Abstract
Morgellons disease is a mysterious skin disorder that was first described over 300 years ago. The disease is characterized by fiber-like strands extruding from the skin in association with dermatologic and neuropsychiatric signs and symptoms. Although Morgellons disease has been confused with delusional parasitosis, the occurrence of the disease in children, the lack of pre-existing psychopathology in most patients and the presence of subcutaneous fibers on skin biopsy indicate that the disease has a somatic origin. The association with Lyme disease and the apparent response to antibiotic therapy supports the concept that Morgellons disease may be triggered by an infectious process. Recent studies suggest that infection with Agrobacterium may play a role in the disease. Further clinical and molecular research is needed to unlock the mystery of Morgellons disease.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank Vitaly Citovsky, Kerry Clark, Keith Clay, William Harvey, Alan MacDonald, James Schaller, Randy Wymore and Adi Zaltsman for helpful discussion. We also thank Mary Leitao, Pat Smith and Cindy Casey for their invaluable contributions, and Mr and Mrs Robert Weinke for their generous support. This article is dedicated to the memory of Charles Holman.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
RB Stricker serves on the advisory panel for QMedRx Inc. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.