ME/CFS Evidence Browser — Classified Studies on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis

601–620 of 1,198 studies

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

No association of HLA class II antigens in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Middleton, D, Savage, D A, Smith, D G·Disease markers·1991

This study examined whether certain immune system markers called HLA class II antigens were associated with ME/CFS. Researchers compared these markers in people with ME/CFS and healthy controls. The study found no link between these particular immune markers and ME/CFS, suggesting that HLA class II antigens are not a defining feature of the condition.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Virology laboratory diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

McLaughlin, B·Canada diseases weekly report = Rapport hebdomadaire des maladies au Canada·1991

This 1991 study examined how laboratory tests using virology (the study of viruses) could help diagnose ME/CFS. The research looked at whether finding certain viruses in patients' blood or other samples could confirm whether someone has ME/CFS. This was an important early step in trying to understand if viruses play a role in this illness.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCase-Control

Chronic fatigue syndrome: I. Epstein-Barr virus immune response and molecular epidemiology.

Jones, J F, Streib, J, Baker, S et al.·Journal of medical virology·1991

This study looked at how the immune system responds to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people who have been infected with EBV. Researchers found that immune cells from ME/CFS patients were much more likely to grow uncontrollably in the lab (30% vs 8%), and patients showed more signs of active viral infection in their blood. These findings suggest that some ME/CFS patients may have difficulty controlling EBV reactivation.

Immune System

E2 ModerateReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Chronic fatigue syndrome in northern Nevada.

Daugherty, S A, Henry, B E, Peterson, D L et al.·Reviews of infectious diseases·1991

Between 1984 and 1988, doctors in northern Nevada identified over 400 patients with ME/CFS and found a common pattern of symptoms and lab abnormalities in those who were moderately to severely ill. The pattern included extreme fatigue, sore throats, memory and concentration problems, muscle pain, and specific changes in immune system markers and brain imaging. Some patients experienced more serious problems like seizures or cognitive decline.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Epstein-Barr antibody titer and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Powell, M A·Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners·1990

This study looked at whether people with ME/CFS have higher levels of antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (a common virus that causes mononucleosis) compared to healthy people. Researchers measured these antibody levels in patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome to see if there was a connection between past or ongoing EBV infection and the development of ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredObservational

Immunologic abnormalities in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Klimas, N G, Salvato, F R, Morgan, R et al.·Journal of clinical microbiology·1990

This study examined immune system markers in 30 ME/CFS patients and compared them to healthy controls. Researchers found that patients had multiple immune system abnormalities, with the most consistent problem being that natural killer cells—white blood cells that fight infections and cancer—were not working properly, even though patients had more of these cells than normal. Patients also showed reduced responses to immune stimulation and changes in other types of immune cells.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearObservational

Immunoglobulin subclass abnormalities in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Wakefield, D, Lloyd, A, Brockman, A·The Pediatric infectious disease journal·1990

This study examined whether people with ME/CFS have unusual patterns in their antibodies—proteins the immune system makes to fight infection. Researchers looked at different types of antibodies in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy people. The findings suggested that ME/CFS patients may have immune system imbalances that differ from the general population.

Immune System

E2 ModerateReviewPEM not requiredReview-Narrative

Fibromyalgia and its relation to chronic fatigue syndrome, viral illness and immune abnormalities.

Goldenberg, D L·The Journal of rheumatology. Supplement·1989

This study compared fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, two conditions that can feel similar to patients. Researchers found that most people with ME/CFS had tender points in their muscles similar to fibromyalgia patients. They also noted that both conditions may share similar underlying causes related to viral infections and how the immune system responds.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM not requiredCross-Sectional

Immunological abnormalities in the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Lloyd, A R, Wakefield, D, Boughton, C R et al.·The Medical journal of Australia·1989

This study compared the immune systems of 100 ME/CFS patients with 100 healthy people to see if immune problems might explain why ME/CFS causes such severe fatigue. Researchers found that ME/CFS patients had fewer immune cells and weaker immune responses than healthy people. These findings suggest that problems with how the immune system works may be involved in causing ME/CFS.

Immune System

E2 ModerateCohortPEM unclearCase-Control

Cell-mediated immunity in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis syndrome.

Murdoch, J C·The New Zealand medical journal·1988

This study tested immune system function in 33 ME/CFS patients compared to 33 healthy people of similar age and sex. Researchers used a skin test device called the multitest CMI to measure how well the immune system responded. They found that ME/CFS patients had weaker immune responses than healthy controls, suggesting their T-cells (a key type of immune cell) may not be working normally.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearCross-Sectional

Exploring a genetic basis for the metabolic perturbations in ME/CFS using UK biobank.

Huang, Katherine, Muneeb, Muhammad, Thomas, Natalie et al.·iScience·2026

Researchers examined blood samples from nearly 900 ME/CFS patients to understand how genes influence metabolism in this condition. They found that people with ME/CFS have different genetic patterns affecting fat and lipid metabolism compared to healthy people, particularly involving genes related to immune function. These genetic differences may help explain why ME/CFS affects different people in different ways.

Energy MetabolismImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Genetic depletion of the early autophagy protein ATG13 impairs mitochondrial energy metabolism, augments oxidative stress, induces the polarization of macrophages to the M1 inflammatory mode, and compromises myelin integrity in skeletal muscle.

Toriola, Mubaraq A, Timlin, Emma, Bulbule, Sarojini et al.·Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]·2026

This study examined a protein called ATG13 that helps cells clean up damaged parts, particularly in immune cells called macrophages. When ATG13 was reduced, these immune cells couldn't work properly, their energy-producing structures (mitochondria) became dysfunctional, and they created too much harmful oxidative stress. This triggered the immune cells to switch into an inflammatory state and caused muscle weakness and nerve damage in a mouse model.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryReviewPEM requiredReview-Narrative

Virus-induced endothelial senescence as a cause and driving factor for ME/CFS and long COVID: mediated by a dysfunctional immune system.

Nunes, Massimo, Kell, Loren, Slaghekke, Anouk et al.·Cell death & disease·2026

This study proposes that ME/CFS and long COVID may be caused by damage to the blood vessels (endothelial cells) that occurs after a viral infection. When these cells become damaged and 'senescent' (aged), they release harmful substances that cause inflammation, blood clots, and reduced blood flow to the brain and other organs. The study suggests that a faulty immune system keeps these damaged blood vessels from healing, which is why symptoms persist for months or years after the initial infection.

Immune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Genetic Insights into Circulating Complement Proteins in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Potential Inflammatory Subgroup.

Maya, Jessica, Unger, Elizabeth R, Lin, Jin-Mann S et al.·International journal of molecular sciences·2026

This study examined whether genes influence how the immune system's complement proteins work in ME/CFS patients. Researchers found that some ME/CFS patients carry specific genetic variations linked to problems with a particular immune pathway (the alternative complement pathway), creating a subgroup with distinctive immune patterns. This suggests that genetics may explain why ME/CFS affects people differently and could eventually help doctors identify which patients might benefit from specific treatments.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM unclearEditorial

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID as Neuroimmune Disorders.

Blitshteyn, Svetlana, Doherty, Taylor A, Steinman, Lawrence·ImmunoTargets and therapy·2026

This editorial argues that three related conditions—POTS, ME/CFS, and Long COVID—should be understood and studied together as disorders affecting both the nervous system and immune system. The authors identify several common problems in these conditions, including heart rate abnormalities when standing, immune system dysfunction, and reduced blood flow to the brain. They believe treating these as a single category of disease could improve how doctors train, research, and care for patients with these serious illnesses.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryCommentaryPEM requiredEditorial

Expert perspectives on Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - Insights from the 3rd International Conference of the Charité Fatigue Center.

Fehrer, Annick, Windzio, Lara, Schoening, Simon et al.·Autoimmunity reviews·2026

Nearly 4,000 ME/CFS researchers and experts gathered at an international conference in May 2025 to share the latest discoveries about this serious illness. They discussed how ME/CFS develops, better ways to diagnose it, and new treatments being tested. The conference highlighted that while COVID-19 has brought more attention and funding to ME/CFS research, the disease is still not well understood and needs much more study.

Energy MetabolismImmune SystemPost-Exertional Malaise

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM requiredMechanistic

Deficient TRPM3-linked mitochondrial Ca2+ influx in natural killer cells associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Magawa, Chandi Tabeth, Eaton-Fitch, Natalie, Muraki, Katsuhiko et al.·BMC immunology·2026

Researchers compared immune cells called natural killer cells from people with ME/CFS and healthy controls, focusing on how calcium moves in and out of these cells. They observed that calcium entry into cells was reduced in ME/CFS, but calcium accumulation in the energy-producing part of the cell (mitochondria) was higher. This is a preliminary finding from a small study that may help explain some immune dysfunction in ME/CFS, but much more research is needed before drawing conclusions about what this means for patients.

BiomarkersImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM not requiredMechanistic

Immunomodulatory and locomotor regulations via Diosgenin treatment in lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/ depressive despair symptom: an in vivo assessment.

Shirole, Rahul Lotan, Khalane, Mohan Rajendra, Nage, Vijayeta Pralhad et al.·Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology·2026

This study tested a natural compound called diosgenin (found in fenugreek) to see if it could help with fatigue and depression-like symptoms in mice given a substance that triggered an immune response similar to what happens in ME/CFS. Mice treated with diosgenin showed improvements in activity levels, reduced fatigue-like behavior, and their brains had less inflammation and stress. The results suggest diosgenin might be worth investigating further as a potential treatment.

NeuroinflammationImmune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Single-cell analysis reveals immune remodeling of monocytes, NK cells, T cell exhaustion, and Galectin-9-associated depletion of gamma delta and mucosal-associated invariant T cells in Long COVID with ME/CFS.

Shahbaz, Shima, Bozorgmehr, Najmeh, Rahmati, Amirhossein et al.·Frontiers in immunology·2026

Researchers analyzed immune cells from Long COVID patients with ME/CFS symptoms one year after COVID-19 infection and compared them to people who recovered normally. They found that Long COVID patients have significant problems with multiple immune cell types: fewer protective T cells, exhausted immune cells, and excessive inflammation markers. Interestingly, Long COVID patients showed different immune changes compared to people with ME/CFS from other causes, suggesting Long COVID may damage the immune system in a distinct way.

Immune System

E3 PreliminaryMechanismPEM unclearMechanistic

Immunoglobulin G complexes from post-infectious ME/CFS, including post-COVID ME/CFS disrupt cellular energetics and alter inflammatory marker secretion.

Liu, Zheng, Hollmann, Claudia, Kalanidhi, Sharada et al.·Brain, behavior, & immunity - health·2026

This study found that antibodies (immune proteins) from ME/CFS patients can damage the mitochondria—the energy-producing parts of cells—and change how cells function. Researchers isolated antibodies from ME/CFS patients and added them to healthy cells in the lab, discovering that these antibodies caused changes in cell energy production and inflammation. This suggests that abnormal antibodies may be part of what makes ME/CFS patients feel exhausted and unwell.

Immune System

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Evidence Atlas

Evidence browser

No association of HLA class II antigens in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Virology laboratory diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome: I. Epstein-Barr virus immune response and molecular epidemiology.

Chronic fatigue syndrome in northern Nevada.

Epstein-Barr antibody titer and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Immunologic abnormalities in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Immunoglobulin subclass abnormalities in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Fibromyalgia and its relation to chronic fatigue syndrome, viral illness and immune abnormalities.

Immunological abnormalities in the chronic fatigue syndrome.

Cell-mediated immunity in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis syndrome.

Exploring a genetic basis for the metabolic perturbations in ME/CFS using UK biobank.

Genetic depletion of the early autophagy protein ATG13 impairs mitochondrial energy metabolism, augments oxidative stress, induces the polarization of macrophages to the M1 inflammatory mode, and compromises myelin integrity in skeletal muscle.

Virus-induced endothelial senescence as a cause and driving factor for ME/CFS and long COVID: mediated by a dysfunctional immune system.

Genetic Insights into Circulating Complement Proteins in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Potential Inflammatory Subgroup.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID as Neuroimmune Disorders.

Expert perspectives on Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - Insights from the 3rd International Conference of the Charité Fatigue Center.

Deficient TRPM3-linked mitochondrial Ca2+ influx in natural killer cells associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.

Immunomodulatory and locomotor regulations via Diosgenin treatment in lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)/ depressive despair symptom: an in vivo assessment.

Single-cell analysis reveals immune remodeling of monocytes, NK cells, T cell exhaustion, and Galectin-9-associated depletion of gamma delta and mucosal-associated invariant T cells in Long COVID with ME/CFS.

Immunoglobulin G complexes from post-infectious ME/CFS, including post-COVID ME/CFS disrupt cellular energetics and alter inflammatory marker secretion.

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