Immune responses associated with chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study

Abstract:

An exploratory case-control study was conducted to assess whether the many reported differences in the immune function of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients are detectable in rigorously defined cases of CFS. Although many studies have reported differences between cases and controls in various measures of immune function, none of these differences were found in all studies.

In this study, no differences were found in white blood cell numbers; immune complex, complement, or serum immunoglobulin levels; delayed type hypersensitivity and allergic responses; NK cell function; and proliferative responses to mitogens and antigens. Marginal differences were detected in cytokine responses and in cell surface markers in the total CFS population.

However, when the patients were subgrouped by type of disease onset (gradual or sudden) or by how well they were feeling on the day of testing, more pronounced differences were seen

 

Source: Mawle AC, Nisenbaum R, Dobbins JG, Gary HE Jr, Stewart JA, Reyes M, Steele L, Schmid DS, Reeves WC. Immune responses associated with chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study. J Infect Dis. 1997 Jan;175(1):136-41. http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/175/1/136.long (Full article)

 

Seroepidemiology of chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study

Abstract:

We performed serological testing for a large number of infectious agents in 26 patients from Atlanta who had chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and in 50 controls matched by age, race, and sex. We did not find any agent associated with CFS. In addition, we did not find elevated levels of antibody to any of a wide range of agents examined. In particular, we did not find elevated titers of antibody to any herpesvirus, nor did we find evidence of enteroviral exposure in this group of patients.

 

Source: Mawle AC, Nisenbaum R, Dobbins JG, Gary HE Jr, Stewart JA, Reyes M, Steele L, Schmid DS, Reeves WC. Seroepidemiology of chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-control study. Clin Infect Dis. 1995 Dec;21(6):1386-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8749620