Martin, W J · Pathobiology : journal of immunopathology, molecular and cellular biology · 1996 · DOI
Researchers found an unusual virus in the spinal fluid of a patient with severe brain inflammation and psychiatric symptoms. This virus was similar to one previously found in a chronic fatigue syndrome patient. The study suggests that certain viruses might be responsible for various brain-related illnesses.
This finding is significant because it identifies a potential viral agent that may cause brain inflammation and dysfunction in ME/CFS and related conditions. If stealth viruses contribute to ME/CFS pathology, this could open new avenues for diagnostic testing and antiviral treatment approaches.
This single case report does not prove that stealth viruses cause ME/CFS or that they are common in the condition. It does not establish causation or prevalence, nor does it confirm the vaccine origin hypothesis. The similarity between viruses in two patients does not demonstrate a mechanistic link to disease pathogenesis.
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 (1996). Simian cytomegalovirus-related stealth virus isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with bipolar psychosis and acute encephalopathy.. Pathobiology : journal of immunopathology, molecular and cellular biology. https://doi.org/10.1159/000164010
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-martin-1996-simian-cytomegalovirus,
author = {Martin, W J},
title = {Simian cytomegalovirus-related stealth virus isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient with bipolar psychosis and acute encephalopathy.},
journal = {Pathobiology : journal of immunopathology, molecular and cellular biology},
year = {1996},
doi = {10.1159/000164010},
note = {PubMed: 8888270},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/martin-1996-simian-cytomegalovirus},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-28. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/martin-1996-simian-cytomegalovirus
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