Tag: animals

Insights into Metabolite Diagnostic Biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Abstract:

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a persistent and unexplained pathological state characterized by exertional and severely debilitating fatigue, with/without infectious or neuropsychiatric symptoms, and with a minimum duration of 6 consecutive months. Its pathogenesis is not fully understood. There are no firmly established diagnostic biomarkers or treatment, due to incomplete understanding of the etiology of ME/CFS and diagnostic uncertainty. Establishing a biomarker for the objective diagnosis is urgently needed to treat a lot of patients. Recently, research on ME/CFS using metabolome analysis methods has been increasing. Here, we overview recent findings concerning the metabolic features in patients with ME/CFS and the animal models which contribute to the development of diagnostic biomarkers for ME/CFS and its treatment. In addition, we discuss future perspectives of studies on ME/CFS.

Source: Yamano E, Watanabe Y, Kataoka Y. Insights into Metabolite Diagnostic Biomarkers for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Mar 26;22(7):3423. doi: 10.3390/ijms22073423. PMID: 33810365. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33810365/

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) associated with Staphylococcus spp. bacteremia, responsive to potassium arsenite 0.5% in a veterinary surgeon and his coworking wife, handling with CFS animal cases

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in human patients remain a controversial and perplexing condition with emerging zoonotic aspects. Recent advances in human medicine seem to indicate a bacterial etiology and the condition has already been described in horses, dogs, cats and birds of prey in association with micrococci-like organisms in the blood.

To evaluate the possibility of a chronic bacteremia, a veterinary surgeon (the author) and his coworking wife, both diagnosed with CFS and meeting the CDC working case definition, were submitted to rapid blood cultures and fresh blood smears investigations.

Blood cultures proved Staph-positive and micrococci-like organisms in the blood were repeatedly observed in the 3-year period preceding the arsenical therapy, during which several medicaments, including antibiotics, proved unsuccessful. Following treatment with a low dosage arsenical drug (potassium arsenite 0.5%, im., 1 ml/12 h, for 10 days) both patients experienced complete remission. At the post-treatment control made 1 month later, micrococci had disappeared from the blood, and the CD4/CD8 ratio was raising.

 

Source: Tarello W. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) associated with Staphylococcus spp. bacteremia, responsive to potassium arsenite 0.5% in a veterinary surgeon and his coworking wife, handling with CFS animal cases. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2001 Oct;24(4):233-46. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11561958

 

Chronic fatigue, arthralgia, and malaise

A 25 year old female veterinary nurse presented with a six year history of general malaise and severe fatigue. Associated with this she described frequent (monthly) episodes of polyarthralgia affecting all joints but with a predilection for the small joints of the hands and the wrists. When present this was accompanied by mild morning stiffness. In addition she experienced colicky abdominal pain, sometimes with diarrhoea, occasionally with blood mixed with her faeces. Other complaints consisted of low back pain, sore gritty eyes, and an inability to perform any physical exercise at the time of these symptoms. Her symptoms had been remarkably consistent, with no recent change to their pattern.

Six years ago she had been on a working holiday at a veterinary practice situated in New York state, USA. After eating a dish made with “blue fish” she had immediately developed severe nausea, vomiting, and malaise. Although all her acute symptoms resolved, her other symptoms started on return to the United Kingdom. She was investigated twice, at different hospitals, before being referred to this department. It had been found that her symptoms were helped by treatment with 30 mg prednisolone daily for the severe episodes and a maintenance dose of 5 mg daily. Severe episodes were occurring three to four times a year. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sulphasalazine, and other treatments of inflammatory bowel disease had not helped her symptoms. On all occasions the examination and investigations had been reported as normal including markers of inflammation, connective tissue disease, and radiological and histological gastrointestinal studies. No blood had been seen in her faeces. No diagnosis was made other than a seronegative arthralgia.

You can read the rest of this article here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1010225/pdf/annrheumd00353-0014.pdf

 

Source: Gompels MM, Spickett GP. Chronic fatigue, arthralgia, and malaise. Ann Rheum Dis. 1996 Aug;55(8):502-3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1010225/

 

Are cytokines associated with neuropsychiatric syndromes in humans?

Abstract:

Traditional aetiological models in neuropsychiatry have placed little emphasis on the abnormal behavioural responses (decreased psychomotor activity, anorexia, weight loss, decreased social exploration and sexual behaviour, impaired cognitive function and increased somnolence) that are common to both psychiatric syndromes, notably depression, and the illness behaviour of sick animals.

In recent years, the possible role of cytokines, as mediators of not only the immunological and metabolic responses to infection and inflammation but also a co-ordinated behavioural response, has been described. Further, a range of possible mechanisms for these effects has been postulated, notably involving corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and prostaglandins of the E series (PgE) with the central nervous system (CNS).

Here we outline a series of human clinical conditions where neuropsychiatric syndromes co-occur with a host response to infection or inflammation. These may be characterized by cytokine production (e.g. acute, recurrent and chronic viral illness, systemic autoimmune diseases and chronic fatigue syndrome).

Other clinical situations characterized by exposure to or in vivo production of cytokines (e.g. treatment of chronic infections and malignancies, progression and/or recurrence of malignancies) are also discussed.

We postulate that the stereotyped behavioural repertoire observed is mediated by cytokine-dependent mechanisms within the CNS. Systematic studies of the behavioural responses of such patient groups are suggested, noting specifically correlations between the time course and severity of immune and neuroendocrine and behavioural responses and dose-response effects.

 

Source: Hickie I, Lloyd A. Are cytokines associated with neuropsychiatric syndromes in humans? Int J Immunopharmacol. 1995 Aug;17(8):677-83. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8847162