Ariza, Maria Eugenia · Biomolecules · 2021 · DOI
This review examines whether certain viruses, particularly Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), may play a role in ME/CFS. Earlier research on this topic produced mixed results, leading some scientists to think viruses weren't involved. However, newer research methods have found that specific proteins made by EBV could contribute to immune system and nervous system problems in some ME/CFS patients.
Finding the cause of ME/CFS is crucial for developing treatments and diagnostic tests. If human herpesviruses do trigger ME/CFS in some patients, this could open new avenues for targeted therapies and help identify which patients might benefit from antiviral approaches.
This review does not prove that herpesvirus infection causes ME/CFS in all patients, nor does it establish that antiviral treatments will be effective. The presence of viral proteins does not necessarily mean they are the primary driver of disease—correlation with abnormal immune responses does not confirm causation. The findings appear relevant only to a subgroup of ME/CFS patients, not the entire ME/CFS population.
About the PEM badge: “PEM required” means post-exertional malaise was an explicit required diagnostic criterion for participant inclusion in this study — not that PEM was studied, observed, or discussed. Studies using criteria that do not require PEM (e.g. Fukuda, Oxford) are tagged “PEM not required”. How the atlas works →
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Primary citation
Ariza, Maria Eugenia (2021). Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Human Herpesviruses Are Back!. Biomolecules. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11020185
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-ariza-2021-myalgic-encephalomyelitis,
author = {Ariza, Maria Eugenia},
title = {Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Human Herpesviruses Are Back!},
journal = {Biomolecules},
year = {2021},
doi = {10.3390/biom11020185},
note = {PubMed: 33572802},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/ariza-2021-myalgic-encephalomyelitis},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/ariza-2021-myalgic-encephalomyelitis
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