMRV) effects on the immune system are more subtle." (my note- this would explain why we don't die but just have chronic illness with good days and bad days.)
- The only immune system abnormality that shows up in 100% of people with XMRV is decrease in interferon alpha.
- XMRV is gammaretrovirus which can be transmitted through breast milk. Studies suggest that lactating moms express more XMRV in breast milk.
- Mikovits is finding some are culture positive for XMRV but antibody negative. This suggests that immune therapy including antibody therapy may be helpful in the disease.
- They are finding some with Lyme disease also have XMRV. The theory is that Lyme is a co-infection.
- It is important to stop replication of XMRV early after infection, so it doesn't get into longer-living cells where it may be altering the gene expressions of that cell. Since the cell is long-living, it isn't replaced by healthy ones. Once in that cell's DNA, the damage is done.
Tina