Evidence browser

Detection of RNA sequences in cultures of a stealth virus isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid of a health care worker with chronic fatigue syndrome. Case report.

Martin, W J·Pathobiology : journal of immunopathology, molecular and cellular biology·1997

Researchers found a virus in the spinal fluid of a nurse with chronic fatigue syndrome. Using a genetic detection method called RT-PCR, they identified RNA sequences matching a virus previously found in monkey cells. This suggests that certain viruses associated with ME/CFS may exist in a replicating form that could be targeted by treatments.

[Chronic fatigue--'tired with 23 i's'].

van der Meer, J W, Elving, L D·Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde·1997

This study describes two patients with severe tiredness. One woman had chronic fatigue syndrome and improved slowly over time, while one man's exhaustion was caused by a treatable pituitary gland tumor that was removed surgically. The doctors emphasize that it's important to thoroughly examine patients to find out if something else is causing their tiredness before diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

In vitro effects of echinacea and ginseng on natural killer and antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity in healthy subjects and chronic fatigue syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients.

See, D M, Broumand, N, Sahl, L et al.·Immunopharmacology·1997

This study tested whether two herbal supplements—echinacea and ginseng—could boost immune cells taken from healthy people and patients with ME/CFS or HIV/AIDS. Researchers found that both herbs increased the activity of natural killer cells and antibody-dependent immune responses in blood samples from all three groups. While the results suggest these herbs may help activate certain immune functions, this was a laboratory experiment using cells in a dish, not a study of people taking the supplements.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

[Chronic fatigue syndrome].

van der Meer, J W·Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde·1997

This review examines different theories about what causes ME/CFS, ranging from persistent infections and metabolic problems to psychiatric factors. While many potential causes have been proposed—including lingering infections, toxins, immune system problems, nervous system dysfunction, and hormone imbalances—none have been definitively proven. The authors note that psychological factors play an important role in how the illness develops and can be helpful in treating patients.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Biochemical evidence for a novel low molecular weight 2-5A-dependent RNase L in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Suhadolnik, R J, Peterson, D L, O'Brien, K et al.·Journal of interferon & cytokine research : the official journal of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research·1997

This study examined a specific immune system protein called RNase L in people with ME/CFS. Researchers found that people with ME/CFS had unusual forms of this protein that were different sizes and worked differently than those in healthy people, suggesting their antiviral defense system may be malfunctioning in a previously unknown way.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

[Multiple chemical sensitivity disorder in patients with neurotoxic illnesses].

Lohmann, K, Pröhl, A, Schwarz, E·Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany))·1996

This study looked at 466 people who had neurological symptoms from toxic chemical exposure and found that 136 of them also had Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)—a condition where people react strongly to low levels of chemicals. The researchers found that wood preservatives, solvents, and formaldehyde were common culprits, and people with MCS were more likely to have chronic fatigue symptoms and allergies than those without MCS.

Pain and Sensitization

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM not requiredObservational

[Neural manifestations in Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis of the nervous system)].

Josević, M, Nikolić, S, Dulović, O et al.·Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo·1996

This study looked at how Lyme disease can affect the nervous system, a condition called neuroborreliosis. Researchers reviewed 11 patients treated for Lyme disease and found that it can cause various nerve problems including meningitis, facial paralysis, nerve inflammation, and fatigue syndrome. The study helps explain how widely Lyme disease can spread throughout the body and what symptoms patients might experience.

E3 PreliminaryGuidelinePEM not requiredGuideline

Chronic fatigue syndrome. Summary of a report of a joint committee of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Psychiatrists and General Practitioners.

Wessely, S·Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London·1996

This report from major medical colleges explains that ME/CFS is not caused by a single problem, but rather results from many different factors working together. The condition develops differently in different people, depending on what triggered it initially, what made them vulnerable to it, and what keeps it going. Understanding all these different pieces is important for helping patients recover.

E3 PreliminaryCohortPEM unclear

[A case from practice (343). Chronic fatigue syndrome following Lyme borreliosis].

Diamantis, I·Praxis·1996

This case study describes a patient who developed chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) following a Lyme borreliosis infection (transmitted by tick bite). The report documents one person's experience, showing how a tick-borne infection may have triggered or contributed to the development of ME/CFS symptoms.

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Genetic instability and fragmentation of a stealth viral genome.

Martin, W J·Pathobiology : journal of immunopathology, molecular and cellular biology·1996

Researchers studied a virus found in a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and discovered it has an unusual fragmented structure with many genetic errors. The virus appears to be related to cytomegalovirus but is much less organized, splitting into small pieces rather than staying intact. These genetic defects in the virus might actually help the body fight it off and recover from illness.

Use of anti HHV-6 transfer factor for the treatment of two patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Two case reports.

Ablashi, D V, Levine, P H, De Vinci, C et al.·Biotherapy (Dordrecht, Netherlands)·1996

This small study tested whether a special immune treatment called transfer factor, designed to target HHV-6 (a virus that may be active in some ME/CFS patients), could help. Two ME/CFS patients with active HHV-6 infection received this treatment. One patient improved significantly and returned to normal activities within weeks, but the other patient saw no improvement. The results suggest this treatment might help control HHV-6 in some patients, but more research is needed.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM unclearReview-Narrative

Viral arthritis.

Schnitzer, T J, Penmetcha, M·Current opinion in rheumatology·1996

This review examines how viral infections can cause joint pain and arthritis. Researchers found that several viruses—including hepatitis C, parvovirus B19, and those in certain vaccines—may trigger arthritis in some people. Interestingly, the study noted a negative association between parvovirus B19 and chronic fatigue syndrome, suggesting these conditions may not be closely linked.

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Riedel's thyroiditis: treatment with tamoxifen.

Few, J, Thompson, N W, Angelos, P et al.·Surgery·1996

Riedel's thyroiditis is a rare disease where fibrous tissue hardens in the thyroid gland, causing breathing problems, difficulty swallowing, and chronic fatigue. This small study found that four patients with this condition improved significantly when treated with a drug called tamoxifen, even though surgery and steroid medications had not worked well before.

The history and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Ross, E·Nursing times·1996

This article reviews the history of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and how it has been treated over time. ME/CFS is a real illness that affects 1 to 2.5 out of every 100 people. The article explains what doctors look for when diagnosing ME/CFS and describes the important role nurses play in helping patients manage and treat their condition.