Viral cause excluded for chronic fatigue syndrome

By Helen Albert, Senior medwireNews Reporter

New research suggests that chronic fatigue syndrome does not occur as a result of infection with xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) or polytropic murine leukemia virus (pMLV).

The results contradict those of previous research that implicated the two viruses as potential causative factors for the disorder.

"The bottom line is we found no evidence of infection with XMRV and pMLV. These results refute any correlation between these agents and disease," commented study author Ian Lipkin (Columbia University, New York, USA) in a press statement.

To test the validity of the previous study findings, Lipkin and colleagues carried out a blinded analysis of peripheral blood samples taken from 147 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, aged between 18 and 70 years, from six areas across the USA and 146 healthy controls of a similar age, gender, ethnicity, blood sampling season, and geographic residence to the patients.

As reported in mBio, no evidence of increased XMRV or pMLV infection was observed in the blood of any of the chronic fatigue syndrome patients compared with controls, although nine patient and nine control samples were positive for XMRV/pMLV-positive antibodies.

To confirm that the diagnostic tests were accurate, separate positive and negative samples were analyzed using the same methods.

"We've tested the XMRV/pMLV hypothesis and found it wanting," commented Lipkin, but "we are not abandoning the patients. We are not abandoning the science. The controversy brought a new focus that will drive efforts to understand chronic fatigue syndrome and lead to improvements in diagnosis, prevention and treatment of this syndrome."

The team continues to investigate the pathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome using deep sequencing and proteomics to search for novel pathogens and biomarkers that may be associated with the condition.

"We remain committed to investigating the pathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome and to ensuring that the focus on this complex syndrome is maintained," they emphasize.

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