König, Rahel S, Albrich, Werner C, Kahlert, Christian R et al. · Frontiers in immunology · 2021 · DOI
This review examines whether changes in gut bacteria might contribute to ME/CFS. The authors suggest that lifetime antibiotic use could alter the balance of gut microbes, which might then affect the gut barrier, brain function, and energy production in cells. They propose several potential treatment approaches like probiotics and dietary changes, but emphasize that much more research is needed to understand if gut bacteria actually cause ME/CFS or simply change as a result of the disease.
ME/CFS lacks validated diagnostic markers and proven therapies, making investigation of the microbiome-disease axis potentially valuable for identifying new diagnostic and treatment targets. Understanding whether early-life antibiotic exposure and dysbiosis contribute to ME/CFS pathogenesis could inform preventive strategies and personalized interventions for patients.
This systematic review establishes plausibility and correlation between microbiome alterations and ME/CFS, but does not prove causation. The study cannot establish whether dysbiosis causes ME/CFS, results from ME/CFS, or represents an independent consequence of shared etiologic factors. No clinical efficacy data are presented for proposed interventions.
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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