Comment on: The course of severe chronic fatigue syndrome in childhood. [J R Soc Med. 2000]
This comment is about the genetic condition, osteoarthritis. You can read the full comment here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1298053/pdf/10911845.pdf
Source: Sweetman BJ. Chronic fatigue syndrome in mother and child. J R Soc Med. 2000 Jun;93(6):337-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1298053/
Abstract:
This article reviews the current literature on childhood fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. In doing so, it questions assumptions about the presumed nature of the disorders-that they are distinct from each other and are duplicates of their adult counterparts. It also attempts to synthesize the available data to reach some preliminary judgments about these disorders: that fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome may be related in children and may not be duplicates of the adult disorders; that psychological and psychosocial factors are unlikely contributors to the etiology of these disorders; and that the evidence is increasingly pointing to a role for genetic factors in their etiology. A discussion of the research into treatments for childhood fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome highlights the lack of well-designed, controlled studies. Finally, directions for future research are offered where results of the current literature are unclear.
Source: Breau LM, McGrath PJ, Ju LH. Review of juvenile primary fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1999 Aug;20(4):278-88. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10475602
Abstract:
The sensitizing properties of metals widely used in medical and dental care have been studied with the help of an optimized lymphocyte proliferative assay, MELISA. MELISA (memory lymphocyte immuno-stimulation assay) was originally developed for the screening of allergenic epitopes of drugs and other chemicals of low molecular weight, but has recently been adapted for the study of metal-induced sensitization.
The patients studied suffered from various oral mucosal problems which were suspected to be caused by the release of metal ions from dental restorations. They were also troubled by chronic fatigue persisting over many years. One patient was also occupationally exposed to metals while working in a dental practice. Healthy subjects without any discomfort due to metal devices served as controls. In addition to metals used in dentistry, lymphocyte responses to organic mercurials used widely as preservatives in vaccines, eye/nose drops and contact lense fluids were studied.
The results indicated that mercurials, as well as other metals such as gold or palladium, induce strong lymphocyte proliferative responses in patients with oral or systemic symptoms, but not in similarly exposed unaffected subjects.
The results of MELISA performed with a pair of identical twins with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) indicated that metal-specific responses may be dependent on the genetics of the patient. Thus, many metals that are today accepted for use in medicine and dentistry carry a definite sensitizing risk for certain genetically predisposed individuals. Therefore, the use of these metals should be limited in the future.
Source: Stejskal VD, Cederbrant K, Lindvall A, Forsbeck M. MELISA-an in vitro tool for the study of metal allergy. Toxicol In Vitro. 1994 Oct;8(5):991-1000. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20693060