Brussels Conference:

The conference reported on several exciting new areas of research. This included information on further work on the potential diagnostic marker 'Low Molecular Weight RNaseL' (LMWRNaseL). Professor Suhadolnik who is pioneering this work, suggested that some of the clinical abnomalities found in M.E/C.F.S patients may be due to a dysregulation of the biochemical pathway that allows the white cells (in the body's immune system) to hydrolyse viral nucleic acids which inhibits the activation of them.

Also interesting research was highlighted by Professor Garth Nicholson, who was able to demonstrate that in a study of 200 patients asscoiated with Gulf War Ilness (an illness with some shared symptoms), 45-50% had evidence of Mycoplasmal infections (for more info go to www.immed.org). Subsequent research into patients with CFS,Fibromalgia Syndrome, and Arthritis has led Professor Nicholson's group to conclude that sub-groups of these illness may have Mycoplasmal (and other) infections. They believe that treatment with appropriate antibiotics may result in gradual recovery. More information can be obtained from Professor Nicholson's website at www.immed.org. The site also contains lots of other interesting research publications on ME/CFS.

Dr. Nancy Klimas gave an overview of immunological abnormalities in CFS, looking into the interaction between the brain and system mediated via the HPA axis (Journal of CFS, Vol. 5, No.3/4, p.111-113). Dr. Kuratsune lectured about his work focusing on evidence of reduced acetyl-carntine in parts of the brain. Dr. Henry Butt, from the Australian New South Wales team, gave information on their ongoing research into findings that suggest that people with CFS may have a reduced level of aerobic organisms in their intestinal tract when compared to healthy individuals.