Was Dr. Andrew Wakefield Right After All?

Dr. Andrew Wakefield

Maybe those who were quick to professionally eviscerate Dr. Wakefield ought to listen up to what’s breaking in cutting-edge scientific research regarding autism and intestinal/gut problems associated with children on the autism spectrum.

January 10, 2012, the American Society for Microbiology published what I consider a stunning report, “Application of Novel PCR-Based Methods for Detection, Quantitation, and Phylogenetic Characterization of Sutterella Species in Intestinal Biopsy Samples from Children with Autism and Gastrointestinal Disturbances” authored by researchers at the Center for Infection and Immunity, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York City—not in some foreign country. [1]

The researchers reported on using “the first Sutterella-specific PCR assays for detecting, quantitating, and genotyping Sutterella species in biological and environmental samples.” [1] This is significant information, I think, because the U.S. FDA, from what I understand, wants to prevent the PCR Test [polymerase chain reaction developed in 1983 by Kary Mullis], which can obtain results overnight and can be effective in vaccine issues—e.g., identifying viruses, possible adverse events or even prevention—from being made available to physicians, laboratories, and consumers. To understand more how PCR works, I suggest reading this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymerase_chain_reaction.

Perhaps—I say perhaps—the problem with the FDA may stem from the ‘politics’ of science over patents and not that the test is accurate, useful, and can be helpful to healthcare consumers desperately looking for answers. Interestingly though, PCR can detect RNA viruses like measles and mumps, so what does that infer about implication for the MMR vaccine? Does the plot thicken?

Since the autism spectrum disorder now affects 1 percent of the USA population [over 3 million] and growing daily, it seems, one would hope that some connection of the dots will be made soon to stop this terrible affliction of two generations now—something our children did not experience in such ‘galloping numbers’ years ago, which the medical literature confirms.

Autism literally is a gut-wrenching health problem, which has been occurring since the push to vaccinate children with numerous vaccines began in the 1980s. Coincidentally, the ASD issue and multiple vaccinations seem to have become a parallel health issue or peculiarity.

In reading through the mBio’s online PDF file of the Mailman School of Public Health study, this sort of ‘jumped’ out at me:

Sutterella species have been isolated from human and animal feces (30–32) and have also been isolated from human infections below the diaphragm; most often from patients with appendicitis, peritonitis, or rectal or perirectal abscesses (22, 23). Sutterella sequences have been identified in fecal samples and intestinal biopsy samples from individuals with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis but also from apparently healthy adults (24, 25, 27, 33). Thus, based on these previous findings, it remains unclear whether Sutterella species contribute to inflammation and infection or are simply normal inhabitants of the human microbiota in some individuals.”

It seems Sutterella is associated with infections and/or inflammatory processes (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), which leads me to ask this question:

What role do vaccines with their numerous antigen-reaction-producing chemicals play in the inflammatory process within the human body, especially in an infant’s or toddler’s body, whose immune system is not fully established until around 2 years of age or a little older, depending upon each child’s personal body chemistry?

Dr. Harold E. Buttram, MD, and I co-authored several papers about the inflammatory process within the brain that probably occurs from vaccines. You can read them at International Medical Council for Vaccinations. One, in particular, that may help you understand what transpires, “Vaccines and Brain Inflammation,” can be read here http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/2011/06/01/vaccines-and-brain-inflammation/.

So, in light of what I’ve said in the above paragraphs, I cannot help myself from asking this, which medical researchers ought to investigate, I think:

  • What role does Leaky Gut Syndrome [damaged bowel lining] play with regard to facilitating the inflammation process to occur?
  • Does leaky gut syndrome present the classic example of which came first, the chicken or the egg? Is Sutterella induced, or does it induce bowel inflammations?
  • Are some children born with a mitochondrial proclivity for Sutterella? The Hannah Poling case brought mitochondrial proclivities to the forefront. Incidentally, mitochondrial proclivities may not show up until as late as 14 years of age.
  • Does each vaccine’s toxic chemicals damage the intestinal lining thereby producing leaky gut leading to Sutterella colonies in ASD children, which non-ASD children do not have, as the Mailman School of Public Health study reported?

Perhaps we ought to consider this:

  • Before any child is vaccinated, a PCR Test should be given before and then later to investigate and confirm the ‘leads’ being offered in the bacteria gut story reported in the Mailman study; Dr. Wakefield’s findings as long ago as 1998; and my suggestions in this article.
  • We know what the researchers Williams, Hornig, Parekh, et al, at Mailman Public School of Health came up with. Dr. Wakefield reported finding a measles strain in children’s gut that was the same as in the MMR vaccine, if I remember correctly. So, the next logical step, I think, is to start tracking what’s going on with gut problems in children on the autism spectrum.

Here’s my further suggestion, which I think is scientifically sensible:

  • Any child whose PCR Test results indicate any abnormal intestinal flora strain/growth should NOT be vaccinated, as they just may be the ‘hidden’ candidates for ASD.
  • However, if those children are then vaccinated ignoring PCR’s results, subsequent PCR Tests should be administered before any next scheduled round of vaccines [2, 4, 6 months to age 14] to make certain that no Sutterella has taken over the gut, which possibly could precipitate ASD, based upon the Mailman findings and Dr. Wakefield’s work, which—if taken seriously—may have eliminated the current ASD problems.

My suggestions could be done inexpensively [blood test in most cases], easily, and scientifically IF those who have vested interests in maintaining ‘vaccines are safe’ get out of the way and keep their money and influence away from the FDA and Congress, I truly believe.

Reference:
[1] http://mbio.asm.org/content/3/1/e00261-11.full.pdf+html accessed 1/11/12

About the author

Catherine J. Frompovich

Catherine J Frompovich is a retired natural nutritionist who earned advanced degrees in Nutrition and Holistic Health Sciences, Certification in Orthomolecular Theory and Practice plus Paralegal Studies. Her work has been published in national and airline magazines since the early 1980s. Catherine authored numerous books on health issues along with co-authoring papers and monographs with physicians, nurses, and holistic healthcare professionals. She has been a consumer healthcare researcher 35 years and counting. Catherine is an editor and writing consultant who helps authors get into publication. For numerous semesters she taught several writing courses for a suburban Philadelphia school district’s Adult Evening School. Her passion is assisting and guiding authors into print. Catherine’s latest book, A Cancer Answer, Holistic BREAST Cancer Management, A Guide to Effective & Non-Toxic Treatments, will be available on Amazon.com and as a Kindle eBook sometime in July 2012. Two of Catherine’s more recent books on Amazon.com are Our Chemical Lives And The Hijacking Of Our DNA, A Probe Into What’s Probably Making Us Sick (2009) and Lord, How Can I Make It Through Grieving My Loss, An Inspirational Guide Through the Grieving Process (2008).