Scheurlen, M · Fortschritte der Medizin · 1996
Some people believe that yeast infections in the gut, particularly from a fungus called Candida, might cause chronic fatigue syndrome and other long-term illnesses by producing harmful toxins. However, experts disagree about whether this theory is actually true. This editorial explains that while the idea is interesting, there isn't enough solid scientific evidence yet to prove it works or to recommend yeast-fighting treatments based on this theory alone.
This editorial directly addresses a commonly discussed potential cause of ME/CFS symptoms (intestinal fungal infection) and highlights the lack of scientific proof for this explanation. For ME/CFS patients who have pursued antifungal treatments, this critical analysis shows why the medical community remains skeptical without stronger evidence.
This editorial does not prove that fungi cause ME/CFS or that antifungal treatments are ineffective; rather, it documents that evidence is currently insufficient either way. It does not rule out fungal involvement in a subset of patients, only that claims lack adequate controlled study support. The absence of evidence is not presented as evidence of absence.
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
Scheurlen, M (1996). [Pathogenicity of fungi in the intestines--current status of the discussion].. Fortschritte der Medizin. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8999002/
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-scheurlen-1996-pathogenicity-fungi,
author = {Scheurlen, M},
title = {[Pathogenicity of fungi in the intestines--current status of the discussion].},
journal = {Fortschritte der Medizin},
year = {1996},
note = {PubMed: 8999002},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/scheurlen-1996-pathogenicity-fungi},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/scheurlen-1996-pathogenicity-fungi
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