Does a Retrovirus Cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

A gammaretrovirus, XMRV, has been identified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with CFS.

Although recognized clinically for more than 20 years, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has been a perplexing disorder without a clearly defined etiology. Prompted by recent reports that a gammaretrovirus, xenotropic murine leukemia virus–related virus (XMRV), was found in the tumor tissue of some prostate cancer patients, and the recognition that both XMRV-positive prostate cancer and CFS have been linked to alterations in an antiviral enzyme, investigators conducted studies to determine whether this retrovirus might also be present in CFS patients.

DNA from XMRV was detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples from 68 of 101 CFS patients (67%) and 8 of 218 healthy controls (4%). Using monoclonal antibody–based flow cytometry …

Reviewing Author

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Richard T. Ellison III, MD

Disclosures

Consult/Advisory BoardAcurx Pharmaceuticals, LLC;

Grant/Research SupportDoctors Company Foundation, Massachusetts Department of Public Health