For chronic illnesses (CFS, FMS, RA, Lupus, neurodegenerative diseases, among other illnesses) that could have an infectious component, The Institute for Molecular Medicine suggests the following lab tests (codes are CPT codes or test description/ordering codes):

1. Mycoplasma Test Panel (CPT: 87581)—Mycoplasma species tested by PCR. This is a Mycoplasma test on over 20 Mycoplasma species. Alternatively, the most common species of Mycoplasma (M. pneumoniae, M. ferementans, M. hominis, M. genitalium, M. penetrans) can also be ordered as individual tests. Justification: Almost 60% of CFS/FMS and 50% of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and 50% other autoimmune patients have one or more intracellular, systemic mycoplasmal infections similar to those found in a variety of chronic illnesses [Nicolson et al. Mycoplasmal infections in chronic illnesses: Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndromes, Gulf War Illness, HIV-AIDS and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Medical Sentinel 1999; 5: 172-176]. Ultrasensitive and ultraspecific mycoplasma tests can only be done by a small number of labs. Recommended Labs: Clongen Laboratories, 12321 Middlebrook Road #120, Germantown, MD 20874; Tel: 301-916-0175; Fax: 301-916-0175; customer support: cs@clongen.com (Test description and order forms can be downloaded directly from their site: http://www.clongen.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=94) Spiro Stat Technologies, 1004 Garfield Dr., Bld 340, Lubbock, TX 79416; Tel: 806-885-2929, Fax: 806-885-2933, Specimen Requirements: Contact laboratory for a specimen kit and instructions for shipment. We recommend overnight courier shipment.

2. Chlamydia pneumoniae Test (CPT: 87486)—Chlamydia pneumoniae tested by PCR. Justification: Many CFS, FMS, MS, RA and other patients have this systemic infection along with viral infection(s). We were among the few labs that developed the molecular tests that are now done for this type of infection. Recommended Lab: Clongen Laboratories, 12321 Middlebrook Road #120, Germantown, MD 20874; Tel: 301-916-0175; Fax: 301-916-0175; customer support: cs@clongen.com (Test description and order forms can be downloaded directly from their site: http://www.clongen.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=94) Specimen Requirements: Contact laboratory for a specimen kit. Samples should be sent by overnight courier.

3. Lyme Borrelia burgdorferi Test (CPT: 86617)—Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease) by Western Blot analysis. Justification: Many CFS, FMS and RA patients have this systemic infection (diagnosed as Lyme Disease) along with other co-infection(s) (Nicolson et al. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients subsequently diagnosed with Lyme Disease Borrelia burgdorferi: evidence for Mycoplasma species co-infections. J Chronic Fatigue Syndr 2008; 14(4):5-17.
Recommended Lab: IGeneX Laboratories of Palo Alto, CA (http://www.igenex.com/). Specimen Requirements: Contact laboratory for a specimen kit. Collect in Red Top Tube, separate, and send in clear tube. Store in Refrigerator until shipment. Ship within one day of collection at Room Temperature.

4. HHV-6 Test (CPT: 87532)—Human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) test by PCR. Justification: Many CFS and some FMS patients have this systemic viral infection, and it should be tested for in any autoimmune illness (Nicolson et al. Multiple co-infections (Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Human Herpesvirus-6) in blood of chronic fatigue syndrome patients: association with signs and symptoms. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand 2003; 111: 557-566). Recommended Lab: Clongen Laboratories, 12321 Middlebrook Road #120, Germantown, MD 20874; Tel: 301-916-0175; Fax: 301-916-0175; customer support: cs@clongen.com (Test description and order forms can be downloaded directly from their site: http://www.clongen.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=94) Specimen Requirements: Contact laboratory for a specimen kit. Samples should be sent by overnight courier.

5. CMV Test 07034 (CPT: 87496)—Cytomegalovirus (CMV) test by PCR. Justification: Many CFS and FMS patients have this systemic viral infection, and it should be tested for in any autoimmune illness. Recommended Lab: Clongen Laboratories, 12321 Middlebrook Road #120, Germantown, MD 20874; Tel: 301-916-0175; Fax: 301-916-0175; customer support: cs@clongen.com (Test description and order forms can be downloaded directly from their site: http://www.clongen.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13&Itemid=94) Specimen Requirements: Contact laboratory for a specimen kit. Samples should be sent by overnight courier.

Tests must be ordered by a physician, and tests must be pre-paid or pre-approved by an insurance carrier (private insurance or Medicare, Medicaid or Medical). The Institute for Molecular Medicine website is www.immed.org. On this site you will find publications and documents on CFS/ME, FMS, autoimmune diseases and other chronic illnesses.†

Prof. Garth Nicolson
President & Chief Scientific Officer,
The Institute for Molecular Medicine (www.immed.org)
 
Veterinary Laboratory Testing

Scientists and physicians at the Institute for Molecular Medicine have been working with veterinarians who have patients of various species with undiagnosed illnesses, in some cases similar to their owners who have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), Gulf War Illness (GWI) or Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). We have determined that a connection exists between the above chronic illnesses suffered by humans and chronic infections caused by Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Borrelia or other chronic infectious pathogens. For example, Mycoplasmas are microscopic microorganisms similar to bacteria but without a rigid cell wall. Some species of Mycoplasma or Chlamydia do not cause human or animal diseases, but more recently several species have been shown to cause or are a cofactor in disease, and when such microorganisms are found in the blood, they should be treated just like any other bacterial blood infection. The species of Mycoplasma that we have found in about 50% of CFS, 60% of FMS, 45% of GWI and 40% of RA patients and their pets cause systemic infections that invade virtually every tissue in the body and can compromise the immune system, permitting opportunistic infections by viruses, bacteria, fungi and yeast. Often these patients have multiple chronic infections and their signs/ symptoms can be quite complex, and each patient tends to have his or her own unique set of problems.
 
Systemic chronic microorganism infections can cause chronic fatigue, reoccurring fevers, night sweats, joint and muscle pain, stomach upsets, hair loss, diarrhea, breathing problems, sleep disturbances, sinus congestion/pain,watery eyes, skin rashes, kidney pain, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, such as light sensitivity, urination problems, heart and thyroid problems and in extreme cases autoimmune-like disorders, such as those that lead to muscle degeneration and paralysis. The latter symptoms are probably due to the fact that the microorganism is released from infected cells carrying parts of host cell membrane, and individuals may respond to the microorganism as well as normal host antigens carried on the microorganism, resulting in symptoms similar to but not exactly those of MS, ALS, Lupus and other autoimmune disorders. Other symptoms include abnormal allergic responses, peculiar neurological symptoms, heart abnormalities, respiratory ailments, gastric discomforts ranging from ulcers to irritable bowel syndrome, and in extreme instances encephalitis and/or meningitis. Mycoplasma or Chlamydia infections usually start as respiratory infections that cause a respiratory illness that progresses to a systemic condition.

For testing, we recommend that you contact the Animal & Disease Laboratory at South Dakota State University, (http://pcr.sdstate.org/)

Testimonials from Pet Owners

Research at International Molecular Diagnostics, Inc. (IMD) and its nonprofit sister organization, The Institute for Molecular Medicine, has shown that owners of various species of animals who have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), Gulf War Illness (GWI) or Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) commonly have sick pets. We have determined a connection between the above chronic illnesses suffered by humans and their pets and chronic infections caused by Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, or other chronic infectious pathogens. These illnesses are often caused by chronic infections that can cause illness in humans and animals. In many cases the chronic infections can be identified and effective therapies administered. A few examples appear below:

N.R., Ph.D. of Houston, TX
Patient had severe CFS/FMS for several years and was diagnosed with a mycoplasmal infection (Mycoplasma fermentans). Her two cats slowly became sick with an undiagnosed chronic illness and presented with intermittent diarrhea and regurgitation, intermittent fevers, chronic fatigue, watery eyes, hair loss and other signs and symptoms. Both cats were positive in blood tests for the same infection and were treated with several 4-week cycles of oral Vibramycin. Their owner was treated with several cycles of antibiotics, including doxycycline and azithromycin. All eventually recovered.

M.M. of Denver, CO
Patient had GWI/CFS after serving in the Gulf War. Various pets (birds, hamsters, dogs) slowly became sick, and the birds and hamsters died. Tissue samples from the dead pets indicated mycoplasmal infections. The patient’s dogs presented with fatigue, rheumatoid problems, hair loss and other signs and symptoms and were treated with oral doxycycline for two 4-week cycles and recovered and now appears normal.

D.H. of Ft. Meade, MD
Patient and entire family became sick with GWI/CFS, including two pet dogs that displayed signs of fatigue, diarrhea, hair loss, vision problems, skin lesions and other signs and symptoms. Blood tests indicated infection with Mycoplasma (M. fermentans). The dogs were placed on oral Vibramycin for three 4-week cycles and completely returned to normal.

L.G., M.D. of Lawton, OK
A physician and his wife became ill with CFS/FMS, and both tested positive for mycoplasmal infections. Their 6 year-old dog then became ill and exhibited heart arrhythmia and neurological signs and symptoms, including hind leg paralysis. The dog was placed on oral ciprofloxacin. After three 4-week cycles of antibiotic, the animal recovered and has not relapsed.

Prof. Garth L. Nicolson
Chief Scientific Officer and Research Professor
Formally: Adjunct Professor of Veterinary Pathology, Texas A & M School of Veterinary Medicine