title: Could ehrlichial infection cause some of the changes associated with leukemia, myelodysplastic diseases and autoimmune disorders, and offer antibiotic treatment options?
abstract: We hypothesize that a large group of medical conditions of unknown etiology including leukemia, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic and autoimmune disorders, may be associated with or caused by an obscure group of intracellular obligate parasitic bacteria named Ehrlichia/Anaplasma (EA). Ensconced in the stem cells of the bone marrow, EA may disrupt the normal development and function of many of the cells of immunity, manifesting itself as different syndromes. Recent studies of the activity of EA suggest direct effects on the immune system consistent with the manifestations of leukemia. We reference here three leukemia patients with direct or indirect evidence of EA infection. Moreover, EA have been shown to be most sensitive to rifamycins. Two moribund leukemia patients with levels of platelets and white cells incompatible with life were treated with therapeutic doses of Rifampin. Though they did not survive, their condition improved dramatically for a time, suggesting Rifampin provided some therapeutic benefit. We assert that these results warrant more extensive study.
authors.affiliation: Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: Cak0529@aol.com.
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kallick
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA. Electronic address: Danielarifriedman@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Friedman
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania. Electronic address: Mnyindo2002@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Mramba B A
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Nyindo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D004536:Ehrlichia; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D009190:Myelodysplastic Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012293:Rifampin