Martin, W J, Ahmed, K N, Zeng, L C et al. · Clinical and diagnostic virology · 1995 · DOI
Researchers found a virus in a chronic fatigue syndrome patient that resembled cytomegalovirus but had unusual characteristics. By comparing the virus's genetic code to known viruses in databases, they discovered it was most similar to a virus found in African green monkeys, suggesting this may be its original source.
This research contributes to understanding potential infectious triggers or cofactors in ME/CFS pathogenesis by identifying a novel cytomegalovirus-like agent and its evolutionary origins. Identifying the source and nature of viruses detected in ME/CFS patients may eventually help clarify disease mechanisms and inform future diagnostic or therapeutic approaches.
This study does not establish that this stealth virus causes ME/CFS or that it is present in the general ME/CFS population—it describes a single case finding. The presence of a viral sequence does not prove active infection or pathogenic causation, and no causal link between the virus and disease symptoms is demonstrated. The study also does not explain how or when a patient might be exposed to African green monkey viruses.
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
Martin, W J, Ahmed, K N, Zeng, L C, Olsen, J C, Seward, J G, & Seehrai, J S (1995). African green monkey origin of the atypical cytopathic 'stealth virus' isolated from a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome.. Clinical and diagnostic virology. https://doi.org/10.1016/0928-0197(95)00020-9
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-martin-1995-african-green,
author = {Martin, W J and Ahmed, K N and Zeng, L C and Olsen, J C and Seward, J G and Seehrai, J S},
title = {African green monkey origin of the atypical cytopathic 'stealth virus' isolated from a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome.},
journal = {Clinical and diagnostic virology},
year = {1995},
doi = {10.1016/0928-0197(95)00020-9},
note = {PubMed: 15566831},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/martin-1995-african-green},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-25. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/martin-1995-african-green
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