I am writing in response to the issue on pancreatitis in WDDTY, vol 8, no 8. I have heard there has been a lot of success in placebo-controlled trials of patients with recurrent non-gallstone pancreatitis.

Apparently these patients have a deficiency of several antioxidants. Therefore, there has been some success using a combination called Bioantox, which has trace elements of selenium in combination with amino-acid methionine and antioxidant vitamins C and E.

According to Dr Leach of The Regional Drug Information Service and Dr Braganza of the Pancreato-Biliary Service, both based in Manchester, this preparation allows a substantial reduction in the intake of daily tablets.

Also, on the subject of scleroderma, I have heard there have been good results in the United States, with griseofulvin (an antifungal). I have read in Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients (Dec 1997) that autoimmune disease may be linked to mycoplasma and respond to antibiotics (doxycycline, ciprofloxacin).

I have also read in Eat Right For Your Body Type by P. D'Adamo that autoimmune problems stem from eating a diet incompatible with your blood group. Accounts of people reversing an autoimmune condition are posted on the author's website (www.dadamo.com).- Jim Byrne, Liverpool.