In This Issue

Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt MD, PhD is a practicing physician in Kirkland, Washington with a focus on the treatment of chronic neurological conditions such as Lyme disease, autism, and CFIDS. In the many years that he has treated patients with chronic infections, he has observed that, for many, recovery is elusive. Patients may often plateau or find that their recovery is stalled. In other cases, patients may not succeed in their attempts to rid the body of a particular toxic or infectious burden; such as in patients with long-standing or therapy-resistant late stage Lyme disease. In looking for possible explanations as to why some patients struggle more than others to regain their health, Dr. Klinghardt has found a high correlation between patients with chronic Lyme disease and those with Kryptopyrroluria (KPU), or more precisely Hemopyrrollactamuria (HPU). The condition is alternatively known as the "Mauve Factor" or "Malvaria". HPU may be an inherited condition but it can also be induced by childhood psychological trauma or chronic infections. The HPU complex is a biochemical marker and neurotoxic substance frequently identified in the urine of patients with autism, learning disabilities, alcoholism, substance abuse, schizophrenia, ADHD, Down syndrome, depression, bipolar disorders, and even criminal behavior. Some estimate the incidence of KPU to be 40-70% in schizophrenia; 50% in autism; 30% in ADHD; and 40-80% in alcoholism and substance abuse. Dr. Klinghardt has found the incidence of HPU in Lyme disease to be 80% or higher; in patients with heavy metal toxicity (lead, mercury, cadmium, and others) over 75%; and in children with autism over 80%. These are very significant percentages of the patient population with chronic illness that may benefit from a treatment program which addresses HPU. Normal, healthy controls do not test positive for HPU.