Posted by Librarian on 3/24/2002, 8:32 am

January 10, 2002 Thank you for your recent letter about a possible new disease called "Elliot's Disease". The disease as you describe it appears to be a skin condition and may share some symptoms with delusional parasitosis. You expressed concern that the disease is not publicly acknowledged, is not treated appropriately by the medical profession, and sometimes is not treated at all. Unfortunately, this dilemma is not unique and is shared by many very rare diseases and conditions when they first emerge. We thoroughly reviewed the existing scientific literature to learn as much as we could. It appears that currently there is no published research in the scientific literature. Our staff checked with the director of the National Pediculosis Association and she told us that the association she represents has studied the disease with a physician at one of the State Health Departments. We also contacted this person. It appears that the research showed preliminary evidence of a soil dwelling insect, collembola, in association with the skin lesions in some of the patients. We were also informed that a research paper describing the findings is in preparation. The publication of these initial findings in the medical literature will be a very important first step in the possible characterization of this condition. Publication of new findings in the peer reviewed literature can serve as a stimulus for additional research. We will be happy to talk to you after the publication of this paper. If this condition indeed represents a new emerging infection, you may also want to further explore the issue with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We are aware that you contacted that organization at the same time as you wrote to the National Institutes of Health. Our office can be reached at 301-402-4336, or you can reach me via E-mail at hh70f@nih.gov <mailto:hh70f@nih.gov> . Sincerely yours, Henrietta D. Hyatt-Knorr Acting Director Office of Rare Diseases