Evidence browser

Detection of mycotoxins in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Brewer, Joseph H, Thrasher, Jack D, Straus, David C et al.·Toxins·2013

Researchers tested urine samples from 112 ME/CFS patients to see if they had been exposed to mycotoxins—toxic substances produced by mold found in water-damaged buildings. They found that 93% of patients had detectable mycotoxins in their urine, with most patients having been exposed to moldy buildings. When they tested urine from 55 healthy people with no mold exposure, none showed mycotoxins at detectable levels.

Antinuclear antibody detection by automated multiplex immunoassay in untreated patients at the time of diagnosis.

Op De Beéck, Katrijn, Vermeersch, Pieter, Verschueren, Patrick et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2012

This study compared two different blood tests for detecting autoantibodies (proteins the immune system makes that attack the body's own cells) in patients with various autoimmune diseases and in people with ME/CFS. The researchers found that one newer automated test missed some antibodies that an older, more traditional test detected, and that having multiple antibodies together was much more common in autoimmune disease patients than in ME/CFS patients.

No serological evidence for a role of HHV-6 infection in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Burbelo, Peter D, Bayat, Ahmad, Wagner, Jason et al.·American journal of translational research·2012

This study tested whether a virus called HHV-6 might be causing chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Researchers compared antibodies (immune system markers) against HHV-6 in people with ME/CFS and healthy controls. They found that both groups had similar levels of HHV-6 antibodies, suggesting this virus is unlikely to be a major cause of ME/CFS.

No evidence of cross-species transmission of mouse retroviruses to animal workers exposed to mice.

Brooks, James, Lycett-Lambert, Karly, Caminiti, Kyna et al.·Transfusion·2012

Researchers tested 43 people who work closely with mice to see if they had been infected with mouse viruses (XMRV and MLV) that some scientists had previously linked to ME/CFS. Using blood tests and genetic analysis, they found no evidence that these viruses had jumped from mice to humans, even among workers with high exposure.

Response to valganciclovir in chronic fatigue syndrome patients with human herpesvirus 6 and Epstein-Barr virus IgG antibody titers.

Watt, Tessa, Oberfoell, Stephanie, Balise, Raymond et al.·Journal of medical virology·2012

This study looked at whether a antiviral medication called valganciclovir could help ME/CFS patients who had high levels of antibodies to two common viruses: HHV-6 and EBV. Sixty-one patients took the medication for varying lengths of time, and about half reported at least 30% improvement in their physical energy and thinking abilities. Interestingly, the improvement didn't depend on how high their antibody levels were at the start—patients improved simply from taking the medication, and those who took it longer did better.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Confidence judgment in depression and dysphoria: the depressive realism vs. negativity hypotheses.

Szu-Ting Fu, Tiffany, Koutstaal, Wilma, Poon, Lucia et al.·Journal of behavior therapy and experimental psychiatry·2012

This study looked at how accurately people judge their own knowledge and abilities. Researchers compared three groups: healthy people, those with clinical depression, and people with chronic fatigue syndrome who felt sad or low. They found that people with depression were overly critical of themselves, while people with chronic fatigue syndrome were more realistic about their abilities—similar to healthy controls.

Cognitive Impairment

Lipid and protein oxidation in female patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tomic, Slavica, Brkic, Snezana, Maric, Daniela et al.·Archives of medical science : AMS·2012

This study looked for signs of oxidative stress—damage caused by harmful molecules in the body—in women with ME/CFS compared to healthy women. Researchers found that women with ME/CFS had higher levels of markers showing damage to fats and proteins in their blood, along with an unhealthy cholesterol pattern. These findings suggest that oxidative stress may be occurring in ME/CFS and could potentially increase heart disease risk over time.

Lyme disease in a British referral clinic.

Cottle, L E, Mekonnen, E, Beadsworth, M B J et al.·QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians·2012

This UK study looked at 115 patients who were referred to a specialist clinic because doctors suspected they had Lyme disease. The researchers found that only 23% actually had Lyme disease, while about one-third had ME/CFS instead. Importantly, some ME/CFS patients had been incorrectly told they had Lyme disease by non-specialist doctors, leading them to take unnecessary antibiotics.

Absence of evidence for bornavirus infection in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder.

Hornig, M, Briese, T, Licinio, J et al.·Molecular psychiatry·2012

Researchers tested whether a virus called Borna disease virus (BDV) might cause depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. They carefully compared blood samples from 198 patients with these conditions and 198 healthy people, looking for signs of the virus. They found no evidence that the virus was present in either group, suggesting BDV is not responsible for these psychiatric illnesses.

Patterns of food avoidance in chronic fatigue syndrome: is there a case for dietary recommendations?

Trabal, J, Leyes, P, Fernández-Solá, J et al.·Nutricion hospitalaria·2012

This study looked at what foods people with severe ME/CFS avoid eating and why. Researchers found that many patients restrict dairy and gluten, but digestive symptoms didn't actually improve when they avoided these foods. The study suggests that some dietary restrictions may be based on advice rather than actual food problems, and recommends that dietary changes should only be made when there's a proven allergy or intolerance.

E2 ModerateBehavioralPEM not requiredObservational

Alternative diagnoses to chronic fatigue syndrome in referrals to a specialist service: service evaluation survey.

Devasahayam, Anoop, Lawn, Tara, Murphy, Maurice et al.·JRSM short reports·2012

This study looked at patients referred to a specialist ME/CFS clinic to see how often doctors correctly identified ME/CFS versus other conditions. Researchers found that about half of all referred patients actually had different medical or psychiatric conditions instead of ME/CFS—most commonly sleep disorders or depression. This shows that careful specialist assessment is important to make sure patients get the right diagnosis.

Diagnostics

Telephone-based guided self-help for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: A non-randomised cohort study.

Lloyd, Samantha, Chalder, Trudie, Sallis, Hannah M et al.·Behaviour research and therapy·2012

This study tested whether teenagers with chronic fatigue syndrome could benefit from a short telephone-based self-help program based on cognitive-behavioural therapy principles. Sixty-three adolescents received six sessions over three months, with follow-up support. Six months after treatment, participants reported significantly less fatigue and attended school more often, suggesting this simple intervention may help some young people with CFS.

[Effects of tuina on the mechanical properties of skeletal muscles of four limbs in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome].

Liu, Kun-Peng, Fang, Min, Jiang, Shu-Yun·Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi jiehe zazhi = Chinese journal of integrated traditional and Western medicine·2012

This study tested whether tuina (a traditional Chinese massage therapy) could help ME/CFS patients regain muscle strength and reduce fatigue. Sixty people participated—30 with ME/CFS and 30 healthy controls. After 10 sessions of tuina therapy, ME/CFS patients showed improvements in muscle strength measurements and reported feeling less fatigued, though their muscles remained weaker than those of healthy people.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and subsequent risk of cancer among elderly US adults.

Chang, Cindy M, Warren, Joan L, Engels, Eric A·Cancer·2012

Researchers investigated whether people with ME/CFS have a higher risk of developing cancer. Using medical records from over 1.2 million elderly Americans, they found that people with ME/CFS had a slightly increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (a blood cancer), particularly certain subtypes. The study does not prove that ME/CFS causes cancer, but suggests that shared immune system problems or infections might explain the connection.

Neurohumoral and haemodynamic profile in postural tachycardia and chronic fatigue syndromes.

Okamoto, Luis E, Raj, Satish R, Peltier, Amanda et al.·Clinical science (London, England : 1979)·2012

This study looked at patients with POTS (a condition where heart rate increases too much when standing) to see how many also have ME/CFS and whether they are different from POTS patients without ME/CFS. The researchers found that most POTS patients experience severe fatigue, and about two-thirds also meet ME/CFS criteria. Those with both conditions had stronger heart rate increases when standing and signs of greater stress hormone activity.

Autonomic Nervous System

Cytokine expression profiles of immune imbalance in post-mononucleosis chronic fatigue.

Broderick, Gordon, Katz, Ben Z, Fernandes, Henrique et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2012

This study followed 301 teenagers who had infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) for two years. Some developed ME/CFS after their infection while others recovered completely. Researchers measured multiple immune molecules called cytokines in the blood to see if they could identify a pattern that distinguishes people with post-infectious ME/CFS from those who fully recovered.

Xenotropic and polytropic murine leukemia virus-related sequences are not detected in the majority of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Paolucci, Stefania, Piralla, Antonio, Zanello, Cinzia et al.·The new microbiologica·2012

This study looked for two viruses (XMRV and MLV-related viruses) that had been suggested as possible causes of ME/CFS. Researchers tested 12 ME/CFS patients and 40 healthy control subjects. They found these viruses in only 2 of the 12 patients, while all controls tested negative. The results suggest these viruses are not common in ME/CFS patients, and previous reports of finding them may have been due to laboratory contamination with mouse DNA.