Fluoroquinolones and Autism

I am writing to respectfully suggest that the researchers at ______ look into fluoroquinolone antibiotics as a potential cause of Autism.  The reasons for my belief that fluoroquinolone antibiotics, Cipro, Levaquin and Avelox, are behind the drastic increase in Autism rates in the U.S. over the past 30 years are as follows:

1.  This study in Nature points out that topoisomerase interrupters profoundly influence the expression of autism related genes – http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v501/n7465/full/nature12504.html.  As I’m sure you know, fluoroquinolone antibiotics are topoisomerase interrupters.  Here is a post that I wrote making some connections between the article and fluoroquinolone antibiotics – http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/09/18/a-horrifying-cause-of-autism-dna-damage-from-synthetic-antibiotics/

2.  The above study notes that topoisomerase interrupters profoundly influence autism related genes, but the questions of how and what the implications are remain.  Please note that the following article notes that quinolones adduct to bacterial DNA – http://www.jbc.org/content/273/42/27668.full.  So the effect on DNA is more similar to that of Agent Orange than, say, the effect that broccoli has on gene expression.  Here is a blog post (not written by me) about this – http://www.myquinstory.info/fluoroquinolones-and-dna-adduction/

3.  The attached note from retired toxicologist, gives some preliminary information about how fluoroquinolones effect human DNA and the tests that can be performed to show the damage done.

4.  The rates of autism have gone up hand-in-hand with increased fluoroquinolone use.  Cipro was patented in 1983.  The rate of use of fluoroquinolones increased exponentially after the 2001 Anthrax scare.  This correlation, of course, does not prove causation, but it is important when combined with the notes above.

5.  The CNS related adverse effects are both severe and long-lasting.  I am happy to tell you more about this.  A basic and incomplete list of CNS effects of fluoroquinolones can be found on the FDA warning label for Cipro – http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/019537s082,020780s040lbl.pdf

6.  there has been a persistent association between mitochondrial damage and autism.  Fluoroquinolone antibiotics damage mitochondria.  Here are some articles about the damage that fluoroquinolones to to mitochondria:

Assumptions about the safety of fluoroquinolone antibiotics have been made so many times that they are thought of as truth.  In reality, fluoroquinolones are dangerous drugs that adversely effect every nerve in the body and every piece of connective tissue.  If it is proven definitively that these already dangerous drugs are altering our DNA, the absurdity of their over-use will be amplified exponentially.

The most useful information that I have found regarding fluoroquinolones can be found on the Links & Resources page of Floxie Hope.  www.floxiehope.com is my blog.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if there is anything that I can do to be of assistance.

Thank you,

Lisa Bloomquist