Evidence browser

No difference in serum levels of B-cell activating receptor and antibodies against cytolethal distending toxin B and flagellin in post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome after Giardia infection.

Hanevik, Kurt, Saghaug, Christina, Aaland, Maren et al.·JGH open : an open access journal of gastroenterology and hepatology·2022

This study looked for three potential biological markers (BAFF, anti-CdtB, and anti-flagellin antibodies) in the blood of people who developed ME/CFS and/or IBS after a Giardia infection. Researchers compared these markers in patients to healthy controls but found no significant differences between the groups. The findings suggest these three markers are not useful for diagnosing ME/CFS or IBS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Undetected Jawbone Marrow Defects as Inflammatory and Degenerative Signaling Pathways: Chemokine RANTES/CCL5 as a Possible Link Between the Jawbone and Systemic Interactions?

Lechner, Johann, Schmidt, Marlene, von Baehr, Volker et al.·Journal of inflammation research·2021

This study examined jawbone abnormalities in 301 patients with various chronic illnesses, including ME/CFS. Researchers found that patients with bone loss in the jawbone had elevated levels of a chemical messenger called RANTES/CCL5, which promotes inflammation. These findings were consistent across all disease groups studied, suggesting that jawbone problems may contribute to systemic inflammation in multiple conditions.

Are Circulating Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and N-Terminal Prohormone of Brain Natriuretic Peptide Promising Novel Biomarkers in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Domingo, Joan Carles, Cordobilla, Begoña, Ferrer, Roser et al.·Antioxidants & redox signaling·2021

This study looked for new blood markers that could help identify ME/CFS by measuring two proteins called FGF21 and NT-proBNP in patients and healthy people. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients had significantly higher levels of both proteins and showed signs of increased inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage). These findings suggest these proteins might be useful tools for diagnosing ME/CFS or developing new treatments.

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia-like symptoms are an integral component of the phenome of schizophrenia: neuro-immune and opioid system correlates.

Mousa, Rana Fadhil, Al-Hakeim, Hussein Kadhem, Alhaideri, Amer et al.·Metabolic brain disease·2021

This study looked at whether people with schizophrenia experience fatigue and pain symptoms similar to ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Researchers measured blood markers related to immune system function and found that specific immune proteins and opioid system changes were associated with these physiosomatic symptoms. The findings suggest that abnormal immune activity and changes in the body's natural pain-relieving systems may contribute to these exhaustion and pain symptoms in schizophrenia patients.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Risks for Developing Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in College Students Following Infectious Mononucleosis: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Jason, Leonard A, Cotler, Joseph, Islam, Mohammed F et al.·Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America·2021

This study followed college students to see who developed ME/CFS after getting infectious mononucleosis (mono). Researchers found that about 23% of students who got mono later met criteria for ME/CFS within 6 months. Before getting mono, students who later developed ME/CFS had more physical symptoms and certain immune markers that were different from those who recovered, but they didn't have more stress, anxiety, or depression.

Recursive ensemble feature selection provides a robust mRNA expression signature for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Metselaar, Paula I, Mendoza-Maldonado, Lucero, Li Yim, Andrew Yung Fong et al.·Scientific reports·2021

Researchers found a set of 23 genes in blood cells that could reliably identify people with ME/CFS. By looking at both gene activity and chemical markers on genes, they developed a test that correctly identified ME/CFS patients about 92-97% of the time. This is important because there's currently no reliable blood test to diagnose ME/CFS.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

How peptic ulcer disease could potentially lead to the lifelong, debilitating effects of chronic fatigue syndrome: an insight.

Kuo, Chien-Feng, Shi, Leiyu, Lin, Cheng-Li et al.·Scientific reports·2021

This study looked at whether people who have had peptic ulcers (stomach ulcers often caused by H. pylori bacteria) are at higher risk of developing ME/CFS. Researchers compared hospital records from Taiwan for people with and without peptic ulcers over many years. They found that people with a history of peptic ulcers were about twice as likely to develop ME/CFS, with higher risk in women and older adults.

Lowered serum cesium levels in schizophrenia: association with immune-inflammatory biomarkers and cognitive impairments.

Almulla, Abbas F, Moustafa, Shatha R, Al-Dujaili, Arafat H et al.·Revista brasileira de psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999)·2021

This study looked at a mineral called cesium in the blood of people with schizophrenia and compared it to healthy people. They found that people with schizophrenia had lower cesium levels, and this was connected to cognitive problems (like memory and thinking difficulties), fatigue symptoms, and signs of immune system activity. The researchers suggest that low cesium might contribute to some of the symptoms seen in schizophrenia.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredLongitudinal

Inflammation-type dysbiosis of the oral microbiome associates with the duration of COVID-19 symptoms and long COVID.

Haran, John P, Bradley, Evan, Zeamer, Abigail L et al.·JCI insight·2021

This study looked at bacteria in the mouth of people with COVID-19 to understand why some people develop long COVID. Researchers found that people with long COVID had higher levels of inflammation-causing bacteria, particularly types called Prevotella and Veillonella. Interestingly, the oral bacteria patterns in long COVID patients resembled those seen in chronic fatigue syndrome patients, suggesting the microbiome may play a role in prolonged illness.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Autoimmunity and Related Impairment of Hormone Secretions in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

De Bellis, Annamaria, Bellastella, Giuseppe, Pernice, Vlenia et al.·The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism·2021

This study looked for specific immune system antibodies that attack the pituitary and hypothalamus—two small brain structures that control hormone production—in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found these antibodies in more than half of ME/CFS patients but none in healthy controls. Patients with these antibodies had lower levels of important hormones (like cortisol and growth hormone), and those with the highest antibody levels had the most severe ME/CFS symptoms.

The antinuclear antibody dense fine speckled pattern and possible clinical associations: An indication of a proinflammatory microenvironment.

Lundgren, Mia C, Sapkota, Smarika, Peterson, Daniel J et al.·Journal of immunological methods·2021

This study looked at 425 patients who tested positive for a specific antibody pattern called ANA-DFS on a common autoimmune screening test. The researchers wanted to understand what conditions this pattern is associated with. They found that while some patients had known autoimmune diseases, many others had chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, skin problems, or allergic conditions, suggesting this antibody pattern may indicate a generally inflamed immune system rather than one specific disease.

Co-occurrence of immune-mediated conditions and endometriosis among adolescents and adult women.

Shafrir, Amy L, Palmor, Marissa C, Fourquet, Jessica et al.·American journal of reproductive immunology (New York, N.Y. : 1989)·2021

This study looked at whether young women and adolescents with endometriosis (a painful condition where tissue grows outside the uterus) are more likely to have immune system problems like allergies, asthma, or chronic fatigue. Researchers compared 551 women with surgically confirmed endometriosis to 652 women without it and found that those with endometriosis were significantly more likely to have chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or a history of mononucleosis. The more immune-related conditions a woman had, the higher her chances of also having endometriosis.

Evaluating Routine Blood Tests According to Clinical Symptoms and Diagnostic Criteria in Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Baklund, Ingrid H, Dammen, Toril, Moum, Torbjørn Åge et al.·Journal of clinical medicine·2021

Researchers compared blood test results from 149 ME/CFS patients with 264 healthy people to look for differences. They found that ME/CFS patients had higher levels of inflammation markers and certain blood cells, along with lower potassium and muscle enzyme levels. These differences suggest that ME/CFS may involve both inflammation and possible muscle or metabolic problems.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Delineating the Association Between Soluble CD26 and Autoantibodies Against G-Protein Coupled Receptors, Immunological and Cardiovascular Parameters Identifies Distinct Patterns in Post-Infectious vs. Non-Infection-Triggered Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Szklarski, Marvin, Freitag, Helma, Lorenz, Sebastian et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2021

This study looked at a protein called sCD26 in people with ME/CFS to understand how it relates to immune system problems and heart function issues. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS triggered by an infection had different patterns of immune problems linked to low sCD26 levels compared to people whose ME/CFS started without an infection. The findings suggest that infection-related and non-infection-related ME/CFS may involve different biological mechanisms.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Sex-specific plasma lipid profiles of ME/CFS patients and their association with pain, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms.

Nkiliza, Aurore, Parks, Megan, Cseresznye, Adam et al.·Journal of translational medicine·2021

This study analyzed fatty substances in the blood of ME/CFS patients and healthy controls to see if they differ in ways that might explain symptoms. Researchers found that men and women with ME/CFS had different patterns of these blood fats compared to healthy people. Importantly, certain blood fats were connected to the severity of fatigue, headaches, and thinking difficulties, suggesting that problems with how the body processes fats may play a role in ME/CFS symptoms.

BiomarkersEnergy MetabolismImmune System

Skewing of the B cell receptor repertoire in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Sato, Wakiro, Ono, Hirohiko, Matsutani, Takaji et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2021

This study looked at immune cells called B cells in people with ME/CFS and compared them to healthy people. The researchers found that ME/CFS patients have an unusual pattern of B cells—certain types are overrepresented while others are underrepresented. These abnormal B cell patterns were especially strong in patients whose ME/CFS started after an infection, suggesting the immune system may be stuck responding to something from that earlier infection.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM requiredCase-Control

Fine mapping of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) suggests involvement of both HLA class I and class II loci.

Hajdarevic, Riad, Lande, Asgeir, Rekeland, Ingrid et al.·Brain, behavior, and immunity·2021

This study looked at genes related to the immune system in people with ME/CFS to understand why some people develop the condition. Researchers compared genetic markers in 427 Norwegian ME/CFS patients with 480 healthy controls and found two specific genetic regions associated with ME/CFS—one involving immune system genes that present antigens to cells, and another in a different immune region. These findings suggest the immune system's ability to recognize and respond to threats may play a role in ME/CFS.

Sex-Based Differences in Plasma Autoantibodies to Central Nervous System Proteins in Gulf War Veterans versus Healthy and Symptomatic Controls.

Abou-Donia, Mohamed B, Krengel, Maxine H, Lapadula, Elizabeth S et al.·Brain sciences·2021

Researchers found that Gulf War veterans with Gulf War illness have abnormal immune proteins in their blood that attack brain cells, and these patterns differ between men and women. The study also found that these same immune markers can help distinguish Gulf War illness from other similar conditions like ME/CFS and IBS. This discovery is important because it offers a possible objective blood test that doctors could use to identify and diagnose these difficult-to-recognize illnesses.

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearLongitudinal

Salivary DNA Loads for Human Herpesviruses 6 and 7 Are Correlated With Disease Phenotype in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Lee, Ji-Sook, Lacerda, Eliana M, Nacul, Luis et al.·Frontiers in medicine·2021

This study tested saliva samples from people with ME/CFS and healthy people to measure levels of common viruses that stay dormant in the body. Researchers found that two viruses (HHV-6B and HHV-7) were present at higher levels in people with ME/CFS, especially in those whose viral levels went up and down over time. Importantly, when these viral levels were higher, patients reported worse symptoms like pain, brain fog, and heart/blood pressure problems.