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Review
. 2018 Oct 1;16(1):268.
doi: 10.1186/s12967-018-1644-y.

Chronic viral infections in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

Santa Rasa  1 , Zaiga Nora-Krukle  1 , Nina Henning  2 , Eva Eliassen  2 , Evelina Shikova  3 , Thomas Harrer  4 , Carmen Scheibenbogen  5 , Modra Murovska  1 , Bhupesh K Prusty  6   7 ; European Network on ME/CFS (EUROMENE)
Affiliations
Review

Chronic viral infections in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

Santa Rasa et al. J Transl Med. .

Abstract

Background and main text: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex and controversial clinical condition without having established causative factors. Increasing numbers of cases during past decade have created awareness among patients as well as healthcare professionals. Chronic viral infection as a cause of ME/CFS has long been debated. However, lack of large studies involving well-designed patient groups and validated experimental set ups have hindered our knowledge about this disease. Moreover, recent developments regarding molecular mechanism of pathogenesis of various infectious agents cast doubts over validity of several of the past studies.

Conclusions: This review aims to compile all the studies done so far to investigate various viral agents that could be associated with ME/CFS. Furthermore, we suggest strategies to better design future studies on the role of viral infections in ME/CFS.

Keywords: Biomarkers; ME/CFS; Viral infections.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic diagram showing various viral pathogens potentially associated with ME/CFS and possible molecular mechanisms altered by these pathogens that can contribute to ME/CFS development
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

References

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