Because mycoplasma can thrive inside cells without detection of the immune system, conventional antibody tests may be relatively useless (Komaroff, Bell, Cheney & Lo, 1993). Unless the white blood cell is examined for the evidence of the live organism, it can go undetected for years. The splitting-open (fraction) of leukocytes (white blood cells) from a fresh blood sample, with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, is the most accurate way to detect the presence of active infection with a live pathogen (Nicolson, Nasralla, Haier & Nicolson, 1998). Further gene-tracking techniques are even more accurate (Nicolson & Nicolson, 1994).

Because mycoplasma has the ability to damage the immune system by invading the natural killer cells (NK cells) of the white blood cells of the immune system, it weakens them, reduces their numbers, and renders the individual susceptible to other infections, such as Human Herpes Virus 6 (HHV6) (Montagnier & Blanchard, 1993).

Mycoplasma infection can trigger inflammatory cytokine over-production that is commonly seen in autoimmune disorders. With the induction of CD-4+ helper cells of the immune system, an over production of cytokines such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha occurs. (Rawadi, Roman-Roman, et al., 1996), (Gallily, Salman, Tarshis & Rottem, 1992), (Brenner, Yamin, Abramsky & Gallily, 1993) These elevated cytokines have been implicated in the development of many of the CFS/FMS symptoms, including neurological involvement. (Brenner, Yamin & Gallily, 1994) (Weidenfeld, Wohlman & Gallily,1995) Mycoplasma can have specific or nonspecific stimulatory or suppressive effects on lymphocytes, as measured by B and T cell activation. (Haier, Nasralla, Marwan, & Nicolson, 1998) In addition, the mycoplasma infection has immunomodulating effects, activating the hypothalmic-pituitary-adrenal axis. This can cause a cascade of limbic system symptoms characteristic of CFS/FMS. (Brenner, Yamin, Abramsky & Gallily, 1993).

(Created 6/10/05 by Sharon Briggs)