Guenther, Sabrina, Loebel, Madlen, Mooslechner, Agnes A et al. · Human immunology · 2015 · DOI
This study looked at immune system proteins called antibodies and a molecule called mannose binding lectin (MBL) in 300 people with ME/CFS. The researchers found that about 25% of patients had lower-than-normal levels of certain antibodies, while another 25% had higher-than-normal levels. Additionally, 15% had low MBL levels, compared to only 6% in healthy people. These immune defects were connected to frequent respiratory infections in ME/CFS patients.
Understanding immune defects in ME/CFS may explain why many patients experience recurrent infections and could guide targeted immune therapies. This work provides objective biological markers that support the infectious triggers reported by many ME/CFS patients and opens avenues for personalized treatment approaches based on individual immune profiles.
This study does not establish causation—whether immune defects cause ME/CFS or result from it. The cross-sectional design cannot determine if these immune abnormalities are primary drivers of disease or secondary effects. It also does not prove that correcting these defects would improve ME/CFS symptoms or outcomes.
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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