Recent Research
Research articles
2011 Research on Immune Abnormalities in ME/CFS
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- Last Updated: 25 November 2015 25 November 2015
An important research paper investigating immunological abnormalities in ME/CFS was published in the May 2011 issue of the Journal of Translational Medicine. The paper, "Immunological abnormalities as potential biomarkers in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis", was authored by a team of scientists at Bond University in Australia and by Dr. Nancy Klimas, a respected and long-time ME/CFS researcher in Florida.
The study is one of the most recent, major research papers investigating detailed immunological abnormalities and functioning in ME/CFS. The study builds on two decades of past research into impaired immune function in the illness, but also presents some new findings regarding certain immune processes.
Moreover, the 52 citations of major research papers present an important review of research bearing on immunological abnormalities in ME/CFS.
The study included 95 Australian subjects who met the 1994 CDC criteria for CFS and 50 qualified healthy controls. It found that ME/CFS patients had significantly higher levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) and two pro-inflammatory cytokines gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as well as increases in CD4+CD25+ T-cells and expression of FoxP3 by T regulatory cells and VPACR2.
Previous ME/CFS research has indicated a shift in patients' immune response from the TH-1 to the TH-2 system. This study documented anomalies in both systems with a resulting imbalance between the systems. However, "...increases in IL-10 [TH-2] are suggestive of a chronic infectious state..." and "...increased levels of IL-10, IFN-γ [TH-1] and TNF-α indicate the presence of a fungal, bacterial, or viral infection."
One previous study found decreases CD8+ T-cell activity when comparing ME/CFS patients with healthy controls. Previous studies also found that cytotoxic activity of natural kill cells (NK) and CD8+T cells and NK phenotypes, in particular the CD56bright NK-cells, were significantly decreased in ME/CFS patients. Both of these findings were confirmed in this study.
Therefore, the researchers asserted"...Reduced cytotoxic activity may...be an important component in the immune dysregulation seen in ME/CFS."
The authors conclude, "These results illustrate a severely compromised immunomodulation mechanism in ME/CFS where attempts to regulate and restore immune homeostasis appear to be impaired."
Please click the link for the ProHealth summary by the authors.
Clinical Guides for ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia
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- Last Updated: 25 November 2015 25 November 2015
These clinical guides are suitable for both clinicians and patients, and are highly recommended.
Clinical Guides for ME/CFS in adults
"ME/CFS: A Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners, An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document," by Bruce Carruthers, M.D. and M. I. van de Sande, c 2005-2006 (28 pp.) This is an excellent overview for physicians with practical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, based on the 2003 Canadian Consensus Document.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome—Assessment and Treatment of Patients with ME/CFS: Clinical Guidelines for Psychiatrists, Eleanor Stein MD FRCP(C), c 2010.
Understanding CFS/ME and how to distinguish it from primary depression and anxiety disorders; guidelines for treating depression and anxiety in the context of CFS/ME; understanding the psychological issues commonly seen in CFS/ME; special sections on children and adolescents and drug sensitivities commonly seen in CFS/ME patients.
CFS-ME Guide for Pharmacists, Janice Sumpton, RPh, BSc.Phm, c 2008, Fall Update 2009 (12 pp.)
Written by a pharmacist, but basically an overview of diagnosis, management, and treatment of the illness which could be helpful to any health care professional, also based on the Canadian Consensus Document. FM-CFS Canada home page.
Clinical/Educational Guide for ME/CFS in children and adolescents
TEACH-ME: A SOURCEBOOK FOR TEACHERS OF YOUNG PEOPLE with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)
by Dr. Bruce M. Carruthers with Dr. David S. Bell Second Edition, c 2005 (129 pp.) This online booklet covers the basics of both ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia in young people: medical aspects, the impact of these illnesses on the young person and their family, the consequences to schoolwork and practical approaches to educational planning.
Clinical Guides for fibromyalgia
"Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Clinical Case Definition and Guidelines for Medical Practitioners, An Overview of the Canadian Consensus Document", by Bruce Carruthers, M.D. and M. I. van de Sande, c 2005-2006 (30 pp.) This is an excellent overview for physicians with practical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, based on the Canadian Consensus Document.
FM Guide for Pharmacists, by Janice Sumpton, RPh, BSc.Phm, c 2008, Fall Update 2009 (12 pp.) Written by a pharmacist, but basically an overview of diagnosis, management, and treatment of the illness which could be helpful to any health care professional, also based on the Canadian Consensus Document. FM-CFS Canada home page
XMRV Update
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- Last Updated: 24 November 2015 24 November 2015
There has been much controversy over whether the newly found XMRV virus infects humans and whether it is a causal agent of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has now undertaken a multi-center study to investigate why results in other studies differed so much, whether those studies actually duplicated the methods of the initial study, and whether positive study results were the result of contaminated reagents. It may take a year or more to learn the results.
Therefore, rather than posting every new article on the XMRV controversy, we are offering links that give a very comprehensive timeline and overall picture.
At Phoenix Rising, this link explains some of the history of XMRV.
More Articles ...
Notice about names
The Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association would like to clarify the use of the various acronyms for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Chronic Fatigue & Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) on this site. When we generate our own articles on the illness, we will refer to it as ME/CFS, the term now generally used in the United States. When we are reporting on someone else’s report, we will use the term they use. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other federal agencies, including the CDC, are currently using ME/CFS.
Massachusetts ME/CFS & FM Association changed its name in July, 2018, to reflect this consensus.