Morgellons Medical Conference Highlights New Research

The 6th Annual Morgellons Medical Conference hosted by The Charles E. Holman Foundation highlighted critical new research for the rare, debilitating illness Morgellons Disease.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) May 16, 2013

The Charles E. Holman Foundation (CEHF), a non-profit advocacy group for those suffering the rare medical condition Morgellons Disease, is pleased to announce the incredible success of the 6th Annual Morgellons Medical Conference that took place in April in Austin, TX. Attendees from the around the globe, including researchers, medical professionals and patients, gathered for the event titled, “Searching for the Uncommon Thread” to discuss new research and understanding of the condition.

Morgellons Disease (MD) is a somewhat mysterious medical condition that is characterized by the formation of unusual fibers within the skin. Patients with the condition will often describe symptoms including the sensation of something crawling on or within their skin. The multi-system illness includes slow-healing skin lesions often accompanied with overwhelming fatigue and an array of neurological deficits. The condition affects people of all ages and ethnic groups, worldwide. New research confirms the presence of spirochetal bacteria in tissue of MD patients indicating an infectious element.

"The CEHF has come a long way in the research and advocacy of Morgellons Disease. We encourage the sharing of empirical research. Our annual conference, the only professional meeting devoted to Morgellons Disease, was begun and continues each year for this purpose,” said Cindy Casey-Holman, RN, Dir. of The CEHF.

The 2-day conference was held at the Wyndham Garden Hotel & Woodward Conference Center in Austin, TX. The speakers for the event included Randy S. Wymore, Ph.D., Director of Research at OSU-CHS-CIMD (Center for the Investigation of Morgellons Disease) and two assistants from his research team who provided an update on their work in Tulsa; Canadian Microbiologist Marianne Middelveen who presented her latest research involving DNA confirmation of Borrelia within MD patients' specimens. Ms. Middelveen also stepped in for her husband, Parasitologist Robert Allan, to discuss parasites commonly associated with humans (zoonotic diseases). This was a highly engaging portion of the conference event demonstrating, from a parasitological & microbiological perspective, that parasitic morphology was inconsistent with the structure of specimens from Morgellons Disease. Eva Sapi, PhD from University of New Haven (CT), recently credited with being the first to demonstrate that Lyme spirochetes create their own complex biofilm, discussed her involvement with MD research including future DNA research plans. Dr. Peter Mayne, GP Dermatologist from Australia, discussed the clinical findings associated with MD and elaborated about the PCR analysis used in the most current DNA report revealing the Borrelia spirochete. Dr. Edward Kilbane, Psychiatrist from Stanford University, discussed Psychiatric symptoms and diagnosis as related to MD; Amelia M. Withington, MD, Psychiatrist from PA, gave an insightful accounting of her journey over the past 5 yrs as a physician dealing with Morgellons Disease. The official DVD of the conference will be available June 1, 2013. To order a copy of the DVD and learn more about the mystery disease, please visit thecehf.org.

About The Charles E. Holman Foundation
The Charles E. Holman Foundation, based in Austin, TX, is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization committed to advocacy and philanthropy in the battle against MD. The foundation was named for Charles E. Holman, a pioneer in the fight against Morgellons Disease and is led by Executive Director Cindy Casey-Holman, RN.

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2013/5/prweb10740073.htm