Hanson, Maureen R · PLoS pathogens · 2023 · DOI
This review examines the evidence that viral infections may trigger or contribute to ME/CFS. Researchers looked at how viruses could potentially cause the long-lasting fatigue, pain, and other symptoms that define this condition. The study explores possible mechanisms by which a viral infection might set off a chain of events leading to ME/CFS.
Understanding whether and how viruses trigger ME/CFS is crucial for developing targeted treatments and identifying preventive strategies. This synthesis of mechanistic evidence helps establish whether viral infection represents a true causal factor or an associated factor, which would reshape research priorities and clinical approaches.
This review does not prove that all ME/CFS cases have a viral origin, nor does it establish that any single virus is necessary or sufficient to cause the condition. The mechanistic evidence presented suggests biological plausibility but does not constitute definitive proof of causation in human populations.
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
Hanson, Maureen R (2023). The viral origin of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.. PLoS pathogens. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011523
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-hanson-2023-viral-origin,
author = {Hanson, Maureen R},
title = {The viral origin of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.},
journal = {PLoS pathogens},
year = {2023},
doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1011523},
note = {PubMed: 37590180},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/hanson-2023-viral-origin},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/hanson-2023-viral-origin
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