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Ultrastruct Pathol. 2016 Sep-Oct;40(5):249-53. doi: 10.1080/01913123.2016.1190434. Epub 2016 Jun 7.

Ultrastruct Pathol. 2016 Sep-Oct;40(5):249-53. doi: 10.1080/01913123.2016.1190434. Epub 2016 Jun 7.<br>

The first investigative science-based evidence of Morgellons psychogenesis.

The first investigative science-based evidence of Morgellons psychogenesis.<br>

Roncati L1,2, Gatti AM3, Pusiol T2, Piscioli F2, Barbolini G1, Maiorana A1.

Roncati L1,2, Gatti AM3, Pusiol T2, Piscioli F2, Barbolini G1, Maiorana A1.<br>

 

Abstract

Abstract<br>

Morgellons disease is an infrequent syndromic condition, that typically affects middle-aged white women, characterized by crawling sensations on and under the skin, associated with itchy rashes, stinging sores, fiber-like filaments emerging from the sores, severe fatigue, concentrating difficulty, and memory loss. The scientific community is prone to believe that Morgellons is the manifestation of various psychiatric syndromes (Munchausen, Munchausen by proxy, Ekbom, Wittmaack-Ekbom). Up until now, no investigative science-based evidence about its psychogenesis has ever been provided. In order to close this gap, we have analyzed the filaments extracted from the skin lesions of a 49-year-old Caucasian female patient, by using a Field Emission Gun-Environmental Electron Scanning Microscope equipped with an X-ray microprobe, for the chemico-elemental characterization of the filaments, comparing them with those collected during a detailed indoor investigation, with careful air monitoring, in her apartment. Our results prove the self-introduction under the epidermis of environmental filaments. For the first time in the literature, we have scientifically demonstrated the self-induced nature of Morgellons disease, thereby wiping out fanciful theories about its etiopathogenesis.

Morgellons disease is an infrequent syndromic condition, that typically affects middle-aged white women, characterized by crawling sensations on and under the skin, associated with itchy rashes, stinging sores, fiber-like filaments emerging from the sores, severe fatigue, concentrating difficulty, and memory loss.<br>The scientific community is prone to believe that Morgellons is the manifestation of various psychiatric syndromes (Munchausen, Munchausen by proxy, Ekbom, Wittmaack-Ekbom). Up until now, no investigative science-based evidence about its psychogenesis has ever been provided. In order to close this gap, we have analyzed the filaments extracted from the skin lesions of a 49-year-old Caucasian female patient, by using a Field Emission Gun-Environmental Electron Scanning Microscope equipped with an X-ray microprobe, for the chemico-elemental characterization of the filaments, comparing them with those collected during a detailed indoor investigation, with careful air monitoring, in her apartment.<br>Our results prove the self-introduction under the epidermis of environmental filaments. For the first time in the literature, we have scientifically demonstrated the self-induced nature of Morgellons disease, thereby wiping out fanciful theories about its etiopathogenesis.

KEYWORDS:

KEYWORDS:<br>

Bovine digital dermatitis; Morgellons disease; Munchausen by proxy syndrome; Munchausen syndrome; energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); environmental electron scanning microscope (ESEM)

Bovine digital dermatitis; Morgellons disease; Munchausen by proxy syndrome; Munchausen syndrome; energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS); environmental electron scanning microscope (ESEM)<br>

PMID: 27269255 DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2016.1190434

PMID: 27269255 DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2016.1190434