Category: Viruses

Demonstration of Borna disease virus RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from Japanese patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

CFS, a recently named heterogeneous disorder, is an illness of unknown etiology. The association of CFS with viral infections has been suggested. A common association between CFS and several viruses examined has not been confirmed.

Here, we centered on the possible link between CFS and BDV infection. By nested RT-PCR followed by hybridization, BDV RNA was demonstrated as a clear signal in PBMCs in 3 out of 25 CFS patients. The amplified cDNA fragments were cloned and sequenced. A total of 16 clones were studied. Intra-patients divergencies of the p24 were 2-9%, 3-20%, and 3-11% in the deduced amino acids. Inter-patient divergencies among the 16 clones were 3-24%. Antibodies to recombinant BDV p24 protein were detected in 6 CFS patients including one carrying BDV RNA.

Overall, these gave the prevalence of 32% (8/25) in Japanese CFS patients, suggesting that Japanese CFS is highly associated with active infection of BDV, or a related agent.

 

Source: Nakaya T, Takahashi H, Nakamura Y, Asahi S, Tobiume M, Kuratsune H, Kitani T, Yamanishi K, Ikuta K. Demonstration of Borna disease virus RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from Japanese patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. FEBS Lett. 1996 Jan 8;378(2):145-9. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1016/0014-5793(95)01439-X/epdf (Full article)

 

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

Abstract:

Specific Human Herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) transfer factor (TF) preparation, administered to two chronic fatigue syndrome patients, inhibited the HHV-6 infection. Prior to treatment, both patients exhibited an activated HHV-6 infection. TF treatment significantly improved the clinical manifestations of CFS in one patient who resumed normal duties within weeks, whereas no clinical improvement was observed in the second patient. It is concluded that HHV-6 specific TF may be of significant value in controlling HHV-6 infection and related illnesses.

 

Source: Ablashi DV, Levine PH, De Vinci C, Whitman JE Jr, Pizza G, Viza D. Use of anti HHV-6 transfer factor for the treatment of two patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Two case reports. Biotherapy. 1996;9(1-3):81-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8993763

 

No findings of enteroviruses in Swedish patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Enteroviruses have been proposed to cause an immune complex disease in the chronic fatigue syndrome. Altogether 34 patients with the chronic fatigue syndrome, according to criteria of the Centers for Disease Control, USA, were studied evenly over the seasons for the possible presence of a chronic enterovirus infection.

In 11 patients, 1-5 faecal samples were collected at about 6 month intervals for virus isolation before and after acid treatment, followed by ultracetrifugation at pH 3 to dissolve possible enterovirus-antibody complexes. Another 14 fecal samples were subjected to routine virus isolation alone.

Seven pairs of serum-cerebrospinal fluid samples were analysed for cross-reactive IgG antibody activity to enteroviruses. In 29 patients a muscle biopsy was collected for enterovirus polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

We were unable to identify enteroviruses in any of these samples by any of these techniques. Our study does not confirm evidence for persistent enterovirus infection in the chronic fatigue syndrome.

 

Source: Lindh G, Samuelson A, Hedlund KO, Evengård B, Lindquist L, Ehrnst A. No findings of enteroviruses in Swedish patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Scand J Infect Dis. 1996;28(3):305-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8863367

 

Genetic instability and fragmentation of a stealth viral genome

Abstract:

Partial sequencing was performed on cloned DNA obtained from cultures of a stealth virus isolated from a patient with the chronic fatigue syndrome. The results extend earlier findings showing regions of homology to cytomegalovirus (CMV). Although the virus is much more closely related to simian CMV than to human CMV, many of the cloned viral segments could be aligned with the human CMV genome.

The aggregate size of the aligned segments exceeds 100 kilobase pairs (kbp). Undigested viral DNA has a mobility in agarose gel electrophoresis corresponding to approximately 20 kbp. The virus, therefore, apparently exists in multiple fragments. Considerable sequence variation exists between individual clones which overlap to similar regions of the human CMV genome.

The fragmented genome and sequence microheterogeneity suggest that both the processivity and the fidelity of replication of the viral genome are defective. An unstable viral genome may provide a potential mechanism of recovery from stealth viral illness.

 

Source: Martin WJ. Genetic instability and fragmentation of a stealth viral genome. Pathobiology. 1996;64(1):9-17. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8856790

 

Severe stealth virus encephalopathy following chronic-fatigue-syndrome-like illness: clinical and histopathological features

Abstract:

The clinical histories and brain biopsy findings of 3 patients with severe stealth virus encephalopathy are reviewed. The patients initially developed symptoms consistent with a chronic fatigue syndrome. One patient has remained in a vegetative state for several years, while the other 2 patients have shown significant, although incomplete, recovery.

Histological and electron-microscopic studies revealed vacuolated cells with distorted nuclei and various cytoplasmic inclusions suggestive of incomplete viral expression. There was no significant inflammatory response. Viral cultures provided further evidence of stealth viral infections occurring in these patients.

 

Source: Martin WJ. Severe stealth virus encephalopathy following chronic-fatigue-syndrome-like illness: clinical and histopathological features. Pathobiology. 1996;64(1):1-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8856789

 

Behavioural effects of infectious mononucleosis

Abstract:

The aim of the present study was to provide preliminary information on the acute and chronic effects of infectious mononucleosis (IM) on memory, attention, psychomotor performance and mood. These issues were examined by comparing individuals with acute IM, those who had the initial illness some months before, and matched healthy controls.

Objective measures of memory, attention, motor skills and visual functions were obtained, as were subjective reports of mood. The results showed selective effects of acute IM on performance and mood, with the profile of impairments being very similar to those observed in previous studies of influenza.

Different impairments were observed in subjects who had the primary illness several months before, and the effects observed in this group were similar to those observed in recent studies of chronic fatigue syndrome patients.

Both acute and chronic IM subjects reported similar levels of symptoms and psychopathology, with both groups having greater scores than the controls. However, the performance impairments did not reflect symptoms or psychopathology. One may conclude that the study of IM will provide important data on both the acute and longer lasting effects of viral infections on the brain and behaviour.

 

Source: Hall SR, Smith AP. Behavioural effects of infectious mononucleosis. Neuropsychobiology. 1996;33(4):202-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8840344

 

Possible correlation between Borna disease virus infection and Japanese patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Borna disease virus (BDV) is a neurotropic, as yet unclassified, non-segmented, negative-sense, single-strand RNA virus. Natural infection with this virus has been reported to occur in horses and sheep. In addition, antibodies to BDV in plasma or BDV RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were also found in patients with neuropsychiatric diseases. We describe here the possible link between the patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and infection with BDV.

 

Source: Kitani T, Kuratsune H, Fuke I, Nakamura Y, Nakaya T, Asahi S, Tobiume M, Yamaguti K, Machii T, Inagi R, Yamanishi K, Ikuta K. Possible correlation between Borna disease virus infection and Japanese patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Microbiol Immunol. 1996;40(6):459-62. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8839433

 

Epstein-Barr virus infection associated with interstitial nephritis and chronic fatigue

Abstract:

Severe renal disease in the setting of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is exceedingly rare. We report here the case of a 22-year-old man with acute EBV infection associated with severe interstitial nephritis. The patient developed chronic fatigue and chronic renal failure with a serological profile typical of primary EBV infection. Clinical improvement with anti-EBNA seroconversion occurred after acyclovir therapy. Our patient illustrates that chronic fatigue with major organ dysfunction and a serological profile of primary infection can be seen in chronic EBV infection. In such a case, acyclovir may prove beneficial.

 

Source: López-Navidad A, Domingo P, López-Talavera JC, Rabella N, Verger G. Epstein-Barr virus infection associated with interstitial nephritis and chronic fatigue. Scand J Infect Dis. 1996;28(2):185-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8792488

 

MMPI profiles of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Fifty-three patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and 43 healthy nonpatient controls completed the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). All subjects varied in their degree of seropositivity to active Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as measured by their anti-early antigen titers. EBV titers were higher among CFS patients and were associated with being more symptomatic.

Differences in patient status were associated with statistically significant elevations on 8 of 9 clinical scales, 4 of which also showed clinically significant elevations (T scores > or = 70): scales 1, 2, 3, and 8. These results are discussed in terms of their implications for intervention strategies associated with MMPI-based CFS subtypes.

 

Source: Schmaling KB, Jones JF. MMPI profiles of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. J Psychosom Res. 1996 Jan;40(1):67-74. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8730646

 

New pathogens, and diseases old and new. I) Afipia felis and Rochalimaea. II) Parvovirus B 19. III) herpesvirus 6

Abstract:

The paper describes events that in the last fifteen years, have led to the identification of the aetiological agents of three widely known diseases: cat scratch disease, erythema infectiosum and exanthem subitum. The particular features of Afipia felis and Rochalimaea, Parvovirus B 19 and Herpesvirus 6 are presented.

The paternity of new diseases (i.e. bacillary angiomatosis, bacillary peliosis hepatitis, LES-like syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, petechial glove and sock syndrome, etc.) has also been attributed to some of these pathogens as has the paternity of some older ones (i.e. aplastic crisis, erythroblastosis fetalis, trench fever, hepatitis, opportunistic infection, etc.).

It has been argued that the same pathogen can cause different diseases depending on the immunogenic state of the subject. To date, persisting difficulties in isolating the pathogen or differentiating between latent or active infection, still in some cases raises doubts concerning the attribution of the disease to a specific agent.

New immunological or molecular techniques, allowing the direct detection of in vivo replication, are still needed in order to establish a sure connection between some of these agents and some of these diseases. Progress here will both give more accurate data about the epidemiology of some diseases and allow us to apply more appropriate treatment and prevention techniques.

 

Source: Zannolli R, Morgese G. New pathogens, and diseases old and new. I) Afipia felis and Rochalimaea. II) Parvovirus B 19. III) herpesvirus 6. Panminerva Med. 1995 Dec;37(4):238-47. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8710408