Kitani, T, Kuratsune, H, Fuke, I et al. · Microbiology and immunology · 1996 · DOI
This 1996 study investigated whether a virus called Borna disease virus (BDV) might be connected to chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Borna disease virus naturally infects animals like horses and sheep, and researchers found evidence of this virus or antibodies to it in some ME/CFS patients. The study suggests there may be a link between BDV infection and ME/CFS symptoms, though more research is needed to understand if and how this virus contributes to the condition.
This research is relevant because it proposes a potential infectious trigger for ME/CFS, which could help explain the condition's pathophysiology if confirmed. Understanding whether viruses like BDV play a role in ME/CFS could lead to new diagnostic tests and targeted treatment approaches for patients seeking answers about their illness.
This study does not prove that BDV causes ME/CFS; it only suggests a possible correlation. The observational design means there is no control group, so the prevalence of BDV in ME/CFS patients cannot be compared to unaffected populations. The study also cannot distinguish between active infection, past exposure, or incidental viral presence, nor does it establish whether BDV is a cause, contributing factor, or consequence of ME/CFS.
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
Kitani, T, Kuratsune, H, Fuke, I, Nakamura, Y, Nakaya, T, Asahi, S, et al. (1996). Possible correlation between Borna disease virus infection and Japanese patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.. Microbiology and immunology. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1348-0421.1996.tb01094.x
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-kitani-1996-possible-correlation,
author = {Kitani, T and Kuratsune, H and Fuke, I and Nakamura, Y and Nakaya, T and Asahi, S and Tobiume, M and Yamaguti, K and Machii, T and Inagi, R and Yamanishi, K and Ikuta, K},
title = {Possible correlation between Borna disease virus infection and Japanese patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.},
journal = {Microbiology and immunology},
year = {1996},
doi = {10.1111/j.1348-0421.1996.tb01094.x},
note = {PubMed: 8839433},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/kitani-1996-possible-correlation},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/kitani-1996-possible-correlation
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