- Details
- Last Updated: 05 December 2015 05 December 2015
Article Index
Treatment advances
D.Strayer (Philadelphia, USA) gave an update on the use of Rintatolimod (previously known as Ampligen). They had studied the use of the drug in XMRV/pMRV antibody positive patients. Of the patients selected, 33.7% were antibody positive. The antibody negative group had lower activity for daily living scores. Those who were antibody-positive showed a significantly greater increase in exercise treadmill tolerance when treated with the drug than those treated with placebo and those who were antibody negative. The responding patients also showed a decrease in use of other medication.
The use of Rifampicin was found to augment the effects of oxymatrine (Equilibrant) in ME/CFS patients by J.Chia (Torrance, USA). Those with chronic enterovirus infection had previously been shown to benefit from oxymatrine (Equilibrant). 46 ME/CFS patients were treated with Rifampicin 300mg bd for 7 days while taking oxymatrine and compared with patients taking just oxymatrine, and a control group. Initially flu-like symptoms occurred in those taking the rifampicin plus oxymatrine, but subsequent symptomatic improvement was observed in 60%. Short courses of rifampicin may therefore be beneficial in oxymatrine responders. Rifampicin induces nitric oxide from human aveolar macrophages causing the initial flu-like symptoms. 2nd or longer courses of rifampicin did not appear to help.
F.Friedberg (Stonybrook, NY) tested a brief self-management protocol for unexplained chronic fatigue and ME/CFS in primary care. Two self-management sessions focussing on CBT were undertaken in 3 study conditions: 1) standard medical care alone, 2) standard medical care plus nurse-delivered attention control condition of symptom monitoring and 3) standard medical care plus nurse-delivered self-management CBT. There was modest improvement in fatigue severity and patient global impression of change (PGIC) ratings in the self-management programme. Ratings tended to reflect different attitudes to the illness and/or differential exposures to negative major life events. Improved patients reported increased awareness of behaviour and affirmative steps to pursue more healthy activities. Self-management can generate improved outcomes.