Evidence browser

Apobec 3G efficiently reduces infectivity of the human exogenous gammaretrovirus XMRV.

Stieler, Kristin, Fischer, Nicole·PloS one·2010

This study examined how a virus called XMRV (which has been suspected in ME/CFS) interacts with human immune defense proteins called Apobec3 proteins. Researchers found that one specific immune protein, called A3G, is very effective at stopping XMRV from infecting cells and spreading. Interestingly, cancer cells that are easily infected by XMRV don't produce much of this protective A3G protein.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI): from molecular epidemiology to molecular medicine.

De Luca, C, Scordo, G, Cesareo, E et al.·Indian journal of experimental biology·2010

Some people with ME/CFS and related conditions may have difficulty processing chemicals, metals, and other substances they encounter in the environment because of inherited or acquired differences in how their bodies handle these toxins. This review suggests that genetic variations affecting enzymes responsible for detoxifying chemicals, combined with problems in the body's antioxidant systems, might explain why some people react strongly to very small amounts of environmental exposures. Understanding these biological mechanisms could help develop personalized treatments.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Making the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalitis in primary care: a qualitative study.

Chew-Graham, Carolyn, Dowrick, Christopher, Wearden, Alison et al.·BMC family practice·2010

This study asked 22 general practitioners (GPs) about their experiences diagnosing ME/CFS in their clinics. GPs said they find it hard to understand what ME/CFS is, and they typically focus on ruling out other diseases rather than confidently saying a patient has ME/CFS. Many GPs worried that giving someone an ME/CFS diagnosis might actually harm them, and they weren't sure what to do to help these patients once diagnosed.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Short QT interval in clinical practice.

Bjerregaard, Preben, Nallapaneni, Hari, Gussak, Ihor·Journal of electrocardiology·2010

This review article discusses a heart rhythm pattern called a 'short QT interval' that doctors can see on heart electrical recordings (EKGs). The authors note that while this pattern is rare, it can sometimes be dangerous and increase the risk of sudden cardiac death. They found that short QT intervals have been reported in patients with ME/CFS, along with several other medical conditions, though we still don't fully understand what it means or how to best manage patients who have it.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearObservational

[Effect of electroacupuncture at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) on the event-related potentials of chronic fatigue syndrome].

Cheng, Ci-Song, Zhu, Yi-Hui, Liang, Fan-Rong et al.·Zhongguo zhen jiu = Chinese acupuncture & moxibustion·2010

This study looked at whether acupuncture can help ME/CFS patients by examining brain wave patterns that reflect attention and thinking. Researchers compared brain signals in healthy people and ME/CFS patients at different times of day, then treated some ME/CFS patients with acupuncture. They found that acupuncture helped restore normal daily rhythms in brain activity and improved daytime thinking ability.

Cognitive Impairment

Severity of symptom flare after moderate exercise is linked to cytokine activity in chronic fatigue syndrome.

White, Andrea T, Light, Alan R, Hughen, Ronald W et al.·Psychophysiology·2010

This study looked at why some people with ME/CFS feel much worse after exercise. Researchers measured immune chemicals in the blood before and after moderate exercise in people with ME/CFS and healthy controls. They found that patients who experienced severe symptom flare had increased levels of certain immune chemicals 8 hours after exercise, while those with mild flare or healthy people did not show this pattern.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia syndrome: a discussion of the syndrome and pharmacotherapy.

Smith, Howard S, Barkin, Robert L·American journal of therapeutics·2010

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain throughout the body, along with fatigue, sleep problems, brain fog, and mood changes. This article explains that fibromyalgia may share common features with ME/CFS and other conditions involving heightened pain sensitivity. While there is no cure, doctors can help manage symptoms through exercise, therapy, patient education, and specific medications.

Pain and SensitizationSleepCognitive Impairment

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclearCross-Sectional

A discourse analytic study of ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) sufferers' experiences of interactions with doctors.

Guise, Jennie, McVittie, Chris, McKinlay, Andy·Journal of health psychology·2010

This study looked at how ME/CFS patients describe their experiences when talking to doctors. Researchers analyzed conversations from an online support group and found that patients often feel their doctors don't listen to them or take their condition seriously. Interestingly, patients were careful about how they complained, trying to focus on practical issues rather than seeming like they were just complaining.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM not requiredEditorial

Fidelity of target site duplication and sequence preference during integration of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus.

Kim, Sanggu, Rusmevichientong, Alice, Dong, Beihua et al.·PloS one·2010

This study examined how XMRV, a virus linked to ME/CFS, inserts its genetic material into human cells. The researchers found that XMRV integrates into the host genome with high accuracy and follows a predictable pattern. Understanding how the virus integrates into our cells is an important step toward understanding how it might cause disease.

Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus in chronic fatigue syndrome and prostate cancer.

Baraniuk, James N·Current allergy and asthma reports·2010

This study examined whether a virus called XMRV might be connected to ME/CFS. Researchers found this virus in about half to two-thirds of ME/CFS patients tested, compared to only about 4% of healthy people. The virus was able to spread from patient blood to laboratory cells, raising questions about whether it could be transmitted between people.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Traditional chinese medicine for chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chen, Rui, Moriya, Junji, Yamakawa, Jun-Ichi et al.·Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM·2010

This review examines how traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) might help people with ME/CFS. The authors suggest that TCM treatments may reduce symptoms like fatigue, sleep problems, and brain fog, and may work by improving immune function and reducing oxidative stress. However, they note that current TCM research on ME/CFS has significant quality and consistency issues that need to be addressed.

E3 PreliminaryDiagnosticPEM not requiredMethods-Paper

The Hebrew version of the FibroFatigue scale: validation of a questionnaire for assessment of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ablin, Jacob N, Odes, Lisa, Neumann, Lily et al.·Rheumatology international·2010

This study tested whether a Hebrew-language questionnaire called the FibroFatigue Scale (FFS) accurately measures symptoms in fibromyalgia patients. Researchers gave 100 patients with fibromyalgia this questionnaire along with other standard symptom-measuring tools, and found that the FFS reliably detected and measured how severe their symptoms were.

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Of Mice and Men: On the Origin of XMRV.

van der Kuyl, Antoinette Cornelia, Cornelissen, Marion, Berkhout, Ben·Frontiers in microbiology·2010

This study examines XMRV, a virus that was found in some ME/CFS patients but whose existence remains hotly debated in the scientific community. The authors suggest that XMRV may have entered humans through contamination in medical products like vaccines that were made using mouse cells. They explore how this virus, which is very similar to viruses naturally found in mice, could have crossed into humans.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and related illnesses: a clinical model of assessment and intervention.

Friedberg, Fred·Journal of clinical psychology·2010

This article reviews how doctors and mental health professionals can better assess and help people with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and related conditions. The authors present a practical framework using cognitive-behavioral approaches—strategies that address both thoughts and behaviors—to improve care for patients who often feel dismissed by the medical system. The goal is to help clinicians understand why these patients experience unusual physical symptoms and provide more effective support.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Co-morbid Gastrointestinal and Extra-gastrointestinal Functional Syndromes.

Sperber, Ami D, Dekel, Roy·Journal of neurogastroenterology and motility·2010

Many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) also experience other chronic conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). When patients have IBS plus another functional disorder, their symptoms tend to be worse, they report lower quality of life, and they miss more work. This suggests these conditions may share common underlying mechanisms rather than being completely separate diseases.

Inhibition of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus by APOBEC3 proteins and antiviral drugs.

Paprotka, Tobias, Venkatachari, Narasimhan J, Chaipan, Chawaree et al.·Journal of virology·2010

This study investigated how a virus called XMRV, which has been found in some ME/CFS patients, survives and spreads in human cells. Researchers discovered that the virus can replicate more easily in certain cells that have low levels of natural antiviral proteins called APOBEC3. The study also found that some HIV medications (AZT, tenofovir, and raltegravir) can block XMRV replication in laboratory tests.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[The chronic asthenia syndrome: a clinical approach].

Young, Pablo, Finn, Bárbara C, Bruetman, Julio et al.·Medicina·2010

Fatigue is one of the most common reasons people visit doctors, affecting about 30% of patients. This article explains how doctors should think about different types of fatigue—including chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), which affects 0.2–0.7% of people. The authors emphasize that finding and treating the underlying cause is the best approach, though about 20% of patients never get a clear diagnosis.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

A qualitative exploration of adolescents' experiences of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Jelbert, Rebecca, Stedmon, Jacqui, Stephens, Alison·Clinical child psychology and psychiatry·2010

This study talked to five teenagers who had recovered from ME/CFS about what the illness was like for them. Through interviews and careful analysis of their stories, researchers found that teens experienced five common themes: trying to understand their illness, feeling a sense of loss, noticing things that seemed to make it better or worse, dealing with difficult emotions, and eventually recovering. The teens' own voices highlight that there is still much we need to learn about how this illness affects young people.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Host range and cellular tropism of the human exogenous gammaretrovirus XMRV.

Stieler, Kristin, Schulz, Claudia, Lavanya, Madakasira et al.·Virology·2010

This study examined how XMRV, a virus found in some ME/CFS patients' blood cells, infects different types of human cells. Researchers tested which cells the virus could enter and grow in, finding that it could infect various cell types including immune cells and prostate cells. The virus appeared to replicate most efficiently in prostate tissue, suggesting the virus may have preferred targets in the body.

Susceptibility of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) to retroviral restriction factors.

Groom, Harriet C T, Yap, Melvyn W, Galão, Rui Pedro et al.·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2010

Scientists studied a virus called XMRV that had been linked to ME/CFS to understand how it survives in human cells. They discovered that the body's natural antiviral defense proteins can block this virus, but XMRV does not appear to have developed ways to escape these defenses like some other viruses do. This finding helps researchers understand which cells XMRV can infect and how to design better laboratory studies of this virus.