Straus, S E · Ciba Foundation symposium · 1993 · DOI
This review examined whether common viruses in the herpesvirus family (like Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus 6) cause ME/CFS. Researchers found that while some ME/CFS patients have higher levels of antibodies to these viruses and some cases may start after herpesvirus infection, these viruses are likely not the main cause of the illness for most people.
Understanding potential viral triggers and associations is crucial for ME/CFS patients seeking explanations for their illness onset and for researchers investigating disease mechanisms. This systematic review provides important context about the limitations of herpesvirus theories, helping patients and clinicians avoid false hopes from unproven viral-focused treatments while remaining open to further investigation.
This review does not prove that herpesviruses play no role in ME/CFS, nor does it establish that viral associations are merely coincidental. It also does not address whether specific viral reactivation patterns might affect individual patients or whether herpesviruses contribute to a subset of cases. The 1993 publication predates modern immunological and molecular techniques that might reveal more subtle viral associations.
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
Straus, S E (1993). Studies of herpesvirus infection in chronic fatigue syndrome.. Ciba Foundation symposium. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470514382.ch8
BibTeX
@article{mecfsatlas-straus-1993-studies-herpesvirus,
author = {Straus, S E},
title = {Studies of herpesvirus infection in chronic fatigue syndrome.},
journal = {Ciba Foundation symposium},
year = {1993},
doi = {10.1002/9780470514382.ch8},
note = {PubMed: 8387907},
url = {https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/straus-1993-studies-herpesvirus},
}Atlas snapshot reference
ME/CFS Atlas. Generator v1 / Scanner v1.4 / policy v0.1. Accessed 2026-05-30. https://www.mecfsatlas.com/evidence/straus-1993-studies-herpesvirus
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