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Many people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have been tested for HHV6A and found to be positive. HHV6A stands for Human Herpes Virus Number 6A. The test for HHV6A is now commercially available through Herpesvirus Diagnostics Inc. (Physicians may call [414] 529-3680.)
HHV6A is a persistant and infectious virus that can't yet be totally eradicated from the body. The strain GS is the one usually found in PWCs (Person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) as well as in AIDS and other illnesses. Ampligen helps inhibit the virus but is not yet accessible to most people.
Another drug that inhibits this strain is Kutapressin. Kutapressin was found helpful to PWCs in 1988 when two Houston physicians, Drs. Thomas Steinbach and William Hermann, began a therapy with PWCs using intramuscular injections which were slowly reduced in frequency until just one injection per week were used. The origional protocol is daily IM shots of 2ml for 25 days, then three times weekly for up to six months, and then just 1 time a week. Dr. Steinbach uses a 23-gauge 1-inch needle and combines this with a Vitamin B12 shot.
Manufactured by Schwartz Pharma in Illinois, Kutapressin is an amino acid and peptide extract from pig's liver. Most insurance companies will cover the prescription drug. An informal study of 270 PWCs showed 75% benefiting after 40 injections, and all had been sick for more than five years. A second study, previously published, showed an 85% symptom reduction. There was also a study by Dr. C.V. Abalashi that found Kutapressin helped in vitro (in a test tube) to inhibit HHV6 (In Vivo, 1994).
Dr. Derek Enlander treats over 800 PWVs in New York City. He has modified the Houston protocol to weekly injections and found a similar benefit for these PWCs. Only two PWCs out of these 800 have ever demonstrated a significant allergic response to the drug. Many, however, do experience soreness where the injection site is, and he claims to minimize this by using a 30-gauge, 1-inch needle. He combines Kutapressin with magnesium, sulfate, Calphosan, B12, and folic acid. The method alleviates the flu-like symptoms and sore throats associated with CFIDS but, like Ampligen, works very slowly. The benefits are gradual and usually will be noticeable between 8 and 12 weeks. The drug also had been found to expand the time between flares, and the relapsing episodes last a shorter time.
To use Dr. Enlander's method, a compounding pharmacist must prepare the injections, which should be refrigerated. The solution, however, should be brought to room temperature before being injected. It should always be clear in color, with no clouding or discoloring seen.
Kutapressin costs between $90 and $120 for a 20-ml vial. One vial usually produces 10 shots. Although your "traditional physician" may be reluctant to try this method, a resulting HHV6A test should make him/her more amenable to the drug. It has been used for many years for skin conditions and is considered very safe.
This article was written by Robert Huntington. (The National Forum, Spring 1998)
We advise anyone reading this or any other article on this site to always read our disclaimer and consult a qualified physician before beginning any new drug protocol.
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