Brunet, J L, Liaudet, A P, Later, R et al. · Allergie et immunologie · 2001
This small study looked at whether people with ME/CFS have exaggerated immune reactions to common substances like yeast (Candida). Researchers tested this by applying yeast extract under the skin and watching for delayed reactions, then measuring immune cell activity in blood samples. About half of the ME/CFS patients showed these exaggerated reactions, suggesting the immune system may be responding unusually to everyday germs.
This research provides objective immunological markers that could help identify a subset of ME/CFS patients with specific immune dysfunction, potentially opening pathways for targeted therapeutic approaches. Understanding whether abnormal hypersensitivity responses contribute to ME/CFS pathophysiology could shift treatment paradigms from purely symptomatic management.
This study does not prove that hypersensitivity to Candida or environmental antigens causes ME/CFS fatigue. The lack of a control group, small sample size, and preliminary nature mean these findings cannot establish causality or demonstrate that this immune pattern is specific to ME/CFS rather than other conditions. Correlation between skin test intensity and T-cell activation does not explain the mechanism of fatigue itself.
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 →
The first block is for the primary paper and is the citation you should use in research work. The atlas-snapshot line only applies if you are specifically referring to this atlas’s reading of the paper on the date shown.
Primary citation
Brunet, J L, Liaudet, A P, Later, R, Peyramond, D, & Cozon, G J (2001). Delayed-type hypersensitivity and chronic fatigue syndrome: the usefulness of assessing T-cell activation by flow cytometry--preliminary study.. Allergie et immunologie. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11434196/
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-brunet-2001-delayed-type,
author = {Brunet, J L and Liaudet, A P and Later, R and Peyramond, D and Cozon, G J},
title = {Delayed-type hypersensitivity and chronic fatigue syndrome: the usefulness of assessing T-cell activation by flow cytometry--preliminary study.},
journal = {Allergie et immunologie},
year = {2001},
note = {PubMed: 11434196},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/brunet-2001-delayed-type},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/brunet-2001-delayed-type
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