ATLANTA, Jan 24, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention has started a study of an unexplained skin condition known as
Morgellons.
People affected by the condition report skin sensations of crawling, biting and
stinging, and the presence of granules, threads, fibers or tiny black matter on
or beneath their skin. Some people also report fatigue, mental confusion, short
term memory loss, joint pain and changes in vision.
The CDC awarded a $338,000 contract to the Kaiser Permanente Division of
Research to assist in the study. CDC officials said they plan to enroll patients
in Kaiser Permanente's Northern California Health Plan in the study.
"CDC is taking a multifaceted approach to this investigation with other external
partners including the Armed Forces Pathology Institute," said Dr. Michele
Pearson, the study's principal investigator. Pearson said the primary goals are
to describe the clinical and epidemiological features of the condition and to
identify possible risk factors.
Pearson said the research is expected to take at least a year to complete.
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Copyright 2008 by United Press International