The Center for Complex Infectious Diseases (CCID) was formed to pursue independent studies on the “stealth-adapted” viruses that were being cultured from patients with the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). The Center aims at establishing a scientific bridge between Molecular Virology and Clinical Neuropsychiatry, with the primary goal of developing new approaches to therapy of stealth virus infected patients. Within a broader context, the Center is applying advanced molecular and tissue culture techniques to define the association of stealth viruses with many of the scourges that affect mankind, including CFS, mental illnesses, autism and attention deficit in children, auto-immune diseases and cancer. The Center is currently organized into the following three divisions:

Basic Science:

Learning how stealth viruses avoid immune recognition, yet are able to replicate and induce cellular damage, is the major focus of this Division. Towards this goal, CCID is continuing the sequencing of a prototype stealth virus. This particular virus unequivocally originated from an African green monkey simian cytomegalovirus and can, therefore, be considered a probable contaminant of a live polio virus vaccine. In addition to CMV related genes, cells infected with this virus show a diverse array of both mutated cellular and bacterial derived genes. The data indicate a replication mechanism, probably involving reverse transcription of RNA to DNA, in which the virus can “capture, amplify and mutate,” various additional genetic sequences. Among the residual viral sequences are multiple copies of a gene that acts as a receptor for cell stimulatory agents called chemokines. Interestingly, the same receptor is utilized by human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, to gain entry into cells. The striking expansion of chemokine receptor genes has led to the employment of chemokine blocking agents in the therapeutic studies. A specific molecular inhibitor of stealth virus replication, termed Epione is also being studied.

Diagnostic Laboratory: A licensed diagnostic laboratory has been established for specialized viral cultures and for additional studies in patients with complex illnesses of possible viral etiology. Strongly positive cultures have been found in many patients currently being diagnosed with CFS and related neurological and psychiatric illnesses. Positive cultures have also been consistently positive in patients with so-called chronic Lyme disease, suggesting the need to reevaluate this diagnosis. Cancer patients are also showing strikingly positive results. Among blood donors, approximately 10% will show mild to moderate positive results. Serial stealth virus cultures are being used to access the anti-viral effects of therapy.

Clinical Program:

A CCID Medical Clinic has been formed to allow for the direct clinical evaluation of a small number of patients. Information on a larger group of patients is being sough through the collaboration of various clinicians treating stealth virus infected patients. Dr. George Lewis is coordinating this effort for CCID.

Research Studies:

Stealth virus inhibitor: An inhibitor is present in the tissue culture fluid of stealth viral cultures grown in certain cell lines. It has been tentatively termed Epione after the wife of Asculpius, the Greek father of medicine, who was known for her ability to sooth pain. The first goal is to purify this compound from the tissue culture fluid and determine its composition. The second goal is to define, by genetic sequencing, the gene which codes for Epione and the genes that are affected by this compound. The genome of an SCMV-derived stealth virus has been cloned and partially sequenced. The Epione coding clone should have a source of a small quantity of genetically produced material. Using this material, the next goal will be to request FDA approval of its use in a few severely ill, stealth virus infected patients. Objective clinical improvement would help validate the hypothesis that the stealth virus infection was the primary cause of the patient's illness. Larger quantities of the compound will then be produced, probably in conjunction with a pharmaceutical company, for the final goal which will be to undertake a large scale double blind therapeutic trial. T

It is the aim of The Amen Clinics to provide instructional programs and materials, evaluations and medical treatment where necessary to help you to understand and direct your mind to enhance your relationships, your work, and your health!

CDC, located in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, is an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan is the Director. www.

The mission of the AHMA is to support practitioners in their evolving personal and professional development as healers and to educate physicians about holistic medicine

Vision

To transform health care so that it addresses physical, environmental, mental, emotional, spiritual and social health, thereby contributing to the healing of the planet. As holistic physicians, we are committed to the health of all whom we serve including ourselves. The essence of our vision is unconditional love.

Research contains: A database of scientific papers on ME/CFS-related subjects, 75 abstracts and posters from the 1998 Sydney CFS Conference, and 24 abstracts and posters from the 1999 Sydney CFS Conference.

The Information section of the AHMF website provides:

Information about the Foundation, including a speech by Alison Hunter; ME/CFS-related information, such as advice on education and insurance; reports, speeches and order forms from the 1998 & 1999 AHMF Sydney ME/CFS Conferences; and three reports from AACFS Conferences, containing brief, readable summaries of up-to-date research. A page of ME/CFS-related sites.

The Advocacy section of the AHMF website provides: submissions and letters the Foundation has sent to the RACP Working Group for CFS; information and advocacy regarding ME/CFS in the media; and papers and articles regarding psychiatric treatment of severe ME/CFS cases.

Médecins Sans Frontières (also known as Doctors Without Borders or MSF) delivers emergency aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics, and natural and man-made disasters, and to others who lack health care due to social or geographical isolation.