http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0029908
Abstract:
Background
Morgellons is a poorly characterized constellation of symptoms, with the primary manifestations involving the skin. We conducted an investigation of this unexplained dermopathy to characterize the clinical and epidemiologic features and explore potential etiologies.
Methods
A descriptive study was conducted among persons at least 13 years of age and enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) during 2006–2008. A case was defined as the self-reported emergence of fibers or materials from the skin accompanied by skin lesions and/or disturbing skin sensations. We collected detailed epidemiologic data, performed clinical evaluations and geospatial analyses and analyzed materials collected from participants’ skin.
Results
We identified 115 case-patients. The prevalence was 3.65 (95% CI = 2.98, 4.40) cases per 100,000 enrollees. There was no clustering of cases within the 13-county KPNC catchment area (p = .113). Case-patients had a median age of 52 years (range: 17–93) and were primarily female (77%) and Caucasian (77%). Multi-system complaints were common; 70% reported chronic fatigue and 54% rated their overall health as fair or poor with mean Physical Component Scores and Mental Component Scores of 36.63 (SD = 12.9) and 35.45 (SD = 12.89), respectively. Cognitive deficits were detected in 59% of case-patients and 63% had evidence of clinically significant somatic complaints; 50% had drugs detected in hair samples and 78% reported exposure to solvents. Solar elastosis was the most common histopathologic abnormality (51% of biopsies); skin lesions were most consistent with arthropod bites or chronic excoriations. No parasites or mycobacteria were detected. Most materials collected from participants’ skin were composed of cellulose, likely of cotton origin.
Conclusions
This unexplained dermopathy was rare among this population of Northern California residents, but associated with significantly reduced health-related quality of life. No common underlying medical condition or infectious source was identified, similar to more commonly recognized conditions such as delusional infestation.
That’s basically consistent with what I’ve said all along since I started this site in April 2006. The fibers are environmental (and mostly cotton), Morgellons is not a distinct disease, and the patients suffer from a variety of conditions – both physical and/or psychological.
I recognize that the people who think they have “Morgellons” are really suffering. But the answer is not in inventing a new disease. I recognize also this report will be a disappointment for them – but hopefully some will take it as an opportunity. It’s not a strange new disease. The fibers are not alive. You might just have some known conditions that can be treated. Talk to your doctor. Keep an open mind. Good luck.
The range of media headlines is quite amusing, simultaneously the CDC has “cracked the code” and has “no explanation”, it’s “debunked” but “still a puzzle”.
This site is great. Anything to fight erroneous claims on the internet is necessary. Unfortunately sites like this are vastly outnumbered by enabling sites. Morgellons sounded like a obsessive/hypochondriac personality created disease when I first heard about it and the more I read about it the more it confirms my belief. I mean come on these “bodily emissions” are tested to be strands of cotton and nylon? What organism on earth secretes threads of cotton or nylon?
This disease is likely psychological possibly coupled with a hypersensitive nervous system. Unfortunately people will continue to “have” this disease since no one wants to be told they are crazy (I don’t necessarily think that’s what they are but that is what they will feel when they hear its psych related). They will turn inward to their enabling community and in some ways it will make it stronger.
Regardless keep up the good work here. I just found this site because my interest was piqued due to this study. I’ll check back occasionally.
Hello, Michael. Well, it would certainly be nice if all of the morgies were in the position to be accepting of the conclusion of the CDC’s study. They could all decide to treat the various underlying causes which directly contributed to the development of their bizarre symptoms and be on the road to better health. But, of course, that’s not how something like this goes, and their quacks are going to continue playing along with them. What a bummer.
This report will at least give medical practitioners a firm basis for understanding the condition. It will also provide the media with perspective, so they stop doing such breathless stories.
It is very sad that for many people though, this will make little difference. One hopes that it will at least help with the marginal cases.
Just found your site,wish the history channel would retract statements their past shows have made about Morgellons with this news revealed. I mean I guess it is history technically,but really? These shows have showed inaccurate information and I would think they care about their educational reputation…
I received the below article in a Google Alert. If the photograph is to be believed, it appears to be a larger fragment of the, well publicized over the internet, artificial knee that Jan Smith had replaced.
http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/Voices.php/2012/01/30/cdc-calls-morgellons-nanoworms-a-delusio
Biomedical Devices
http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/davidb/biomaterials.htm
This study doesnt really prove anything.
All it proves is they still dont know what morgellons symptoms are caused from.
(They used to think stomach ulcers were caused from stress until they proved they are mostly caused from a bacteria ……)
Going to a doctor to rule out other things, cant argue with that . But most of the time they can not help you ,or know what to do, or find anything and send you on your way .Thats the PROBLEM!
Some cases they find other serious diseases so its important to get checked out ,I aggree.
It indicates that there’s no COMMON underlying cause to the symptoms. It also said the fibers seemed to just be natural, cotton and suchlike, from clothing.
I think that 70% had chronic fatigue is very signicant.That tells me something is off right there.
Of course they are going to find some clothing fibers stuck on the open lesions,thats no surprize.
They still dont know why Morgellons people have abnormal amounts of fibers on their bodys .ABNORMAL being key word.
Ive experienced the fibers so I know there is something to it .
Now that my symptoms are down,so are the fibers.
All I know is taking large amounts of VitC(10-20 grams) daily keeps crawling symptoms at bay for me .So does drinking apple cider vinegar.
For some people just eating healthy and eliminating junk
foods and sugar really helps.
Its very important for people with morgellons symptoms to eat healthy and live healthy life styles .Ive seen many improve from just that.
Whatever it is seems to thrive on sugar/carbs.
Im writing these things not to argue but to help anyone who has these morgellons symptoms.