The mechanisms and pathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome are unknown. infection by viruses and pathogenic bacteria, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis abnormalities, immune dysfunction as well as psychological and psychosocial factors. Athough it is unclear which factors are a cause, or consequence, of CFS, various models are proposed.
A 2009 study suggests a link between the retrovirus xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) and chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers identified DNA of the virus in the blood of 68 of 101 patients (67%) compared to 8 of 218 (3.7%) of healthy controls, and reported the ability to infect cell cultures in vitro with XMRV from activated cells or plasma derived from CFS patients. A prior claim of retroviral associations with CFS was subsequently negated.
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