Editors:
The AP will publish a series from Nov. 6 through Nov. 20 about autoimmune diseases called:
Inside Job: When The Body Attacks Itself
The human immune system is a complex, adaptive and intricate army, full of sentinels, signaling systems, defenders and attackers. It is critical to our survival as individuals and as a species. But it is not perfect. It can mistake the body’s own cells and tissues for an enemy, turning the body’s greatest power against itself. These autoimmune diseases are incredibly common – there are more than 100 of them and it is estimated that up to 8% of the world’s population has one – and they are impossible to cure. But new discoveries are helping researchers finally get closer to curing, not just treating, some of these terrible diseases.
Plans are also available in Coverage Plan on AP Newsroom. Please contact Health & Science Editor Jon Fahey (jfahey@ap.org) with questions.
MED--Autoimmune Diseases
Doctor after doctor misdiagnosed or shrugged off Ruth Wilson’s rashes, swelling, fevers and severe pain for six years. She saved her life by begging for one more test in an emergency room about to send her home, again, without answers. Wilson has lupus, nicknamed the disease of 1,000 faces for its variety of symptoms. Researchers are finally starting to unravel the mysteries of autoimmune diseases.
With
1. AP Photo Essay based on time spent with lupus patient Ruth Wilson
2. AP Video, broadcast and online edits
3. MED--Be Well-Autoimmune Diseases: What to know about autoimmune diseases (This will be updated and republished throughout the series)
MED--Autoimmune Diseases-New Treatments
Scientists are trying are trying a revolutionary new approach to attack the root causes — and not just the symptoms — of lupus, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. The idea is to reprogram out-of-whack immune systems to keep them from attacking patients’ own bodies.
WITH
4. AP Video — Animated video explainer of a treatment known as CAR-T
5. AP Video — Broadcast edit of researchers working on new treatments
6. Photo Essay -- Disease Detectives. Portraits of researchers trying to understand the root causes of autoimmune diseases
MED--Autoimmune Diseases-Children
Autoimmune diseases in children are different -- and often more severe. AP visited kids a special summer camp that allows them to be kids.
WITH
7. AP Video of kids at camp, broadcast and online edits
8. AP Photo Essay: Kids at Camp
MED--Autoimmune Diseases-Brain
Sometimes, the immune system attacks the brain. The consequences can be devastating, including psychosis other neurological problems. Doctors are now getting better at identifying and treading these cases. Christy Morrill was able to get most of his life back, but the disease left him with a decades-long hole in his memory.
WITH
AP Video — Animated video explainer about autoimmune encephalitis
AP Video — Online and broadcast edit exploring Christy Morrill's extraordinary experience with autoimmune encephalitis
AP Photos of Christy and his family, and other autoimmune encephalitis patients
