Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Human Herpesviruses Are Back!

Overview

Journal Biomolecules

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2021 Feb 12

PMID 33572802

Citations 29

Authors

Maria Eugenia Ariza

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) or Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID) is a chronic multisystem illness of unconfirmed etiology. There are currently no biomarkers and/or signatures available to assist in the diagnosis of the syndrome and while numerous mechanisms have been hypothesized to explain the pathology of ME/CFS, the triggers and/or drivers remain unknown. Initial studies suggested a potential role of the human herpesviruses especially Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the disease process but inconsistent and conflicting data led to the erroneous suggestion that these viruses had no role in the syndrome. New studies using more advanced approaches have now demonstrated that specific proteins encoded by EBV could contribute to the immune and neurological abnormalities exhibited by a subgroup of patients with ME/CFS. Elucidating the role of these herpesvirus proteins in ME/CFS may lead to the identification of specific biomarkers and the development of novel therapeutics.

Citing Articles

A network medicine approach to investigating ME/CFS pathogenesis in severely ill patients: a pilot study.

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Blood virome research in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: challenges and opportunities.

Obraitis D, Li D Curr Opin Virol. 2024; 68-69:101437.

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Human herpesvirus reactivation and its potential role in the pathogenesis of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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Data-independent LC-MS/MS analysis of ME/CFS plasma reveals a dysregulated coagulation system, endothelial dysfunction, downregulation of complement machinery.

Nunes M, Vlok M, Proal A, Kell D, Pretorius E Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2024; 23(1):254.

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The German Multicenter Registry for ME/CFS (MECFS-R).

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